Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

DEATH OF MRS. O’CONNOR

F. V. Rowland returned from Winfield, where he was called on Nov. 30, by the news of the death of his sister, Mrs. John H. O’Connor. Mrs. Rowland and Miss Beth also attended the funeral and the former remained for a few days, while Miss Beth went to Wellington for a brief visit with friends. This is the second bereavment for Mr. Rowland within a year, his brother having died at Winfield a few months ago, and he and his estimable family have the sympathy of many friends, Concerning the death of Mrs. O’Connor the Winfield Tribune says: “The death of Mrs. John H. O’Connor has cast a pall of gloom over the town and county when she and her family as so well known and beloved. Most of her life has been spent in Winfield and of it she has given and endeared herself to many. She was born Sadie Rowland, next to the youngest of seven children, in Schuyler county, New York, September 5, 1868, coming with her parents to Miami county, Kansas, in 1871 and to Winfield in 1875. Here she attended the common schools, grew into beautiful young womanhood, being a belle in the younger set of the town in the later ‘80’s. She became the bride of Mr. John H. O’Connor one early September morning 1804- a quiet home wedding witnessed only by the family and Mr. Alvah Graham, Mr. O’Connor’s most intimate friend. Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor began married life in Winfield and have made it their home continuiously. In 1900 a daughter was born to them but died in infancy. On September 27th, a second sunbeam, a bright little daughter came to bless their union. She was named Susan. The mother prospered for a few days, then sickened and grew weaker. Complications multiplied and for the past month she fought valiantly against desperate odds. For days she found relief in a sitting posture, and since Thanksgiving day even those most sanguine gave up hopes of her recovery. Yesterday at noon the physicans in attendence recognized that the end was near and told her. She called her loved ones around her, kissed her infant, and bade them good-bye. She slipped into unconsciouness and as removed onto the bed and powerfil stimulants administrated. Shortly after 2 o’clock she rallied and became conscuious for about half an hour, spoke of her feeling better and asked her husband to raise her head on his arm. As he did she exclaimed “Sweet Jesus.” and suddenly expired. At her bedside were all her loved ones. The funeral will be held tommorow morning at ten o’clock, and all that earthly remains of this sweet Christian character will be tenderly laid to rest beside her first born in the Rowland family lot in Union cemetery. The bereaved husband, mother, brother and sister have the sympathy of the many friends. Mr’ O’Connors’s sister, will go into the broken home at once and care for the husband and motherless babe.”