Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: David G. STARKWEATHER ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, April 2008 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Death of David G. Starkweather Our community was startled Friday morning last at the sudden and unexpected announcement of the death of Mr. D. G. Starkweather, the day telegraph operator at this place. He had complained during the previous day of not feeling quite as well as usual, and applied to Dr. Beebe for medicine, for dyspesia, and as no examination was made, neither himself nor the Dr. apprehended any serious consequences arising from his complaint. He was boarding at Hon. L. T. Pullen's and roomed with three others, viz. D. C. Waldo, P. C. Wilder and Geo. L. Pullen. During the early part of the night he took his medicine as prescribed; at 11 o'clock he got up, blew out the light, and retired again. He seemed to lie quietly, and slept until about 3:10 a.m., when he awoke with considerable pain in his breast, and commenced rubbing himself; he immediately arouse his room mates, who came to his assistance, one of them going for the Dr., while the others, assisted by Mr. Pullen's people, did what they could to relieve his suffering. An instant before his death he said, "There, the pain has left me: Mr. Pullen replying, "I'm afraid it will return again;" David said, "It has staid away longer this time than it has before since it commenced." He then sank back gradually like one fainting, and immediately expired, without a groan or struggle, just as the Dr. arrived. His disease was paralysis of the heart. Mr. Starkweather was 23 years of age, came here about a year and a half ago, from Lodi, Wis. He had acquired a good many friends--we may say, infact, had no enemies, for all who knew him early confided in his friendship. He was a member of the Evansville band, and he held the office of secretary. His parents reside in Racine--has a sister in Ohio, the only one left of the family. His father was telegraphed to at Minneapolis, and his uncle at Kenosha; the latter came as far as Hanover Junction Friday, and turned back to Beloit, to await the arrival of the body. Episcopal services were held by Rev. Mr. Green at Mr. Pullen's house, and the remains immediately taken to Racine, accompanied by Mr. Clarence Waldo, and Mr. Geo. D. Potter, R. R. Agent. His body was first placed in a refrigerator, and afterwards embalmed by Dr. D. C. Griswold. The band did everything for him that could have been done by friends. They encoffined his remains, and preceded by the pall bearers and hearse, marched with a silent tread to the depot, the Episcopal bell meanwhile tolling the mournful dirge of death. The procession was composed of a large number of citizens, all bearing a depth of sadness that told the loss of an estimable young man, whom circumstances had thrown among us. The Band Hall was appropriately draped in mourning from respect to their deceased member, and the band will pass resolutions of condolence for their loss. May 30, 1877, The Evansville Review, Evansville, Wisconsin