Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Matthew BARGEWELL ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Matthew Bargewell -- Another Pioneer Gone We were somewhat startled on coming to our office Friday morning and hearing someone say, "The doctors say Bargewell is going to die--would not be surprised if he did not live the day out." We inquired the cause and learned that he left his business--shoemaking--Tuesday after noon, the week before, and went immediately to bed. A doctor was sent for, and for a day or two his complaint--nervous fever and an affection of the carotid glands of the throat. But as each hour passed the doctors saw evidently there was but little hope for him. He lingered along in a half conscious state until shortly after eleven o'clock Saturday when he died. Mr. Bargewell was 48 years old when he died; came to Evansville 26 years ago, and has ever been an industrious worker at his trade, that of shoemaker ever since. He never identified himself with any important interests of the place, but a man of unblemished reputation, and of unexceptionable business and moral habits. Some years ago he professed religion and united on probation with the Methodist church, but never in full connection. He was a Free Mason, and held the office of master of the Lodge here for a number of years. His purposes and aims of life were always to do right and to deal justly with all. He was buried with Masonic honors Sunday; and beside members of his own lodge there were present representatives from Cooksville, Oregon and Madison lodges. Telegrams were sent to Footville and Brooklyn, but no reponses were given, probably from nonreceipt of information. The funeral was held at the house; sermon by Rev. Henry Faville. His immediate connection present were small; his remains were attended to their final resting place by a large collection of friends and neighbors. His demise was so sudden and unexpected that few realized that it was Mat. Bargewell that lay encoffined before him. As the funeral procession, consisting of some 75 Masons on foot, and about 50 carriages, Sunday, were crossing the track at Main street intersection, a wild freight train that had been taking water at the tank below the depot, pulled out just in time to divide the procession and throw everything into confusion. Luckily no one was injured; but it was a close call for some. We are sure the railroad company does not require such haste and such willful disregard of rights and respects on occasions of this kind, and a conductor should exercise a little more prudence and discretion, than to run his train into a funeral procession, at a public highway crossing. Agent Potter recognized the act and promptly informed the company. He was thanked by the public for doing so. September 7, 1881, Evansville Review, p. 3, col. 3, Evansville, Wisconsin