Obituaries - Surname T
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
TAGGART, SAMUEL B. (REVEREND)/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, March 21, 1911
Rev. Samuel B. Taggart, a
retired Presbyterian clergyman, died shortly before noon Tuesday
at his residence on Washington avenue in Upper Alton. He had
been in failing health for over a year, and five weeks ago
offered a complete mental and physical breakdown. Since then he
has been helpless in his home. His death was due to old age. Had
he lived ten days longer, he would have been 78 years of age. He
had been retired from active work in the ministry for 29 years.
He came to Upper Alton thirty-three years ago as pastor of the
Upper Alton Presbyterian church, which he served four years. He
had bought a 50-acre tract in Upper Alton, now a part of the
city of Alton, and on giving up his work as a clergyman he
retired to the place and devoted his life to farming. He was a
man of great mental attainment and his services were frequently
called for, until recent years, to fill vacancies in pulpits and
his sermons were known for their scholarly wisdom and their deep
philosophy. He was born March 31st, 1833, at Canonsburg, Pa. He
was educated in what is now Washington and Jefferson college,
and graduated there in 1856. He completed his theological
education at Princeton, where he graduated in 1861, and he was
planning, up to the time he was prostrated, to go back to
Princeton this year to attend the golden jubilee of his class.
He spent thirty years preaching in Indiana and Illinois. He was
married to Frances Rockwell at Sullivan, Ind., February 18th,
1863, and she survives him. He leaves five children, Mrs. W. J.
Sewall of Carthage, Mo.; A. M. Taggart of Chicago; Miss Anna
Taggart of Murphysboro, Ill.; Mrs. H. J. Steinberg of Mason
City, Iowa; and L. M. Taggart of Upper Alton. He leaves one
grandchild, a son of S. B. Taggart Jr., who died in Chicago 14
years ago. He leaves also three brothers, John Taggart of Beaver
Falls, Pa., M. R. Taggart of Pittsburg, Pa., David Taggart; and
a sister, Mrs. Rachel McKee of Olathe, Kas. The funeral will be
held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home in
Upper Alton.
TAKE, SOPHIE (nee ALDRUP)/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer,
Wednesday, January 11, 1893
Mrs. Sophie Take, nee Aldrup,
died on Tuesday, 3rd inst., aged 76 years and 23 days. She was
the widow of William Take who died in 1881. The funeral took
place from the residence of her son-in-law- H. F. Dankenbring on
Thursday. The ceremony was unostentatious but not less
impressive. Around the bier stood assembled with the mourners,
her seven daughters with their husbands and her only son and his
wife. The daughters are: Mrs. Sophie Giese, Maria Bardelmeier,
Louise Frickenstein, Lena Dankenbring, Catherine Hoge, Minnie
Bode, Mathilda Schaeffer; the son is Hy Take, and his wife,
Louise Stahlhut. She leaves besides these 34 grandchildren and 4
great grandchildren. The services were conducted by Rev. Carl
Kunzman, who delivered a forcible sermon. The passbearers were
six grandchildren, Edward Giese, Ed Bardelmeier, Julius
Bardelmeier, Rudolph Frickenstein, H. Bankenbring and Julius
Bode. A large concourse of friends accompanied the remains to
their resting place and paid the last tribute of respect to the
venerable lady. She was a native of Germany, and came to this
county over fifty years ago. Her husband, William Take, preceded
her two years. Together they labored faithfully and in course of
years acquired a compotency. The character of the parents was
transmitted to the children, and they too have become useful and
esteemed members of the community. It can well be said that her
life had been one of activity and toil, but that God's blessing
lead her safely.
TALMAGE, INEZ/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 28, 1916
Mrs. Inez Talmage, wife of Howard Talmage, died Wednesday
morning at 6:10 o'clock at the family home, 1808 Jersey street,
after an illness of five days. Mrs. Talmage was 55 years old.
She had been in fairly good health up to last Thursday, and she
was down town that afternoon but was feeling badly. Thursday
night she became very ill and on Friday she showed signs of
having suffered a stroke of paralysis. This, together with a
complication of other troubles, was responsible for her death.
Mrs. Talmage attended the closing exercises at Horace Mann
school two weeks ago today, and she suffered a fall at the
school which caused her a painful injury to one of her knees and
she was of the opinion that the fall was partially responsible
for her sickness, but it is not known whether it did or not.
After the stroke of paralysis, Mrs. Talmage never spoke and she
was in a semi-conscious condition after that time until her
death this morning. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M.
Anderson, former old residents of Upper Alton, who left here
about twenty years ago for Dallas, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
both died in Texas. Mrs. Talmage was born at Effingham August 5,
1861. She was married to Mr. Talmage at Godfrey in 1881. She had
lived in Upper Alton practically ever since her marriage 35
years ago. She leaves four brothers, John, Will and George
Anderson of Sherley, Arkansas, and Frank Anderson of Dallas,
Texas; and one sister, Miss Lora Anderson of Sherley, Arkansas.
A message was sent this morning to her brothers and sister, but
as yet they have not been heard from. The funeral arrangements
will not be made until members of the family arrive at Alton.
TANEAKAS, NICK/Source: Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June
13, 1914
Greek Boy Drowns in East Alton
A Greek boy, aged
twenty two, who is known as Nick Taneakas, was drowned at
two-thirty this afternoon at the foot of Illinois avenue while
swimming from the sand bar at that place. Binakos was said to be
a fairly good swimmer and the cause of his death is still
uncertain. According to his companions, George Rogue and James
Draper, who were with him at the time of the accident, Binakos
[sic] dived into the river from the bar and never returned to
the surface. Whether he was caught in a fishing net or carried
away by the undercurrent is unknown.
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, June 15, 1914
The body of Nick
Taneakas, the Greek who was drowned while swimming in the
Mississippi River at the foot of Illinois avenue Saturday
afternoon, was found yesterday morning at nine o'clock by James
Draper. The body was turned over to the deputy coroner, John
Berner at once, and the funeral was held at two o'clock this
afternoon to the city cemetery. An inquest was held at noon
today. The White Hussar band headed the funeral cortege from the
home in Illinois avenue to the city cemetery, and played funeral
dirges on the way. Each member of the band was attired in white,
this being their first appearance in summer uniforms.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 16, 1914 Unusual
Funeral
Altonians, who happened to witness Monday evening
the funeral services for Nick Taneakas, the Greek who was
drowned Saturday, are talking about the unusual features ever
sinces. The body was in state in the big hall in Illinois
avenue, and funeral services were conducted there by two Greek
priests from St. Louis. When the cortege started from the hall
to the city cemetery, there was a hearse in line, but it had
nothing to carry. The White Hussars headed the procession; then
came a man bearing the lid of the coffin on his shoulder, the
open casket containing the dead man followed, borne by six of
his former companions; behind the casket came three men bearing
floral offerings; then came the two Greek clergymen swinging
urns in which incense was burning, and the fumes of which filled
the air. At the cemetery, before the open coffin was lowered in
the grave, the priests spread oil over the face of the deceased
and sprinkled it over his body. Then they placed a couple of
shovels of dirt on the face and over the clothing. The flowers
were then placed in the coffin, and the lid was finally fastened
on. The ceremonies were the strangest, most curious ever
witnessed in Alton, it is said. It will be remembered that
companions of Nick Taneakas, who was drowned in the river at the
foot of Illinois avenue Saturday afternoon, reported that he
never was seen after making his first dive in the river, and
they could not understand what caused his failure to come up.
When the body was recovered, the reason was plain enough. His
hands and arms were drawn together, it is said, by fish lines,
and the lines were encircling his neck. "The river is full of
trot lines down there," one man told a Telegraph reporter, "and
he must have become entangled in some of them when he made the
dive. His struggles to get loose from the lines undoubtedly
served to cause them to wrap themselves around his arms and
neck, and he was powerless to arise or call for help." The young
Greek was a good swimmer, his friends claim, and he was a strong
young man, but he was not strong enough to break loose from the
trot lines.
TANNER, GUY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 21, 1918
Guy, the 11 year old son of Mr. and
Mrs. Guy W. Tanner, died at noon today at St. Joseph's hospital
from the effects of injuries he sustained Thursday night in an
automobile accident on Belle street. The child's skull was
fractured near the base when he was struck by the automobile,
and he never regained consciousness. All hope of his showing any
improvement was given up Friday afternoon and the parents were
informed that he had but a short time to live. The parents have
six children, this death being the first in their family. The
funeral time has not been decided upon.
TANSEY, DOUGLAS/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 6, 1864
Died
in Alton on Saturday a.m., April 30, Douglas, infant son of
Robert P. and Maria Tansey, aged two years and ten months. The
funeral will take place from the family residence on Sunday at
three o’clock p.m.
TAPPAN,
H. V. A., HON./Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 9, 1852
We deeply regret to learn that H. V. A. Tappan, a well-known
and most worthy citizen of Bunker Hill, Macoupin Co., was
drowned during night before last in Wood River, at the crossing
beyond Upper Alton. His body was found yesterday morning. Any of
the attending circumstances of the case, we have been unable to
learn, and it is probable they are unknown. The general opinion
is that Mr. Tappan, while proceeding home, missed the bridge or
proper crossing in the darkness, or, some of the bridge planking
may have been carried off by the sudden freshet. It is difficult
to realize that the talented, gentlemanly and kind hearted
Tappan has gone forever from our midst. We cannot realize that
the kind friend who left our office, after a pleasant social
chat at 4 o'clock on Thursday afternoon, was in an hour or two
numbered with the dead. How suddenly does death sometimes come
among us, and youth, virtue, or talent, as in the case of
Tappan, find no exemption from the dread destroyer.
TARBELL, JAMES (CAPTAIN)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 10, 1906
Civil War Soldier and Famous Chess Player
Dies
James Tarbell, age 89, died suddenly at his home in Upper Alton
Friday afternoon about 5 o'clock, from heart disease. He was
found dead lying in the yard by his wife, who is 87 years of
age, and to whom he had been married for sixty-three years. Mr.
Tarbell went out in the yard about 5 o'clock, and being a
strong, hardy man for his years he was engaged in some physical
labor for the sake of exercise when he fell over dead. His wife,
on going to see what kept him out and what he was doing, found
him lying on the ground dead. The sudden death of Mr. Tarbell
was a great shock to the many friends of the old man as well as
to the aged companion of sixty-three years. He was in good
health apparently, and there was no indication that the golden
bowl would be broken so soon. He was in possession of all his
faculties and was able to enjoy the good things of life. He
still had great interest in the ordinary affairs of life and
kept himself well informed on current events. He was a man of
kindly nature, a good neighbor, and a devoted companion to his
wife. James Tarbell was a native of Springfield, Vermont, and
was born 89 years ago last November 26. His father was the first
ordained pastor of the Springfield Congregational church. He
came to Alton shortly after the close of the Civil War, wearing
the title of Captain, having served as Captain of a Vermont
regiment during the Civil War. He was badly wounded in the leg
at the battle of Gettysburg. He moved to Godfrey after coming to
Alton to join his sister, Mrs. S. T. Sawyer. After living at
Godfrey a short time he moved to Alton, thirty years ago, and
made his home in Upper Alton. He was a famous chess player,
probably one of the best in the United States, and played in
many tournaments. He made a deep study of the game and he
furnished many of the chess problems which interested players in
years ago. He was beaten seldom, and there were few who could
match him in playing. Capt. Tarbell leaves beside his aged wife,
five children: Mrs. James M. Barr, wife of the general manager
of the Seaboard Air Line of Norfolk, Va.; Mrs. William Powell of
New York; Mrs. Charles B. Johnson of Upper Alton; and Messrs.
George and Frank Tarbell of Baker City, Oregon. Messages were
received from the two daughters that they would be here to
attend the funeral. It is not known that the sons can get here.
The funeral will probably be held Monday and will be private,
owing to the dangerous condition of Mrs. Tarbell, who has been
prostrated since finding the body of her husband in the yard and
it is not expected that she will survive him long. Rev. H. M.
Chittenden of St. Paul's Episcopal church will conduct the
funeral services.
TARBELL, SARAH J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 19,
1917
Widow of Captain James Tarbell
Mrs. Sarah J.
Tarbell, widow of Capt. James Tarbell, died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. C. B. Johnson, 2503 Donald avenue, Friday evening
at 8:15 o'clock. Mrs. Tarbell was Alton's oldest resident. She
observed her ninety-ninth birthday last April 25, and members of
her family had been hoping that she would last to pass her
century mark. The aged lady, however, did not have any such
hopes. When told from time to time that they hoped to keep her
with her family at least until after the would-be a hundred
years of age, Mrs. Tarbell said that she did not expect to live
to see her hundredth anniversary, as she was not feeling strong.
She had retained all her faculties up to the end. The close of
her long life came after a sleep of about eight hours. At noon
she quietly went to sleep and she continued to slumber
peacefully until the spark of life went out. Mrs. Tarbell leaves
three daughters, Mrs. C. B. Johnson, with whom she lived; Mrs.
James Barr of Terra Cera, N. C.; and Mrs. William Powell of
Montclair, N. J. Her husband died at the age of 92. He was an
old retired river captain. One day he fell dead in the yard at
the home in Upper Alton. She came of a long lived family too,
many of her relatives living to old age. Notwithstanding her
great age, Mrs. Tarbell had not been ill, and death was due to
the weakness of old age. The end of her unusually long life came
peacefully while she was asleep. She was up last Sunday almost
all day, but since that time she was confined to her bed. Her
daughter, Mrs. C. B. Johnson, said she could see her mother
failing rapidly during the past two or three weeks, and on this
account the end last evening was expected. Since last Sunday
when the aged lady was sitting up her last time, she had slept
the greater part of the time. Mrs. Tarbell had been a resident
of Alton about 40 years. She was born in Holderness, New
Hampshire on April 25, 1818, and she had entered the hundredth
year of her life about three weeks ago. She was married to James
Tarbell about 70 years ago, and at the time of her death in
Upper Alton, on March 9, 1906 the couple had observed the 60th
anniversary of their marriage a short time before. Mr. Tarbell
was a Civil War veteran, and at the close of the war he came
West, locating at Godfrey. He had been a farmer all his life. He
retired from work some years later and moved to Upper Alton
where the couple spent the remainder of their lives. Three
daughters survive: Mrs. C. B. Johnson of Alton, with whom Mrs.
Tarbell made her home for a number of years after she broke up
housekeeping; Mrs. James Barr of Belthaven, North Carolina; and
Mrs. William Powell of Montclair, New Jersey. Messages were
received today from the two daughters in the East, saying it
would be impossible for them to be here for the funeral. Mrs.
Tarbell was never informed of the death of one of her sons,
George S. Tarbell of Baker City, Oregon, in 1908. On account of
her great age, the news of the son's death was not made known to
her. She also had another son, Frank Tarbell, who started many
years ago for the gold fields of Alaska and was never heard of
since. When en route for Alaska he stopped with the brother at
Baker City, Oregon for a visit. After leaving there the family
never again heard of him. Mrs. Tarbell had been a reader of the
Telegraph many years and she was always greatly interested in
the doings of the City of Alton and especially of Upper Alton.
She watched the papers very closely and never missed out on any
occurrence in the vicinity. She kept house until she was well
along toward 90 years old, and the Telegraph was always a
welcome visitor at her home in the evening. The funeral will be
held Monday morning at 9:30 o'clock, and will be private.
Services will be conducted in the C. B. Johnson home by Rev. E.
L. Gibson of the First Presbyterian Church.
TARENTELLO, ANGELO/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November
30, 1917
Italian Boy Killed by Train
Following the killing of his 11 year old son, Angelo
Tarentelo, by the northbound 1 o'clock C. & A. train at Second
and Cherry streets, Joseph Tarentello, the father, was so grief
stricken that he threatened to commit suicide on reaching the
office of Deputy Coroner Bauer. He was brought to the office by
Sotir Durato. He asked to see his son and was forbidden to view
the body until the arrival of the deputy coroner, William Bauer,
who was not present at the time. Tarentello is a large, strong
man, capable of overpowering several men of ordinary size. He
arose from his chair and began tearing his hair and gnawing his
cap in his teeth, crying in Italian, "O, my boy!" He refused to
listen to the advice of those in the coroner's office to stay
away from the body until he had quieted down, and rushed against
the others and forced his way around into the morgue, where the
boy's body was lying on the slab. He tore off the cover,
regardless of the fact that several were exerting all their
might to pull him away, and he knelt down and kissed the boy,
sobbing bitterly. Then he threw himself on the floor and had to
be almost dragged out of the room. He asked if the boy's body
was broken much, and on being told that the worst injury was on
the head, said he did not believe it and began crying again.
Then he begged for one more kiss. As he was led out of the room
forcibly, he began saying in his native tongue that he was going
to kill himself. He rushed to the street and would have enacted
another scene had the deputy coroner not arrived and forced him
to go inside and sit down on a chair.
TARRENT, MARY (SISTER BERNARDINE)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 3, 1916
Sister Mary Bernardine, sister
of Rev. Father M. A. Tarrent of the Cathedral, died Thursday
evening at 10:40 o'clock following a long illness with heart
trouble. Sister Bernadine was taken ill in Collinsville, where
she was teaching on the nineteenth of last December, and has
suffered much during her illness. After being ill for some
weeks, Sister Bernardine was removed to the Alton Convent, her
brother, Father Tarrent, going to Collinsville to bring her
home. Sister Barnardine was before entering the convent Miss
Mary Tarrent of Springfield. She entered the Alton convent in
1909, and after a six months probation, Sister Bernardine went
to Dallas, Texas where she received the white veil. When the
Ursuline Novitiate on Danforth street was erected and completed,
Sister Bernardine and the other Sisters from the north who were
in Dallas came back to Alton. Sister Bernardine and the other
members of her class were the first to receive the black veil at
the Novitiate. After her reception, Sister Bernardine commenced
to teach, teaching for a while in the Alton convent and then in
other places. She possessed a most beautiful character and was
beloved by all who knew her. During her short life as a
religious, she won many friends for herself, and it was with
great sorrow that the news of her death was received this
morning. From the time of her illness Sister Bernardine has
suffered intensely, but throughout it all she was uncomplaining
and willing to go. Her brother, Father Tarrent, remained with
her almost constantly during her long illness and was at her
bedside when she passed away, her death coming very peacefully.
Her death was a most beautiful one. Sister Bernardine is
survived by her brother, Father Tarrent; three sisters, Mrs.
David Walsh, Miss Ella Tarrent, and Miss Julia Tarrent; as well
as other relatives in Springfield. The funeral will be held
Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the Ursuline Chapel on East
Fourth Street, and interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Friends are requested to omit flowers.
TAYLOR, CAROLINE B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 3,
1915
Miss Caroline B. Taylor, aged 17, died at the home
of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Taylor of 1422 Cyrus
street, last evening, from pneumonia. The funeral will be held
tomorrow afternoon from the Campbell A. M. E. Church to the
Upper Alton Cemetery.
TAYLOR, CORNELIUS "NEIL" HECTOR TAYLOR/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 22, 1909
Died - Cornelius Hector
Taylor, 2nd eldest son of Frank L. and Nellie Laird Taylor, 11
p.m. January 21st, in his 22nd year. Funeral services at First
Presbyterian church, Monday morning, Jan. 25th, at 10 a.m. Neil
Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Taylor, died Thursday night
at 11 o'clock at the family home on State street, after a long
illness. Heart and other organic troubles developed from a
diphtheria attack of about a year ago. The young man was never
able to resume his usual duties after the diphtheria illness.
Recently it was decided to take him to San Antonion, Tex., for
the benefit of his health, in the belief that the warm climate
might help restore his failing strength. The change did not
prove beneficial, and it was while he was returning home a week
ago last Tuesday that the railway wreck occurred in which he
received such a nervous shock he was thought to have been
killed, but he revived and was brought home. After his return to
Alton he rallied in strength somewhat, and there were
indications that he might improve considerably. He was the
oldest son of his parents and was 21 years of age. He was
employed in the office of the Illinois Glass Co. All his life he
had spent in Alton. He was a young man of a quiet, kindly
disposition who made many true friends, and in his long
affliction he has had the interest and sympathy of all who knew
him. His cheerfulness never was clouded by despair in his long
illness, and when he came back home from his southern trip he
was so uplifted in spirit by being home again, he rallied
materially in strength.
TAYLOR, ELLEN (nee GLASS)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 14, 1910
Mrs. Ellen Glass Taylor died at her home
at 1607 Liberty street, at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon, after
an illness of ten days with grip. She had been in good health
for a person of her age, and was active up to the time of her
illness with grip, and her death comes as a surprise to her many
friends. Mrs. Taylor came with her husband from London, England,
in 1876, and two years later Mr. Taylor died, being buried in
the City Cemetery. Mrs. Taylor is the last member of her family,
all of her direct family relatives in England having preceded
her. She leaves two sons and two daughters, Harry R. Taylor of
Texas, and John Taylor of Monett, Mo., and Miss Maria, who
aboded with her mother, and Mrs. Samuel Wade. Mrs. Taylor was a
literary woman and a great reader of good literature, and
enjoyed her latter years in life reading books and journals. The
arrangements for the funeral will be made as soon as the two
sons arrive.
TAYLOR, FRANK L./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
28, 1912
Auditor and Assistant Treasurer of Illinois Glass
Company
Frank L. Taylor, auditor and assistant
treasurer of the Illinois Glass Company, died at 2 o'clock this
afternoon at his residence, 1114 State street, after a week's
illness from pneumonia. Mr. Taylor's case has been regarded as
serious from the start, but it was not realized that there was a
probability of a fatal turn. This morning he had become so bad
it was deemed advisable to hold a consultation of physicians and
the verdict was that Mr. Taylor had very small chance to live.
His death occurred a few hours later. There were few in Alton
who knew that Mr. Taylor was in a serious condition. The news of
his death is therefore all the more shocking to a large circle
of friends who regarded him very highly. He is survived by his
wife and two children, Miss Lucia, and a son, Eliot. He leaves
also a brother, Kirke H. Taylor of Alton. Mr. Taylor was born in
this city fifty-four years ago. His father, Rev. C. H. Taylor,
was a Presbyterian clergyman, and came from Akron, Ohio to Alton
with his family to serve as pastor of the First Presbyterian
church. The father was one of the ablest clergymen ever in the
City of Alton, and when he left Alton again it was regretted
generally. After his death, Mrs. Taylor brought his body from
Cincinnati, and he was buried here, and the family subsequently
made their home in this city. Mr. F. L. Taylor lived in Alton
most of his life. He had held positions of trust at the Illinois
Glass Co., and by that company he was highly esteemed. He
possessed in many ways the high intellectual qualities that had
distinguished his father. A few years ago he suffered a grief
from which he did not fully recover, when his son, Neil Taylor,
died after a long illness. Mr. Taylor's health had not been of a
robust character, and when pneumonia attacked him it found in
him an easy victim. The announcement of the death of Mr. Taylor
is a great surprise to most people who knew him. Mr. Taylor was
a man who was known for his fidelity to his trust, and his
dutiful discharge of all obligations to his family. He was a man
who made many firm friendships, and his death is a loss to the
city in which he made his home. For many years he was a
commuter, going to St. Louis daily, but a number of years ago he
took a position with the Illinois Glass Co., and after going
there his ability was so marked that he rose rapidly, and at the
time of his death he held a very responsible position. The time
of the funeral had not been set this afternoon.
TAYLOR, GEORGE WASHINGTON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 22, 1909
Old Alton Soldier Dies at Peoria Work House
George Washington Taylor, the Alton old soldier who lost his
pension, was arrested and sent to prison for swindling the
United States government by getting a big pension for total
blindness by fraud, died at the Peoria workhouse, Sunday, where
he was serving a term of imprisonment under sentence from the
United States district court at Springfield. Taylor was 69 years
of age. Taylor never was well after he was notified he had been
deprived of his pension. He had no money left and became a
charge on the county. He made no defense against the charges
made against him. Taylor carried life insurance, and the body
will be brought back to Alton this evening for burial. He was a
member in good standing of Alton post, G. A. R.
TAYLOR, IDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 3, 1914
Was It An Accident or Suicide?
Mrs. Ida Taylor, aged
29, was killed instantly Tuesday morning at the foot of
Washington Street by the C. & A. Prairie State Express. Whether
her death was due to an accident or whether she committed
suicide seems to be in doubt. Mrs. Taylor was walking along the
track on her way to get groceries, according to the story given
the reporters for the Telegraph. Unmindful of the fast
approaching train, she slowly walked up the track. The train
struck her, knocked her against the fence at the home of John
Carr, and as her body rebounded towards the track, her head
struck the wheels of the front truck on the tender. Her head was
crushed instantly, although none of the wheels passed over her.
Persons standing nearby rushed to her side at once, but she was
dead. Mrs. Taylor is survived by a daughter, Etta, aged 12, and
her husband, Thomas, who is living in Litchfield at present.
While some are inclined to believe her death was an accident,
many of her neighbors and those who witnessed the accident claim
that it was suicide. The story told by some of the neighbors is
that she has been keeping a disorderly house on Illinois Avenue
for some time. Her husband had refused to live with her, and she
would not keep her daughter at home, preferring to pay her board
at the home of a relative on Feldwisch Avenue. Mrs. Taylor lived
by herself in the house at 26 Illinois Avenue, although she was
frequently visited by a man named Eddie. The neighbors say that
a large quantity of beer was consumed at the Taylor home last
evening, and there was some difficulty between Mrs. Taylor and
Eddie, and this might have led to her death. When a reporter for
the Telegraph called at the Taylor home after the accident this
morning, he found a number of empty beer bottles on the front
porch to confirm the stories told by the neighbors.
TAYLOR, JAMES M. and EDITH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 12, 1900
Father and Daughter Buried Together
James M. Taylor, a prominent citizen of Troy, this county, and
his daughter, Edith, a beautiful and accomplished young lady,
were buried side by side in the same grave yesterday. Typhoid
fever was the cause of death.
TAYLOR,
MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 29, 1901
Mary
Taylor, wife of G. W. Taylor, aged 54, died Saturday night after
an illness from rheumatism. The funeral took place this
afternoon and services at the home on Piasa street were
conducted by Rev. M. W. Twing.
TAYLOR,
MARY ANN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 18, 1908
Mrs. Mary Ann Taylor, widow of David Taylor, for many years
a resident of the North Side, died at the home of her daughter
in Belleville yesterday from the effects of old age and heat
prostration. She had been making her home with her daughter,
Mrs. Mary Craig at Belleville for some time. She was a native of
England and came to America in 1854, and to Alton in 1856. She
lived in the North Side almost all the time, until a few months
ago. She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Martha Jackson of Alton;
Mrs. Mary Craig of Belleville; and Mrs. Annie Cairns of Granite
City. The body will be brought here for burial and the funeral
will be from her old home in the North Side Thursday afternoon,
Rev. W. H. Bradley officiating.
TAYLOR,
MELISSA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 25, 1904
Melissa Taylor died last night in the East End. The funeral will
take place tomorrow afternoon from Keiser & Morfoot's
undertaking establishment.
TAYLOR,
PANSY (nee WRIGHT)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 12,
1917
Mrs. Earl Taylor died this afternoon at her home on
Park avenue in Upper Alton after a short illness. She was Miss
Pansy Wright, and was married three months ago. She leaves her
husband, her parents, four brothers and a twin sister.
TAYLOR, SARAH A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 20, 1901
Mrs. Sarah A. Taylor, wife of the late Henry Taylor, died
today at the residence of her son-in-law, Samuel J. Ball in
North Alton, aged 67 years, after a short illness with
pneumonia. Two sons, Thomas and Henry, and two daughters, Amelia
Taylor and Mrs. Samuel Ball, survive her. The funeral will take
place on Friday, March 22d, at 2 p.m. The burial will be in
Godfrey cemetery. Mrs. Taylor was an old resident of North Alton
and was highly respected by a large circle of acquaintances.
TAYLOR, STELLA (nee HARSHBERGER)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, December 1, 1920
Mrs. Frank Taylor, of 524
Belle street, died at St. Joseph's Hospital at 7:25 this
morning. Although she has been ill for several months, it was
not thought she was in so serious a condition, and her death
comes as a great shock to her family and friends. She was highly
esteemed by all who knew her. Mrs. Taylor came to Alton from the
Petersberg (Ill.) neighborhood about ten years ago and has
resided here since that time. Her maiden name was Stella
Harshberger. She was about 48 years of age. She is survived by
her husband, Frank Taylor; her mother, Mrs. Virginia
Harshberger; two sisters, Mrs. William David and Miss Helen
Harshberger; and by two brothers, Dick and Herbert Harshberger.
She leaves no children. No funeral arrangements have been made.
TAYLOR, TRUMAN A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 16,
1915
The funeral of Truman A. Taylor was held at 10
o'clock this morning from St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Services
there were conducted by the vector, Rev. Arthur Goodger. Mr.
Taylor had been a member of the church for many years, and a
member of the vestry of St. Paul's. There was a very large
attendance of friends and business associates. The pallbearers
were selected from the most intimate Masonic friends of Mr.
Taylor, E. G. Meriwether, G. A. McKinney, J. A. Miller, J. T.
McClure, Herbert Paul, Rev. E. L. Gibson. The burial services at
City Cemetery were according to the Masonic ritual, and the
funeral address was given by Frank Harris, senior warden of
Piasa Lodge.
TAYLOR, UNKNOWN WIFE OF G. W./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, August 2, 1901
Husband Claims Wife was Poisoned
by Family Member
G. W. Taylor made a startling charge today
against a member of his family in connection with the death of
his wife, and the police are now investigating the case in
connection with Dr. W. R. Smith, health officer, who was the
attending physician for Mrs. Taylor. Taylor says that the
medicine left for his wife was changed by a member of the family
who had made threats of killing the entire family, and that the
poison was administered in place of medicine to Mrs. Taylor. Dr.
Smith says Mrs. Taylor had sciatic rheumatism. Taylor says she
was suffering from heart trouble. Saturday morning she was in
good condition, and Saturday afternoon she died unexpectedly. A
bottle containing a mixture said to be ammonia, carbolic acid
glycerin was submitted as the poison that is alleged to have
caused the death. The police place little in Taylor's story.
They believe it is a scheme to get rid of the member of the
family who is under suspicion. The suspect bears a very bad
reputation, but there is no direct proof that he caused Mrs.
Taylor's death. Taylor said that his wife's mouth was sore after
the medicine was administered. He says that the poison bottle
was substituted for the medicine. No warrant has been issued.
TAYLOR,
WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 22, 1907
William, the four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Truman A. Taylor,
died Sunday morning at the family home on Franklin street after
a brief illness. The death of the child was unexpected and was a
sad shock to the parents. The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon from St. Paul's Episcopal church, Rev. H. M.
Chittenden officiating.
TEDFORD, GILBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 24,
1917
Young Man Accidentally Shot
The jury impannelled by Deputy Coroner
W. H. Bauer to inquire into the death of the young man shot by
Herschel Funkhouse, gave a verdict exonerating Funkhouse of all
blame. It developed after the death of the young man, who was
19, that he had been living under an assumed name. A friend of
his said that an error the young man had made had weighed
heavily on his mind and that he had left his home, changed his
name from Gilbert Tedford to Joseph Calvin, and that he had been
working under the assumed name at the glass works. He was
oppressed with the belief that he might be apprehended, though
as to that there is no proof. He is said to have refrained from
going to the post office, to have stayed off the streets and to
have avoided meeting policemen. His family knew of the name
under which he was living and they wrote to him at the address
where he was staying. On coming to Alton Tedford rode on the
train with Funkhouse. Both were bound for the same city, and
both had come from the same place, Shawneetown, Ill., though
neither had known the other at Shawneetown. Arriving in Alton
they got work together, boarded together and later when
Funkhouse brought his family here, Tedford boarded with the
Funkhouse family.....Tedford had just been warned of the danger
of the defective revolver they handled, according to Funkhouse's
evidence, and had shown how to fix it so it would not be
dangerous. Then, while Tedford was sitting in the chair and
Funkhouse was standing in front of him, the revolver was
discharged, the bullet lodging under one eye of Tedford's,
causing a fatal injury. Joseph W. Tedford, father of the young
man, was communicated with and he ordered the body prepared for
shipment at once to the old home at Shawneetown. The deceased
leaves his parents, six brothers and one sister. He was the
oldest of the children. One woman, who lived upstairs over the
Funkhouse family, heard the shooting and she appeared before the
coroner's jury. She had heard enough to corroborate the story
told by Funkhouse.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, May 25, 1917
Joseph Tedford came here from
Shawneetown to claim the body of his son, who was accidentally
shot to death on Wednesday afternoon by Herschel Funkhouse. The
father said, on his arrival, that his son was a deserter from
the army and that was his reason for attempting to conceal
himself by changing his name and living under the assumed name.
The body was sent back to Shawneetown today.
TEIPEL, AMANDA (nee DOLBOW)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
June 14, 1919
Three Sisters Die Within 14 Months
Mrs.
Frank Teipel died at her home in East Alton at 7 o'clock this
morning, after an illness which extended over a period of one
year. Mrs. Teipel's death is the third to occur in her family in
the past fourteen months, one sister, Mrs. Sarah Dolbow Squires
being buried in Kansas City on Wednesday of this week. Another
sister, Mrs. James Oliver, died in East Alton in April of 1918,
fourteen months ago. Mrs. Teipel was the last of a large family
to die. Mrs. Teipel was born in Alton in 1849, but spent the
larger part of her life in East Alton where the family is well
known. She was married close to fifty years ago, her husband
surviving her loss. Her loss will be greatly felt in East Alton,
where she took a large part in the church and social circles of
the village. A year ago she was taken ill and complications
followed. However, she was not taken down until a week ago. She
is survived by her husband, Frank Teipel; two daughters, Mrs.
Julia Beanblossom of Alton; and Mrs. Hulda Eudy of East Alton;
two sons, John of St. Louis and Henry of East Alton. Mrs.
Teipel's maiden name was Amanda Dolbow. She leaves eight
grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The funeral will be
held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the East Alton Methodist
church. Rev. C. C. Lackey will have charge of the services.
TEIPEL, MABEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 20, 1910
Mabel, the 15 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Teipel, died this noon at the family home in East Alton from
typhoid fever.
TELGMAN, ANTON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 1, 1911
Aged Resident of Brighton Road Dies Tuesday
Night at Home of His Son
Anton Telgman,
aged 79, died Tuesday evening at the home of his son, Henry
Telgman, on the Brighton road, north of Godfrey. Mr. Telgman had
been ill a long time and his death was expected. He leaves two
daughters, Mrs. Lizzie Friedrich of Beloit, Wisconsin, and Mrs.
Cornelia Reeder, of Upper Alton; also two sons, John and Henry
Telgman of Godfrey. He leaves also a sister, Mrs. Henry Lageman
and a brother in Strassburg, Germany. The funeral will be Friday
afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home and at 2 o'clock from the
Godfrey Congregational church, Rev. Johnson of St. Louis
officiating.
TELGMAN, WILLIAM A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
25, 1903
The funeral of William A. Telgman took place
Tuesday afternoon from the Congregational church at Godfrey to
the Godfrey Cemetery. Rev. J. Murray conducted the services,
which were attended by numerous neighbors and friends.
TEMME, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 16, 1900
Charles Temme died at St. Joseph's hospital last night at 10
o'clock from the effect of injuries he sustained by a fall on
ice at Sims, Ind., one month ago. He had gone to Sims to work at
his trade of glassblowing and left his family in Alton. When he
fell, he struck the base of his spine on a corner of a plank
walk and became paralyzed. He was brought to Alton in a helpless
condition and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He was
unconscious the last few days. Temme leaves a wife and three
children at 1120 East Second street, and was 43 years of age.
The funeral will take place Thursday morning at 9 o'clock, and
services will be in St. Patrick's church.
TEMPLE, DORA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2, 1921
Mrs. Dora Temple, wife of Lee Temple, died at the family
home in the Enos Apartments this morning at 2:30 o'clock after
an illness which commenced Sunday morning at ten o'clock. The
cause of death was given as hemorrhages of the stomach. The
death of Mrs. Temple came as a very great shock to the many
friends of the young woman, who, with her husband, attended the
Rip Van Winkle dance at Turner Hall Saturday night. Mrs. Temple
has not been in the best of health for a number of years, but
was feeling as well as usual when she retired Saturday night.
Mrs. Temple was married nine years ago, being before her
marriage Miss Dora Wahle. For a couple of years Miss Wahle had a
hair-dressing establishment on Piasa Street, and was a well
known young business woman. She leaves her husband, but no
children. Also her father, Joseph Wahle of Brighton; two
sisters, Mrs. Mark Bethel of Brighton and Mrs. George Price of
Otterville; and two brothers, Henry Wahle of Delhi and Adolph
Wahle of Otterville. She was 30 years of age. The young husband
has the sympathy of his many friends in the loss of his young
wife, who had a host of admirers.
TEMPLE, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 13, 1913
Taps Sound for Old Soldier
Joseph Temple, a resident of
Alton many years, a veteran of the Civil War, and for thirty
years an employee of the Illinois Glass Co., entered into rest
Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock at his home, 703 Washington street,
after an illness of eight days from pneumonia. Mr. Temple was
believed to be almost safely through the danger point in his
illness when he collapsed Monday night and the end followed soon
afterward. Mr. Temple was a member of long standing in the First
Presbyterian Church, a regular attendant there, and for years he
was active in the church work. He was well known in Alton, as he
had the opportunity of making many acquaintances during the many
years he worked for the Illinois Glass Co. He was a man of high
character and in every respect a good citizen. Mr. Temple was
born at Sparta, Ill., December 5, 1843, and was in his
seventieth year. He served the entire four years of the Civil
War in the Union Army, and was in the Hancock veteran corps
during the last year. He was looking forward with pleasant
anticipations to the big reunion to be held in Alton next week,
and wanted to live to participate in the encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, hoping to see many of his old comrades in
arms. He leaves beside his wife, one step-son, William Eaves of
Yager Park; and two brothers, Rev. D. L. Temple of Paxton, Ill.;
Dr. J. W. Temple; and two sisters, Mrs. Nancy E. Foster and Mrs.
Linnie Stewart, all of Sparta, Ill. The funeral will be under
the auspices of the G. A. R., Thursday morning at 10 o'clock,
from the home, Rev. E. L. Gibson of the First Presbyterian
church officiating. There will be six active pallbearers from
the Presbyterian Church and six honorary from Alton Post G. A.
R. In conformity with a wish of Mr. Temple, flowers will be
omitted.
TEMPLETON, CAROLINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
April 17, 1918
Mrs. Caroline Templeton, aged 80, died
Tuesday afternoon at her home, 510 Alby street, from paralysis.
She had been helpless for a few days since being stricken by
paralysis and from the beginning it was known that her case was
a serious one. To make matters worse, the house was quarantined
because of smallpox, from which a granddaughter, Miss Dollie
Templeton, was suffering. Notwithstanding the fact that the
house was quarantined, the only daughter of Mrs. Templeton, Mrs.
Kate Green, had herself vaccinated and she went in to the house
to take care of her dying mother. Mrs. Green stayed with the
aged woman until death came. Following the death of Mrs.
Templeton, the quarantine was raised so it would be unnecessary
to follow the rule of burial used in cases of smallpox victims.
Though Mrs. Templeton did not have smallpox, she would have been
subject to the same rules as if she had died from the disease,
except that it was found safe to lift the quarantine in the
house. Mrs. Templeton was born in Alton and lived here all her
life. She had seen all but one of her children die before her,
and she had taken charge of and had served as a mother to a
family of grandchildren. Recently two of the grandchildren, Fred
and James Templeton, went to Camp Taylor to begin military
training. At home were another grandson, John, and three
granddaughters, Dolly, Caroline and Josephine. Mrs. Templeton
leaves also two sisters and one brother. Fire added to the
misfortunes which attacked the Templeton home. A blaze which
originated in one of the bedrooms from an unknown cause
threatened to destroy the residence. Fire Company No. 1
responded to the alarm and the flames were extinguished by the
use of the chemicals. The damage was limited to the destruction
of a bed. A short time before the fire was discovered, the rooms
of the residence were fumigated. Health officers planned to lift
a smallpox quarantine from the residence this morning, Miss
Dolly Templeton having recovered from the disease. On account of
the death of her grandmother last evening, the fumigating was
done immediately. The funeral of Mrs. Templeton will be from the
family residence Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and will be
private. Services at the grave will be in charge of Rev. A. C.
Geyer, pastor of the First M. E. Church. The burial will be in
the City Cemetery.
TEMPLETON, CAROLINE/Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, April 18, 1918
At 2 o'clock the
funeral of Mrs. Caroline Templeton was held from family home on
Alby street, and was attended by a large number of friends of
the family. Short services were conducted by Rev. E. L. Gibson.
Burial was in City Cemetery, under heavy blankets of flowers,
the gifts of sympathizing friends and relatives.
TEMPLETON, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28,
1901
Well Known Alton Engineer Crushed Beneath Train
Joseph Templeton, one of the best known and most experienced
engineers on the Alton railway, lost his life in a collision at
McLean, a station 15 miles south of Bloomington, this morning at
3 o'clock. Mr. Templeton was engineer of the engine pulling the
Midnight Special on its southern trip. At McLean he was
scheduled to meet the north bound Midnight Special, which was
standing on the main track. By some mishap, the Midnight Special
was turned on to the track where the other train was waiting,
and the result was a collision which overturned Mr. Templeton's
engine, and he was crushed to death beneath it. Mr. Templeton
was a native of Alton, where he grew up to manhood. He learned
the printer's trade in the office of the Telegraph, and
afterwards entered the employ of the C. & A. as a fireman, and
in due time was given an engine. He was one of the trusted and
popular men on the road. He has been in the employ of the
company 18 or 20 years, and was about 40 years of age. He was
unmarried. His mother, sisters and brother live in Alton, where
he frequently visited. Mr. Charles Bowman, the well known
contractor, his brother-in-law, went to Bloomington on the
Prairie State Express to accompany the body to Alton, where the
funeral services and interment will take place. Mr. Templeton's
friends were greatly shocked when the news of his death reached
Alton this morning. His genial, sunny disposition made him a
favorite with all who knew him, who will unite in deep sympathy
for the stricken mother and members of the family. Mr. Templeton
was considered the crack engineer on the road. Whenever a fast
run was desired, he was always call upon. It fell to his lot to
show that the new big engines could make schedule time with the
heavy limited trains. Joe always carried his train in on time.
There is little hesitancy in saying that the collision was not
his fault.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March
29, 1901 Tribute to the Dead Engineer by the Bloomington
Bulletin
"Tis the wink of an eye, tis the draft of a
breath, From the bosom of health, to the paleness of death."
The immortal lines of William Knox could not be more aptly
applied than to the sudden summons of Engineer Joseph Templeton,
who met his fate at the post of duty in a head end collision on
the Alton at McLean, Thursday morning. With scarcely any warning
that an accident would result, and none at all that death would
come to him, the engineer went to his doom, like the hero he
was, with his face to the front and his hand firmly grasped upon
the throttle.
According to custom, if the north
bound train reaches a meeting point first, the crew opens the
switch for the south bound in order to save time. The south
bound can then pull in on the side track without stopping. It
has been the practice for conductors to send their brakemen back
to flag, while the porter opened the switch. This was ordered
this morning. Conductor Foley directed his porter, by name,
Charles Goodman, to go ahead and drop the semaphore [a system of
signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held
in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific
letters, numbers, etc.] and open the switch. He succeeded in
releasing the semaphore but had trouble in unlocking the switch.
He was engaged in trying to open the lock when Templeton came
up. Just what passed through the mind of the engineer as his
train came up is, of course, unknown. As near as can be judged,
he reduced his speed to perhaps eight miles an hour and leaned
away out of the cab window to note the actions of the porter,
whom he could see tugging at the lock and lever. It is supposed
that he judged his control to be sufficient so that if he failed
to make the siding he could stop before he hit the north bound
train. The speed was so slow that he thought, perhaps, the
prompt application of the emergency brake would prevent the
engine from colliding, or if they did hit, that the shock would
not be severe, perhaps not exceeding damage to pilots. With his
hand on the throttle and still leaning out of the cab window, he
waited the impact. Surprising to state, the engine on which he
was riding was overturned by the collision. The 507 is one of
the new Brooks passengers, and almost twice the weight of the
232, which is one of the World's Fair Schenectadys. It would be
imagined that the smaller engine would feel the effects of the
shock the worse. In some peculiar swing, the larger engine was
affected in such a manner that it capsized, failing to the
right. Before the engineer could move a muscle, so quick was the
action, the side of the cab pinned him to the ground and mashed
his body into an indescribable and unrecognizable mass. His head
was crushed beyond resemblance to its former familiar
appearance. Death was instantaneous. The warning was sadly
brief. But who could find a nobler way to die.
The colored porter, Goodman, was almost paralyzed with fright.
He hid in the blind baggage of the north bound train, and when
it reached Bloomington he was found among some tramps at the
head end of the train. His evident intent to escape makes it
appear likely that he will seek to avoid testifying before the
inquisition. His fellow porters say they never had trouble in
doing work that was slighted by Goodram [sic] and cannot
understand what prevented him from getting the switch open. The
dead engineer was 38 years of age, being born in Alton, where
his widowed mother is now residing. He became a printer's
apprentice in Alton, but at an early age had a fascination for
railroading and secured a position in the round house in Alton.
He entered the service in 1881 and fired until 1893, when he was
promoted to engineer. His work as a fireman and engineer was
beyond criticism, and he stood very high among the officials.
Everybody esteemed Joe Templeton. Words seem empty in trying to
speak of the sadness of his tragic fate. He had a genial smile
for all and had no enemies. Of a warm, sympathetic nature, he
had the good will of everyone with whom he came in contact.
Happy dispositioned, life appeared very bright to him and the
sudden summon came at the height of his career. Death, the grim
reaper, is also no respecter of persons. The dark angel loves a
shining mark, a signal blow.
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, March 30, 1901 Funeral of Joseph Templeton
Under masses of flowers that were sprinkled with the tear
drops of almost countless friends, the remains of Joseph
Templeton, the brave engine driver who went to death at McLean
with his hand on the throttle of his engine, and his whole mind
and body alert and at his post of duty, were laid to rest in the
City Cemetery. The grief in Alton and along the railroad upon
which he was employed for twenty years is universal, and the
attendance at the funeral showed with what admiration he was
viewed by all who knew him, and how high a place he held in the
esteem of his acquaintances and friends. The commonest tribute
heard of the dead engineer is that he was a man above reproach,
and that his place will be vacant forever in the hearts of his
friends. The body arrived Friday evening from Bloomington on the
Prairie State Express. The master hand that drove the engine for
years was lying in the baggage car, a helpless piece of clay,
and others had taken the place he had made vacant. Accompanying
Mr. Charles Bowman were Miss Birdie Darrah, Mr. Templeton's
affianced wife, Fireman George Heritage, Stee Dunham,
representing the fireman's order, and Engineer Art Watkins, who
was Joe's roommate. A request was made by the engineers at
Bloomington that a special train be given to the friends of
Joseph Templeton in order that they might come to Alton to
attend the funeral. The C. & A. officials very readily agreed to
the running of a special train. The committee who made the
request informed the officials that employees would man the
train gratis. Conductor Al Dunn and his brakeman, and Engineer
Miller and his fireman all offered to serve without pay. The
officials tendered the employee engine 57, reserved for the
officials and pay car specials, and also gave the men permission
to drape it with crape. The engine was covered with black and
white cloth. The special was started at 7 a.m., Saturday
morning, and a through run was scheduled. No one but those
invited was permitted to ride, it being desired to restrict the
party to the intimate friends of the dead engineer and to the
representatives of the brotherhood and secret orders. The
services were conducted this afternoon from the home of the
sister of Joe Templeton, Mrs. Charles Bowman, to the Methodist
church at 2:30. Rev. G. W. Shepherd of the First Methodist
church was the officiating clergyman. The house was crowded and
not nearly all those who desired to attend could get in. The
remains were in a casket of gray that was open. The church was
filled to overflowing and the occasion was one of the saddest
that ever was held in the church. Rev. C. W. Shepherd spoke on
the theme, "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in
the morning," from the thirtieth Psalm. The remarks of the
minister were along the line of the life of Joseph Templeton,
which he said was a model for others. Faithfulness to a trust
and strict morality were the rules that governed him, and there
is no doubt that the answer would be, "Well done thou good and
faithful servant." He was faithful in his trust even to
extremity. Mr. Charles Haagen sang Schubert's "Last Greeting,"
and the Methodist church choir sang several times. The
pallbearers were William Naylor, Paul Gorden, Charles Seibold,
F. S. Hurlburt, H. W. Bauer, William Becker, Carl A. Craig, and
Karl Muhl.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 1, 1901
They
Laid Him Away
From the Bloomington Bulletin
- In the shadow of the Lovejoy monument, erected to the memory
of the martyr of abolition days, in the quiet city of the dead
of Alton, they laid the body of Engineer Joseph Templeton to
rest Saturday afternoon. The very elements wept in sympathy for
the bereaved family and friends, and the dark, gloomy day was on
a par with the spirits of the company who assembled to lay him
away. There was a pall upon the hearts of everyone. Eyes unused
to tears were moist and grief was displayed on every
countenance. All felt the sadness of the final rites and seldom
has Alton witnesses a funeral where there was such general grief
and such a universal sorrow. The dead engineer who was laid to
rest was esteemed far more than words can depict. His sudden
summons accentuated the severity of the blow. His last trip
ended in darkness and death, but if the lips now hushed in
eternal silence could break their cerements, they would vouch
that no fear found entrance in his heart before the grim reaper
battered down its walls. Brave, chivalrous and generous to a
fault, there is no need of a monument to keep sacred the memory
of Joe Templeton with those who knew him. And thus ends the life
story of Joe Templeton. It is hard to tell the sorrow that
exists now that he sleeps under the sod. Loyal friend, true
hearted philosopher, large natured lover of his kind, he has
joined the majority and thousands mourn the parting from one
whose very thought was kindness, whose every word was light.
Hate, malice and resentment were unknown passions to him. In all
his life there is no record of wrong doing to a fellow creature,
and he dies as he lived, esteemed by all. Untimely the summons,
but nobly was it met. Long will his memory live. May it never
die!
TEMPLETON, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
20, 1901
Miss Mary Templeton, daughter of Mrs. Caroline
Templeton, died last evening at 5 o'clock after a long illness
with lung troubles. To her friends she was familiarly known as
Mate Templeton. She was a sufferer for many years and had borne
all with patience, realizing that sooner or later there would be
an end to it. Ten days before her death she was taken down with
her last illness and was unable to leave her home. The fatal
change came last Monday, and from that time her condition was
watched with great anxiety by her relatives and friends who were
attending her. Death came Thursday afternoon after long
suffering, and the tired body was at last reposed in the last
sleep. She was in her 33rd year and had been a resident of Alton
nearly all her life. In her circle of acquaintances she had
found many who cherished her friendship and her death will be
sincerely mourned by them. She leaves beside her widowed mother,
a brother, James Templeton, and a sister, Mrs. Charles Bowman.
TENNIS, GERTRUDE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 21,
1900
Mrs. Gertrude Tennis, wife of Henry Tennis of
Godfrey, died this morning at the family home after a short
illness, aged 28. She leaves her husband and two children. The
funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
family home.
TERPENING, EDITH LILLIAN/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, July 5, 1902
Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Terpening were
bereaved Friday morning by the death of their daughter, Edith
Lillian.
TERRENCE, WILLIAM W./Source: Alton Telegraph, November
15, 1845
We regret to state that Mr. William W. Terrence,
a worthy citizen of this county, left his residence on the Sand
Ridge on the morning of the 30th ult., with a wagon for the
purpose of drawing home a load of wood. As he did not come back
at the expected time, his wife became alarmed and sent a man out
to look for him, who returned in the evening without success.
The next morning, however, he was found lying on his back, quite
dead, with bloody froth oozing out of his mouth. His wagon was
standing at a short distance, its progress having been stopped
by a tree against which the horses had run. As no mark of
violence was discovered about the body, it is supposed he was
suddenly carried off by an apoplactic fit. He has left an
affectionate widow, two brothers, and many friends to mourn his
loss.
TERRY, MARTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
27, 1917
Mrs. Martha Terry, widow of Bacon W. Terry and
mother of C. W. Terry, a well known attorney, died this morning
at her home in Edwardsville after a long illness, in her 74th
year. The funeral will be Thursday morning from the family home.
TESSON, FRANCIS HONORE 'FRANK' (CAPTAIN)/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, July 21, 1909
Old Helmsman Crosses the
Bar ... Steers His Craft on Last Trip and Lights Go Out for Him
Capt.
Frank Tesson, one of the oldest pilots on the Mississippi river,
died at 6:30 o'clock Tuesday evening at his residence, 541 east
Sixth street, after a long illness. Capt. Tesson had been
troubled with arterial hardening, which he recognized as a fatal
illness, but he faced his certain end calmly and bore his pain
with a fortitude that did not reveal to those about him the full
extent of his sufferings. During the days when he could no
longer see the steam boats running up and down the river, he
would lay in bed and identify them as they sounded their
whistles or as he might hear their exhausts from their engines
as they would go by in the night. He knew every whistle and he
knew the sound of exhaust from every engine on every steamboat,
and he could recognize them as well in the blackness of night as
he could in daylight. It was only when the end came very near
that the old time river pilot could no longer take interest in
the passing steamboats. He began as a cabin boy on a steamer
when he was 14 years of age. He only ceased following the river
last fall when he became too ill to stand it any longer. He
loved the river, and his place at the wheel of the steamboat he
would never give up until physical disability forced him to do
so. He steered boats out of St. Louis harbor for fifty years.
Capt. Tesson was born at Portage des Sioux, and he would have
been 76 years old in October. Several years ago when he was
serving for a short time as captain of the Belle of Calhoun, of
which he had been pilot, he was blown from the roof of the texas
[uppermost deck] of the boat to the deck below, and was very
badly injured. He was laid up for a long time then, and never
resumed being captain. Last year he served on the steamer Alton.
Capt. Tesson's eyesight was perfect, and he never wore glasses
to help his vision at night when he was at the wheel. Even up to
the last he could tell the time by his watch, which he kept with
him all the time, and the only illumination in the room was a
one candle power lamp against the wall. He could see the time of
night when younger people could not. He was known as one of the
coolest, nerviest pilots on the river. He was an experienced
"jockey" and often with a slow boat would keep a faster boat
from passing him, merely by using the knowledge of steamboats he
had gained in his many years at the helm. He was a devoted
family man, possessed a kind disposition, and his manner was
even and pleasing to everyone he met. He never lost an
opportunity to be pleasant, and seldom allowed the vexations of
river life to worry him. Capt. Tesson had lived in Alton over
half his lifetime, had raised a family in Alton, and there is
not a person to say anything but good of him. His dying will be
generally regretted in a very large circle of friends he
possessed. He leaves his widow and four children. Francis Honore
Tesson was born on a farm near Portage des Sioux in St. Charles
county, Missouri, October 16, 1833. He was of Parisian French
descent, and until he was 17 years of age spoke French entirely.
He moved to St. Louis and lived there until he went on the river
with his uncle, Capt. John King. He had been on the Mississippi
56 years, running most of the time from St. Louis to St. Paul,
afterward in the Calhoun trade. His children are John W. of St.
Louis, Frank D. of New York, Mrs. Bertha A. Montgomery of
Philadelphia, and Mrs. J. D. Makinney of Alton. The funeral will
be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 23, 1909
The funeral of Capt. Francis Honore Tesson, the aged river
pilot, was held this afternoon from the family home on Sixth
street at 3 o'clock. The funeral services were conducted by Rev.
A. G. Lane of the First Presbyterian church. There was a large
attendance of friends of Capt. Tesson. The old river man, in a
long career of activity, is said by his associates never to have
made an enemy, and of those who knew him, all counted themselves
as his friend. There were many beautiful floral offerings from
friends of the aged gentleman, some of them from his former
associates on the river. There were six honorary and six active
pallbearers. The honorary pallbearers were: Thomas L. Stanton,
G. W. Hill, Ed Young and Alex Lamont. The active pallbearers
were: F. H. Ferguson, Joseph Lampert, Thomas Morfoot, Richard
Holden, George Carroll, S. H. Gregory. Burial at City Cemetery
was private.
TESSON, MARY M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 20, 1907
Adopted Daughter of Captain and Mrs. Frank
Tesson
Miss Mary M. Tesson, the niece and
adopted daughter of Captain and Mrs. Frank Tesson, of 541 east
Sixth street, died shortly before noon, Friday, at the Tesson
residence, after a long illness. When it is said that she had
been ill a long time, it may also be said that there was none of
her friends and not even her family knew that she was in poor
health. She never complained and she never let anyone know that
she was not strong and well. She was a young woman of remarkable
sweet disposition, who went through life taking into account
only the bright side and doing all in her power to make others
happy. She had a very strong conception of what was her duty and
she was always diligent in doing it. In this connection it may
be said that she was one of the most efficient teachers in the
First Presbyterian Sunday school. A few weeks ago while on her
way to church she was taken with a sudden attack of the fatal
malady, and as she said afterward she thought that she was dying
on the street. She managed to get control of herself and she
recovered her strength in a short time and went on to Sunday
school and taught her class as usual, saying nothing of her
illness until afterward. She had also suffered from a partial
failure of her eyesight, another effect of the disease, but of
this neither did her family know until it was too late. Recently
she became very ill and when the fact became known her relatives
summoned a physician, but her case was of such gravity it became
apparent at once that she had but small chance to survive. Capt.
Tesson and Mrs. J. D. McKinney, who were in Philadelphia, were
summoned and arrived a few days before her death. She was the
daughter of a brother of Capt. Tesson, who died when she was
three years of age. She came to make her home in Alton with
Capt. and Mrs. Tesson, and ever since then was a member of their
family circle, esteemed as one of the family. She had many
friends who knew her and valued her at her true worth, and she
will be deeply missed in that circle. She was born at St.
Charles, Missouri in February 1872. The time of the funeral has
not been set.
TEUTKEN, DORIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
April 15, 1902
The funeral of Mrs. Doris (or Dories)
Teutken, who died Sunday morning at her home on Bloomfield
street, was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family
home to the German Evangelical church. The church was filled
with the friends of Mrs. Teutken who had known her the many
years she lived in Alton. Rev. Theodore Oberhellman conducted
the services. Burial was in City Cemetery.
THAYER, WILLIAM T./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 28, 1864
Died in Alton, on the 2drd inst., William T. Thayer, formerly
from Meedon, Massachusetts, aged about 30 years. Mr. Thayer had
not long been a resident in our city, but his exemplary conduct
and gentlemanly manners had won the respect and confidence of
most of our business men. He has left a widow, who shares the
heart-felt sympathy of our citizens in her deep affliction.
THEEN,
EKA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 30, 1915
The
funeral of Mrs. Eka Theen was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock
from the German Evangelical Church in which she had held
membership. The services were conducted by Rev. E. L. Mueller,
and were attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
There were many handsome floral offerings. Among those present
were a number of people from out of the city. The pallbearers
were nephews of Mrs. Theen. The pallbearers were all relatives
from Nokomis, Ill., and included the Messrs. Theodore Adden,
William Adden, John Dewerse, William Dewerse, Henry Theen and
William Buechsenschultz. Mrs. Theen, formerly Miss Eka Bruns,
was born in Germany in 1838 and came to this country in 1855. In
1857 she was married to John Theen, who died some time ago.
Since her coming to this country, Mrs. Theen has made her home
in Alton.
THEEN, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 6, 1906
John Theen, a well known resident of
Alton, died this morning at 6:30 o'clock. Mr. Theen was born in
North Germany on the 25th of July, 1834, and came to America
twenty years later. He was a blacksmith by trade, and was a very
competent workman with a fine reputation as a horse shoer. His
wife and five children - two sons and three daughters, survive
him. All his children live in Alton with the exception of one
son who resides in Brighton. Fred Theen, manager of the A. B. C.
Co., is a son of the deceased. The hour of the funeral has not
been fixed. The funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday from
the family home.
THERMON, HERBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 30,
1912
Herbert Thermon, aged 21, died at the home of his
sister, Mrs. Mamie Painter, on Alby street, after a lingering
illness. A year ago he sustained a hip injury in a fall, and
since that time he has been suffering. For the last few months
he has not been able to leave his bed. The surviving members of
his family are a father, A. N. Thermon; two brothers, Claud of
Alton and Alpheus of Nebraska; and one sister, Mrs. J. E.
Painter. The burial will take place Sunday morning at Grafton.
There will be a short service at the home of Mrs. Painter at
7:45 a.m., the Rev. W. T. Cline officiating.
THIELE, CHARLES/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, November 23,
1893
At 10 o'clock Thursday night, Charles Thiele, a
young man well known in Alton, died after a short illness at his
home 644 East Second street, aged 20 years. His death was a
surprise to his many friends, as up to yesterday morning he
could be found at his brother's barber shop where he was
employed. He was taken ill yesterday afternoon with a severe
cold and died at the hour mentioned of a hemorrhage. He leaves a
widowed mother, brother and sister to mourn his death.
THIELE, RENA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 17, 1910
Mrs. Rena Thiele, wife of Louis Thiele, died very
unexpectedly Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock, at the age of 33.
Mrs. Thiele's death is one of the saddest that has occurred in
Alton in many a year. She leaves a family of six children, the
oldest 14 years old, and the youngest four days. There are five
boys and one girl. Mrs. Thiele was getting along nicely, and
Sunday, feeling so well, she decided to get out of bed for a few
minutes. About 5 o'clock in the afternoon as she was sitting
propped up in bed, she fell over to one side and died almost
immediately. The attending physician said that a blood clot that
had formed in her system of blood vessels had gone to her heart
and caused almost instant death. The death of Mrs. Thiele is a
sad blow to her husband and six children, the latter being left
motherless at a time when they are sorely in need of a mother's
care. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock
from the family home (1317 Pearl Street), Rev. E. L. Mueller of
the German Evangelical church officiating.
THEIS,
HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 15, 1918
Henry Theis, father of John Theis, manager of the Young Dry
Goods store, died Friday morning at three o'clock at the family
home at 20th and Beall avenue, after an illness of complication
of diseases lasting over a period of several years. The body has
been removed to his son's home at 1902 Beall avenue, where it
will remain until Saturday afternoon when it will be taken to
his old home at Nashville, Ill. The funeral services will be
held in Nashville, Sunday afternoon. Mr. Theis came to Alton two
years ago from Nashville, having retired from business, in order
to be near his son and family. He was born in Germany and came
to this country when 16 years of age, never having gone back to
visit. He was 67 years of age at the time of the death, and for
forty years he was in the blacksmith and wagon-making business
in Nashville. He is survived by his wife, and two sons, John of
this city, and Walter of Sparta, Ill. The death of Mr. Theis
follows closely on that of Mrs. John Theis' father, which
occurred in St. Louis, February 5th, just ten days ago.
THEISON,
EVA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 19, 1922
Mrs. Eva Theisen, widow of Jacob Theison, died Wednesday night
at 6:30 o'clock at the Nazareth home where she has been making
her home for a number of years. She was born in Germany but has
resided in Alton and vicinity since the age of nine. Death
resulted from a stroke of paralysis. She is survived by four
daughters and a son. The funeral will be held at nine o'clock
Friday morning from the Nazareth Home Chapel.
THIELE,
CAROLINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 13, 1901
Caroline Thiele, the 18 months old child of Louis Thiele,
died last night at the family home, 1317 Pearl street, after a
short illness from spasms. The funeral will take place Wednesday
afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the family home, and Rev.
Theodore Oberhellmann will conduct the services.
THOMA,
ALICE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 2, 1904
Mrs.
Alice Thoma, wife of John Thoma, aged 47 years 6 months, died
Wednesday morning from stomach troubles after a four months
illness at her home in East Alton. She leaves four daughters,
one son, two brothers and one sister, beside her husband. The
funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the
East Alton Baptist church.
THOMAS, ARTHUR/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 14,
1916
Two Boys Find Ex-Convict Frozen in Pasture With Throat
Cut
Two little boys who were coasting came across
the body of a negro lying in Blair's pasture at the head of
Langdon street, Wednesday afternoon about 5 o'clock. A ghastly
wound in the neck inflicted with a razor or sharp knife, which
extended from ear to ear, showed the manner of death. The body
was frozen stiff and had evidently been there for some time.
There was a deep mystery about the finding of the body until
later on, a man who said he was a friend of the man who did the
killing appeared at police headquarters and gave the information
that helped to clear up the mystery. He said that a friend who
boarded with him, George Simpson, was responsible. He declared
that on Tuesday evening Simpson met Arthur Thomas, the man he
afterward slew, and that Thomas invited him to take a walk to a
saloon, which he said was in the neighborhood about 8 or 9
o'clock at night. Simpson, who lived in Upper Alton with a
family named Holman, was unacquainted in the neighborhood. When
he arrived at Fifteenth and Langdon streets, Simpson said, "I
don't see any saloon around here." Thomas assured him there was
one close by, and a minute later he seized Simpson and said, "I
want your money." Simpson, suspicious that all was not right,
had opened his knife in his pocket and when Thomas grabbed him
he defended himself. He stabbed Thomas in the heart he said, and
then he slashed his throat from ear to ear. Then Simpson went to
Ed Young's saloon in the east and said he had cut a man and did
not know how bad it was. He said he was going away for a few
days to confer with some friends, and would be back to give
himself up. At the saloon it was said that nothing was thought
of the story and no attention paid to it. The story was recalled
when the body of the dead negro was found. Thomas, it was said,
was an ex-convict, and came here from Springfield, Ill. A more
careful examination of the body this morning revealed the fact
that Thomas had been cut four times. Besides being cut once over
the heart and having his throat cut, he was cut one place in the
neck and another on the back. Two caps were found near the body
of the dead man. One of the caps may lead to the identity of the
man who committed the crime. Six colored men have been selected
for the coroner's jury. They are Rev. Brown, Rev. Higgins, Rev.
Brewer, Connie Knight, Sam Evans, and George Means.
Later....Simpson surrendered late this afternoon and told the
police the story of the alleged robbery and self-defense related
above.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
15, 1916 Coroner's Jury Exonerates Slayer
Arthur [sic -
should be George?] Simpson, the negro who killed Arthur Thomas
at Fifteenth and Langdon streets Tuesday evening was exonerated
by the coroner's jury empanelled by Coroner Roy A. Lowe Thursday
evening, Simpson was examined by the jury and given opportunity
to tell his story. He impressed the jury with a straightforward
statement, and the verdict of the jury was that Simpson was
justified. One feature of his story was that he walked all the
way from St. Louis without food Thursday, to give himself
up....He had spent what change he had except a dime, and he
spent five cents of that to cross the McKinley bridge. Then it
was up to him to walk the 25 miles so he could surrender to the
Alton police.....Simpson told the coroner's jury that it was
booze and nothing but booze that caused the killing. He said
that if he had not been drinking he would not have thought of
going with Thomas.....Three colored preachers and three other
men were on the jury. The body of Arthur Thomas was shipped to
Springfield today and will be buried there on Sunday.
THOMAS, CAROLINE M./Source: Alton Telegraph, December 23,
1864
Died in Alton, December 19, 1864, Mrs. Caroline M.
Thomas, wife of Charles H. Thomas, aged 30 years.
THOMAS, CHARLES E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 8,
1900
Charles E. Thomas, a driver for the Adams Express
Company, died last night at his home, 912 State Street, after a
month's illness. His death was unexpected as his illness was not
considered serious until a few days before his death. He was
thought to be improving until yesterday afternoon, when he took
a sudden change for the worse and death resulted last night. He
was 35 years of age and had lived in Alton two years, having
come here with his family, consisting of a wife and three
children, from Ipava. He was a brother of J. B. Thomas of Alton,
and a son of George T. Thomas of Ipava, who is now in this city
and was here when his son died. The funeral will be Sunday
morning at 8 o'clock, and the body will be taken to the Ridge
street station for shipment to Ipava. The services will be under
the auspices of Fleur de Lys lodge.
THOMAS, ETHEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28, 1920
Ethel, the thirty months old child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Thomas, died this morning at 3:10 o'clock at the family home at
5 Harriet Street, Yager Park. The little one has been sick for
over two years. Besides her parents the little one leaves four
sisters and one brother. The funeral will be held Thursday at 2
o'clock from the family home. Services will be conducted by Rev.
Fred Stelzreide of the Washington Avenue Methodist church.
THOMAS, JOHN/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 9, 1893
Mr. John Thomas, a farmer living in Foster township, two and a
half miles from Upper Alton, was found dead in a field early
this morning. Mr. Thomas went out Tuesday from his home and did
not return either to dinner or supper. Search was made for him
without avail last night, but he was found early this morning.
It is not known at this writing what was the cause of his death.
The coroner has been sent for. Mr. Thomas was 72 years of age,
and was well known in Upper Alton and vicinity.
THOMAS, JOHN P./Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 29, 1891
Mr. John P. Thomas died early this morning at the residence
of his daughter, Mrs. Julius Stumpf, 218 Langdon street, at the
advanced age of 82 years. Mr. Thomas was born in France, coming
to this country in 1847. He had been a resident of Alton for
years, and leaves, besides Mrs. Stumpf, another daughter and a
son ...[unreadable] ...a son and daughter in Belleville. The
funeral will take place at St. Mary's church at 3:30 o'clock
a.m. Thursday.
THOMAS, PHIL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 18,
1907
Murdered In Revenge in Happy Hollow, Near Eighth and
Piasa Streets
Phil Thomas, a negro hod carrier, was murdered
Saturday night by Mary Anderson in revenge, because Thomas
struck the woman a blow on the eye during a quarrel. A
neighborhood gathering of negroes was being held at the home of
Ed Green in Happy Hollow, near Eighth and Piasa. Thomas was
drunk and happy, but a tinge of ill humor spoiled the pleasure
of the whole. Everything was not as happy as it should have been
for some reason, and according to the statements made by those
who were present and the negro woman herself, who is in jail on
the charge of murder, Thomas invited her outside and she went.
He struck her a blow on the eye, making a big lump. The woman
was determined to be revenged on Thomas for this ungaliant
action, and while Thomas went back to the house to join the
social gathering, she went downtown to a pawnshop and bought a
revolver. She came back to the house where Thomas was staying,
and Thomas was by this time in a jovial mood. He was paying his
board when a rap on the door caused it to be opened, and a woman
outside named Bessie Martin asked Thomas to come out. "Wha foh
you wan me to come out. Ye trying to get me killed, honey, I
expect," Thomas is said to have responded, as he stepped outside
the door. Then there was a fusilade of shots and Thomas fell
with a bullet in his neck and one in his back. The negroes in
the house paid no attention to it, for shooting is a frequent
occurrence in Happy Hollow, but generally no one gets hurt. When
Officer Lyons arrived on the scene, he found Thomas lying dead
on the step, and the negroes in the house knew nothing of it, no
one having stirred outside to investigate the shooting. But for
the negro woman's admission that she shot Thomas, there would be
no evidence of much value that she did it. She was arrested
immediately afterwards, on giving herself up. She claimed she
threw the revolver in a manhole of a sewer at Second and Piasa
street, but it could not be found. When the ambulance went to
haul the body of Thomas to deputy coroner Keiser's morgue, the
driver drove the horse and ambulance over a bank in the darkness
near Happy Hollow and overturned the vehicle. Another wagon was
secured to haul the body in. The inquest will be held tonight.
The woman Monday afternoon waived examination and was committed
to the county jail to await the action of the grand jury.
Coroner's Jury Holds Mary Anderson
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 22, 1907
The jury impaneled to hold an
inquest over the body of Phil Thomas was reconvened last
evening, and after hearing the evidence of Bessie Martin, they
found a verdict holding Mary Anderson for murder, without bail.
Hod Carriers' Union Buries Phil Thomas
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, February 19, 1907
The funeral of Phil
Thomas, the negro who was shot Saturday night by Mary Anderson,
in Happy Hollow, was held Tuesday afternoon from Keiser’s
undertaking establishment. The hod carriers’ union had charge of
the funeral. Deputy Coroner Keiser has been making an effort to
get the watch which Thomas carried, and which is missing. A
watch chain which was attached to it was broken, and only the
stub of it was left. It was claimed that Thomas had pawned the
watch, but it is believed that someone lifted it off his person
after he was killed.
Deputy Coroner Keiser has been
searching for Bessie Martin, a negro woman who is said to have
called Thomas to the door. The woman, having a groundless fear
that she would be held for complicity in the killing, has
disappeared, and the search for her has been fruitless. Deputy
Coroner Keiser says that he merely wants to tell what she knows
of the killing, and that there is no intention of arresting her.
The inquest has been postponed to Wednesday evening. The grand
jury has taken up the case of the Anderson woman, and will hear
witnesses at once.
The Case Against Mary Anderson
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 26, 1907
The case
against Mary Anderson is the result of the killing of Phil
Thomas, a negro, in a fight in Happy Hollow. The woman admitted
killing Thomas. She has been in jail since the night of the
killing. Bessie Martin, an Alton colored woman who was with Mary
Anderson when the latter shot Phil Thomas, February 16, is held
by a “weird untenable fear,” and when she isn’t holding it, it
is following her around like Mary’s little lamb followed Mary.
Mary Anderson Tries to Hang Herself
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, February 28, 1907
Mary Anderson, the
slayer of Phil Thomas, endeavored to commit suicide by hanging
herself in her cell last night in the county jail, using some
bed clothes as a rope. She was discovered by the jailer just in
time, it is said, to prevent strangulation.
Confessed
Murderer Goes to Penitentiary
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 28, 1907
Sheriff David Jones today took
to Joliet, Mary Anderson, the negro woman who confessed to the
murder of Phil Thomas, and who pleaded guilty in the city court
yesterday. The husband of the woman accompanied her to the
train, and the parting between the two was a touching one.
THOMAS, SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 8,
1905
Samuel Thomas, who was fatally injured Wednesday
night during a fight in which Austin Gilbert struck him and
knocked him down, died at St. Joseph's hospital about 9 o'clock
this morning. He never regained consciousness. Deputy Coroner A.
L. Keiser impaneled a jury today to hold an inquest beginning at
4 o'clock this afternoon. Eye-witnesses of the assault say that
Gilbert struck Thomas a very hard blow on the jaw, and Thomas
being small and light was lifted off his feet and knocked from
the sidewalk to the paved street, striking on his head. The
fracture of his skull probably was caused by his falling to the
brick paving. Gilbert, who committed the assault, seems to be
very much worried about the predicament in which he has been
placed. He struck the blow without intending to kill Thomas, but
the outcome of the blow was quite different from what was
intended. Gilbert has not eaten or slept since his
incarceration. He is being held pending an outcome of Thomas'
injuries, but the attending surgeon says that Thomas has no
chance to live.
THOMAS, UNKNOWN WIFE OF WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 13, 1916
Wife of Former Police Officer
The Telegraph a few days ago contained an
account of the serious condition of Mrs. William Thomas, a
trained nurse, following a stroke of paralysis. She was then at
the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Anthis in Yager Park, but
was removed to St. Joseph's Hospital for more expert treatment.
She passed away yesterday. She was 59 years of age and is
survived by her husband and four children: three daughters, Mrs.
Anthis of Alton; Mrs. Walter Hill of St. Louis; Mrs. Clem
Hawkins of Chicago; and one son, Earl Thomas of Alton. The
funeral will be Friday morning from St. Patrick's Church and
burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Thomas was well and
widely known in Alton and vicinity, and there will be sincere
sorrow when her death is heard of. She was a good, kindly,
helpful woman, and a good wife and mother. Her husband, former
officer William Thomas, became totally blind more than a year
ago, and Mrs. Thomas and her daughter, Mrs. Anthis, have taken
care of him since. Her death will be a severe blow to the blind
husband left behind, although the children are showing him every
care and attention. The daughters are here from their respective
homes in other cities.
THOMAS, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
24, 1907
Will Thomas Killed in Premature Explosion At
Armstrong Quarry in Alton - Father Also Injured
William Thomas, aged 17, was
killed and five other men were badly injured in a premature
explosion at the Armstrong quarries at 2:45 o'clock this
afternoon. Thomas was buried under thousands of tons of stone
that fell upon him from a height of 34 feet, and his body is
terribly mangled. Jack Thomas, Gus Schwarberg, William Johnson,
Samuel Webb and John Grace are all badly injured, some of them
having bones fractured. Jack Thomas and Gus Schwarberg were
fixing a blast on a high ledge 34 feet above the bottom of the
quarry. They had loaded two holes with dynamite and were tamping
the third, when the terrific explosion came. The other four men,
Schwarberg, Johnson, Webb and Grace, were working down in the
bottom of the quarry directly under the part of the ledge where
the shots were being rammed. When the big explosion came, Jack
Thomas and Gus Schwarberg were thrown into the air and over the
ledge. A great avalanche of lighter pieces of stone covered the
men down in the bottom of the quarry. Will Thomas was close to
the rock ledge and was completely covered with the great mass of
stone that fell. His body had not been recovered up to 4 o'clock
this afternoon, although workmen are working with all their
might and strength to reach the dead man. William Johnson had a
narrow escape; the stone seemed to pick him up and carry him
along with it instead of crushing him. The other men are cut,
bruised and broken as a result of the sharp edged stones falling
on them. A horse attached to a cart directly under the ledge was
cut and bruised, and the harness was cut up so badly that the
mule was freed from the cart. Immediately after the explosion
the survivors set to work removing the stone which buried the
body of Will Thomas. His father was first carried down to the
railroad track and put in a shanty, and the fact that his son
was dead was kept from him. He kept pleading to know whether his
son was still alive and whether he had been taken out, but the
men all kept silent and evaded answering his questions as they
carried one after another of the victims down to the shed where
they could be loaded in an ambulance. At the quarry a great
mountain of rock like an avalanche was lying on top of the body
of young Thomas. The men who escaped with comparatively slight
injuries were recounting the incidents of their escape while
nursing their bruises and waiting for the ambulance. Thomas and
Schwarburg were on top of the ledge, 34 feet above where the
gang of men down below were loading stone into a cart to be
hauled away before another blast was set off. Schwarburg, the
foreman, was superintending the job. Two holes had been filled
and the third was being tamped down when for some reason the one
being filled went off and the concussion set off the others.
Jack Thomas, who was using the tamping bar, was horribly burned
about the face and hands. He fell down with Schwarburg and both
landed on top of the mass of rock. Their escape from instant
death is considered miraculous. Schwarburg is badly hurt about
the face and breast, and he may have some broken ribs and other
bad injuries. William Johnson was standing beside Will Thomas,
who was killed, and when the rock fell he was struck by a big
boulder, which rolled him out of the way. He suffered injuries
to his arms and legs, but is not considered dangerously hurt.
John Grace also was close by young Thomas, and he too was pushed
out of the way by the immense mass. Samuel Webb was badly hurt
about the body by being struck by an immense stone. The horse
which was stripped of its harness and thrown out of the shafts
of the cart, stood quietly where it was pushed by the mass of
rock and no one paid any attention to its wounds, although the
poor animal was badly cut and bruised. Dr. J. B. Hastings
responded to a hurry up call and he gave the men some attention
and had them taken to St. Joseph's hospital. The outcome of the
injuries of Schwarburg, Jack Thomas and Webb is very much in
doubt. Their condition is grave. The ledge where the accident
happened is up near the top of the bluff, and the floor of the
quarry is about fifty feet from the railroad track.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 25, 1907
....Thomas, father of the boy who was killed, is the worst hurt.
He has lost one eye and may be blind in the other, if he
recovers. He has many painful bruises......The body of Will
Thomas was moved to the family home this morning by Deputy
Coroner Keiser. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning and
services in the home will be conducted by Rev. J. A. Scarritt,
D. D. Burial will be at Melville. The father will be unable to
attend his son's funeral.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, September 25, 1907
Premonition of Nephew's Death?
The superstitiously inclined, and those who believe in
signs, omens, etc., can point to the experience of Mrs. John
Kelley of east Third street antedating the calamity that befell
relatives of her yesterday as substantiating their belief
somewhat. Mrs. Kelly is a sister of Mrs. Jack Thomas and was
greatly attached to her nephew Will, who was killed outright
yesterday afternoon at Armstrong's quarry. Mrs. Kelly was uneasy
and anxious all day yesterday and told several of her neighbors,
it is said, that she knew something awful was about to happen to
some one belonging to her. She had no idea what form the
calamity would take, nor who the victim would be, but she felt
sure someone akin to her was about to suffer severely. Monday
night she was aroused from her sleep by a something which she
described as "a feeling that there was someone in the room." She
arose and examined not only the room but the entire house
occupied by her family, but found nobody. The experience was
repeated several times Monday night, according to the story and
to add to the mysticism of it, every time she turned on the
electric light in the kitchen during her investigation tours, it
would suddenly go out or be turned off. It was following the
above experience that she declared her belief in an approaching
calamity.
THOMPSON, DAVID "DAVY"/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, June 22, 1900
David Thompson, a well known
character in the East End, and a resident of Alton for many
years, died at St. Joseph's hospital last evening at 5 o'clock,
after an illness with malaria fever. He was 67 years of age, and
leaves three sons in this city. Thompson lived in a shanty boat
on the sandbar, and was taken from there yesterday morning to
the hospital for treatment. The funeral will be Saturday morning
at 9 o'clock.
THOMPSON, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 3,
1900
Aged Farmer Killed in Runaway Accident
George
Thompson, aged 79 years, was instantly killed yesterday
afternoon while at work on the farm of Joseph Spurgeon, two
miles from Upper Alton, by being crushed under a load of wood he
had piled on his wagon. The tragedy was caused by a spirited
team that was hitched to the wagon taking fright and running
away, Thompson remaining on the wagon in an attempt to stop the
runaway horses. Mr. Thompson was an active man, notwithstanding
his seventy-nine years, and continued to do the work of a
younger man about his place near Upper Alton. He was hauling
wood from the place of Mr. Joseph Spurgeon yesterday morning.
The horses were wild, having run away several times before, and
suddenly they started on a mad run. Mr. Thompson held on to the
reins, but the wagon tipped over and he fell to the ground, the
wood falling on top of him. When picked up he was dead, and it
is supposed death was instant. Thompson was father of a family
of children, all of whom are dead, and he leaves only a wife,
who is of advanced age.
THOMPSON,
HARRIET/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2, 1908
Mrs.
Harriet Thompson, aged 18, a wife of three years, died last
evening at the family home, 1014 Union street, after a long
illness from consumption. She leaves no children. The funeral
will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family
home, and burial will be in City cemetery.
THOMPSON, JENNIE H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 19,
1919
Aged Alton Woman Had Interesting History
Madame
Jennie H. Thompson died Sunday morning at 7:30 o'clock at the
Old Ladies Home, after an illness of several weeks. She was in
her ninety-fifth year. Madame Thompson was the widow of the late
William C. Thompson of Upper Alton. The funeral will be held
Tuesday afternoon at the Old Ladies Home at 2 o'clock and will
be conducted by Rev. David T. Magill, pastor of the College
Avenue Baptist Church, of which Madame Thompson was a member,
and Rev. W. M. Rhoads. The burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery,
east of Upper Alton, beside her husband. Madame Thompson was a
woman with an interesting history. Her maiden name was
Gangnebien. She was born in Switzerland, in the Alps, near
Geneva, of French parents. Her father was a soldier in
Napoleon's army. When nine years of age she was taken into the
family of the historian, d'Aubigne, who wrote the "History of
the Dutch Reformation," and made her home at Geneva. At that
time Geneva was a center for the Calvinists and she received
special educational training from Dr. Malan, a professor in the
University of Switzerland, and also from Mrs. Stephenson, the
wife of Doctor Stephenson, another professor in the University.
At Geneva she formed the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Fletcher of America, Fletcher at that time being connected with
the University. Later Fletcher was appointed as United States
Minister to Portugal, and Madame Thompson and Mrs. Fletcher came
to America, taking up their residence in New York City. Here she
had charge of the educational training of the two Fletcher
children, George and Julia, the latter afterwards becoming a
novelist. While living with the Fletchers, Madame Thompson
became intimate with many notables in the literary world,
including John Greenleaf Whittier, William Culien Bryant, and
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After the death of her father, her
mother and sister came to America, and settled in Upper Alton.
Madame Thompson came West and made her home with them. She
taught French in Shurtleff College and in the old Wyman
Institute, now the Western Military Academy. While at the latter
institution she met Mr. Thompson and married him. After the
death of Mr. Thompson, Madame Thompson sustained a fracture of
her hip. Having no known relatives she entered the Old Ladies
Home, where she has since resided. To all her friends she was
known as Madame Thompson because she preferred to be known by
the title used in her native land, to which she had become
accustomed.
THOMPSON, JOHN FRANKLIN/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, July 5, 1919
John Franklin Thompson, 84 years
old, died yesterday at his home at Fosterburg. He leaves his
widow and several children. He will be buried tomorrow afternoon
from the Fosterburg Baptist church.
THOMPSON, MARIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 27, 1920
Mrs. Maria Thompson died at her home in Fosterburg Thursday
afternoon of uraemic poisoning. If she had lived until September
22, she would have been 80 years of age. She was around as usual
Wednesday and was taken ill during the night. Mrs. Thompson was
one of our oldest native born citizens, having been a member of
the old Pruitt family pioneer settlers of this county. Her
husband, J. F. Thompson, died a little over a year ago. Mrs.
Thompson was a good Christian lady; very kindly in all her
doings, and had many friends who are sorry to hear of her death.
She leaves three children, Harry Thompson and Miss Nellie
Thompson, who lived with her, and Mrs. D. M. Bishop of Kirkwood,
Mo.; also two brothers, Frank and Shields Pruitt, of Okla.,
besides numerous other relatives. Funeral arrangements are not
complete at this time.
THOMPSON, MIRANDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 27,
1919
Mrs. Miranda Thompson, wife of Moses Thompson, died
at the family home at Fosterburg this morning at 5:55 o'clock
after an illness of three weeks. Mrs. Thompson was 77 years of
age on Wednesday, December 24, but was too ill to celebrate the
occasion. Mrs. Thompson has spent her entire life in the
Fosterburg neighborhood, having been born at Dorsey. She was
well known for her many charitable acts and church work. She is
survived by her husband, Mose Thompson, and six children, Mrs.
Marlon Cope of Joplin; Jake Thompson of Bethalto; Mrs. G. E.
Miller of Crawford, Colo., Mrs. J. M. Campbell of Brighton,
Rodney Thompson and Miss Rand Thompson.
THOMPSON, MOSES and son RODNEY/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 17, 1922
Double Funeral at Fosterburg
The double funeral of Moses Thompson and his son, Rodney,
will be held at Fosterburg at 1 o'clock on Sunday afternoon,
according to arrangements completed today. The services will be
held in Memorial hall and will be in charge of Rev. Frederick
Webber, former pastor of the church. It was stated that William
Thompson, aged 84, and a brother of Moses Thompson, was barely
alive today, and his death was expected at any minute. The
daughter from Colorado was being expected today on every train
from St. Louis, as she was due to arrive in that city this
morning. Mrs. Jack Campbell of Upper Alton, another member of
the Thompson family, was reported somewhat better today. She was
brought to her home in Upper Alton a few days ago on account of
illness. She had been at the home of her father in Fosterburg,
helping to take care of the sick people.
THOMPSON,
RODNEY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 14, 1922
Rodney Thompson, aged 38, is dead, his father, Mose Thompson
and his uncle, William Thompson, are in serious condition at the
family home at Fosterburg. Pneumonia is the cause. The death
occurred at 5 a.m. today. A sister of the dead man, Mrs. John
Campbell of Alton, is sick too, after giving her services in
helping another sister, Miss Randa Thompson, to take care of the
patients. Father and uncle do not know of the death of Rodney
Thompson. The fact that he had died was kept from them as it was
feared that it might have a bad effect on their cases if they
learned of it. The body of the dead man was quietly taken away
from the house this morning and moved to the Streeper
undertaking establishment in Upper Alton, to be held there until
word can be received from Mrs. Guy E. Miller, of Craig, Colo.,
who may come to attend the funeral. The deceased leaves one
brother, Jacob Thompson of Bethalto, and four sisters, Miss
Randa Thompson of Fosterburg, Mrs. Guy E. Miller of Craig,
Colo., Mrs. Marion Cope of Joplin, Mo., and Mrs. John Campbell
of Alton. Announcement of the time of the funeral will be made
later.
THOMPSON, ROSE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October
9, 1918
The funeral of Mrs. Rose Thompson, aged 30, was
held this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the home of her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Hyman of Shields street. Mrs.
Thompson died Monday night from concussion of the brain,
following an accident in which the woman jumped from a moving
car.
THOMPSON, RUTH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24,
1905
The funeral of Mrs. Ruth Thompson, the "grandma of
East End ....", was held this afternoon in the home of her son,
Mr. Tot...., and was attended by practically all residents of
East End place. Services were conducted by Rev. S. McKenney.
THOMPSON,
SAMUEL T./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 7, 1912
Double Tragedy in Wood River - Village
Marshal Slain - and Kills Slayer
Village Marshal Samuel T.
Thompson of Wood River was killed instantly by a negro named Sam
Williams on Ferguson avenue in Wood River Friday night, but at
the same instant that the negro fired two shots with a shotgun
at Thompson, the latter fired twice with his revolver, and he
mortally wounded the negro. Williams died at the hospital about
9:30 o'clock, three hours after the shooting, immediately after
he was carried through the doors of that institution. The
shooting resulted from the fact that the negro, who had been
working for Bash & Gray, the waterworks contractors, had been
drinking heavily and quit work. He had been partially paid off
and demanded more money from his foreman, O. S. Short, who
declared he would not pay the negro while he was drunk, nor
could he until he had a chance to look up his books. The negro
procured a shotgun and started out hunting for Short. Thompson
was notified and he went in search of the negro. When they met,
Thompson attempted to arrest the negro, who started to move off,
then drew his shotgun and fired twice at Thompson. At the same
instant Thompson fired twice at him. One of Thompson's shots
sheared the fingers off the "shooting" hand of the negro, and
the other bullet pierced his body near the negro's heart. The
two charges of shot struck Thompson in the side and tore his
side to pieces. The negro was about ten feet from Thompson when
the shooting occurred. When the people of Wood River saw that
Thompson was dead, they went in search of Williams, the negro,
who had run off about 175 feet and dropped in a clump of weeds.
Searchers for him stumbled over his body, and they carried it to
the office of Dr. Barton. It was not known the negro was
mortally wounded, and there were suggestions made that the negro
by lynched, but Mayor Stowell Beach and Deputy Sheriff Peter
Fitzgerald made speeches urging the people not to do such a
thing as the negro was mortally wounded. He was hurried to Alton
in an auto, and died there over three hours after the shooting.
Thompson was 52 years of age, and he leaves his wife and six
children. He was a courageous man and has done good service
since taking the office of village marshal of Wood River. He was
known as a good shot, and a man of good judgment. Williams, the
negro who was killed by Thompson, had a woman who claims to be
his wife at Wood River. He had come there to work on the sewer
and waterworks contract. Chief of Police J. A. Lynn, Officer Gus
Rotsch, and Deputy Sheriff Peter Fitzgerald got word in time to
catch the 6 o'clock car for Wood River. When they arrived they
called for an automobile from the Heuser and Meyer garage and
hurried to the scene. They reached there before the mob had
found the negro. Excitement ran high, but no one seemed to want
to go near the house. The trio of Alton officers went for the
house. It was a small house with scanty furniture. The negress
was pacing up and down the floor, wringing her hands pleading
with the crowd not to molest her, as she had not seen her
husband all afternoon. They searched the house, the mob having
become more bold with the presence of the officers. John Schmidt
was the first to stumble over the body, seventy-five yards from
the house in a clump of weeds. When it was learned he was
wounded, many men seemed to acquire a streak of boldness.
Several rushed up and wanted to kick him. Others wanted to
string him up at once. The chief, who wore a cap and did not
display his official badge and kept the mob guessing by his
authoritative manner, ordered the man's removal to the doctor's
office. The crowd cried out they wanted him. The chief and the
deputy sheriff stood them off, promising to see how his wounds
would turn out. Everybody wanted to help carry the negro to Dr.
Barton's office. Then the demonstration began. A crowd of
several hundred with guns, revolvers, axes, and picks gathered
and demanded to get the negro. Mayor S. A. Beach, during the
examination, came out of the doctor's office and pleaded with
the mob not to disgrace the town "by any unsightly affair." But
the mob wouldn't listen. They demanded that the two physicians,
Drs. Barton and Gottschalk, come out and make a speech telling
that he would die before they would promise to refrain from
vengeance. The chief then threatened a little force and for a
time it seemed as if there would be trouble. But repeated
assurances that the negro was going to die calmed them a little,
while the crowd kept increasing. When the auto arrived, a number
declared that the negro would not be taken away. But in spite of
repeated threats to shoot the officers and cut the auto tires,
the officers made human targets of themselves for an excited
crowd, and with only their guns drawn as almost futile defense,
they whizzed off. Fortunately no shots were fired, for they
might have struck the men in the auto. They got away safely.
Excitement is at a pretty high pitch in Wood River, as a result
of the shooting, and the contracting foreman have stated that no
more negroes will be hired on the sewer job. Williams came from
Plainfield several months ago with his wife, and resided in a
house about two blocks west of the school house. He was known as
a troublesome negro, and according to Mayor Stowell Beach, had
served a term in Chester. He worked very irregularly for the
sewer company, getting laid off an account of drinking. It was
supposed at first that the shots struck him once on the hand and
again under the heart, but an examination by Coroner Sims after
his death at the hospital revealed the fact that he was shot
through the leg. This would go to show that the bullet which
took off his fingers also went through his body near the heart,
as he held his hand up from front of his body. The other shot
evidently struck him in the leg. The negro emptied both barrels
at the Marshal, drawing the trigger with his crippled hand. When
Mr. Thompson dropped with his head towards the street on the
sidewalk, the negro ran. The crowd that gathered ran to Mr.
Thompson and carried him into the Short boarding house where he
died in ten minutes. He kept moaning, but was unconscious. The
search for the negro began, and it was over a half hour before
he was found by John Schmid in a clump of weeds in the back of
his house about 75 yards away. In the meantime the crowd had
searched his house. The news was brought to Mrs. Thompson as she
was serving at the church supper given at the Union Mission. She
is not in the best of health and was almost prostrated.....Mr.
Thompson's body was also taken to Alton last night in the Jacoby
undertaking wagon, and will be brought down tomorrow to the
house. The funeral will be held early Monday morning under the
auspices of the Odd Fellow lodge, which Mr. Thompson organized.
Odd Fellows will be pallbearers. The Rev. Fisher, pastor of the
Union Mission, will officiate. The funeral party will take the
9:32 C. and A. train, and will go to East St. Louis, where the
body will be buried in Mt. Hope cemetery. Mr. Thompson was born
in Barron Furness, England, and came to America when a young
man. He lived eleven years in East St. Louis, where he was a
contractor. On coming to wood River three years ago he opened a
store, but it is said did not make the success he desired of it
and sold out. Since that time he has been serving as Marshal for
two and a half years. He was married twice. He leaves two
children by the first wife, Mrs. Ina May Seagon of Bingham,
Ill., and Ernest T. Thompson of East St. Louis. The second wife,
four children, Freeland, Byron, Grace and Mary Thompson survive
him. Friends of Thompson and fellow lodge members remember with
a tinge of sadness that he was unusually pleasant at the lodge
meeting of the Odd Fellows lodge on the night before his death.
He was laughing and joking with them and said, "boys our lodge
has been organized a year now without a death, and I hope we'll
make another year without anything of the kind." He then had no
idea that he was marked for a tragic fate then he had even
suggested for any one of his fellow men.
THOMPSON, STELLE R./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January
4, 1922
Woman Sleeps Three Months, Dying Today
Mrs.
Stelle R. Thompson, wife of Ernest Thompson, died this morning
at 8:40 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Edith Thompson, her
mother-in-law, 2400 State street. Mrs. Thompson's case was a
peculiar one. She began suffering from a malady which produced
an inclination toward drowsiness, and for the past three months
she was asleep most of the time. Doctors were puzzled over her
condition, and there was a difference of opinion. A specialist
diagnosed her case as being one of tumor on the brain, and he
urged a surgical operation to relieve it. Her condition failed
to improve and she continued to grow weaker until the end came
this morning. Mrs. Thompson leaves her husband, also her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of St. Louis, and three
brothers, Arthur, Luther and Merrill Smith of St. Louis. She was
a member of the Washington avenue Methodist church. The fune4ral
will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home of
Mrs. Thompson, 2400 State street. Burial will be in Oakwood
cemetery. There was some who believed that Mrs. Thompson was
suffering from sleeping sickness on account of her inclination
to sleep most of the time, but this view of her case was
dissipated when she failed to show any other of the well known
symptoms of that disease, and also that she failed to rally or
the malady failed to prove fatal sooner than it did.
THOMPSON,
SUSAN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 1, 1903
After a long illness from Bright's disease, Mrs. Susan Thompson
died this morning at 6 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
W. J. Ashlock, on Front street. Mrs. Thompson had lived in the
vicinity of Fosterburg since girlhood. She was born in North
Carolina and was 78 years of age. A few days ago she came to
Alton for medical treatment and was staying at her daughter's
home. She leaves two sons, Hiram Foster of Independence, Kansas,
and Martin Thompson of Fosterburg; two daughters, Mrs. W. J.
Ashlock of Alton and Mrs. Leonard Rammes of Mt. Olive. She
leaves a brother, Martin Chandler of Butler, Illinois, and a
sister, Mrs. Eliza Young of Upper Alton. Mrs. Thompson was a
devoted member of the Baptist church nearly all her life, and in
the community where she lived was a shining example of Christian
womanhood.
THOMPSON, TOMMY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 29,
1913
Found Floating Near Skinny Island
The body
of Tommy Thompson was found floating in the river by two
fishermen at Skinny Island, Monday afternoon, about fourteen
hours after the drowning occurred. The body was in such
condition that it was necessary to have a hasty funeral this
morning and remove it from the undertaking rooms of Jacoby & Co.
There was no chance of telling whether or not Tommy had been
subjected to any physical violence before he sank in the river,
as the body was bloated almost beyond recognition. There is a
story going the rounds among some of Thompson's friends that he
had $40 Saturday night, and that after paying some of it out he
had $27 left, but this money could not be found when Thompson's
clothes were lying on the river bank. It is said that on the day
following the drowning of Thompson, there were some of the
associates of Thompson who seemed to have some money, but
whether they won it from Thompson or how they got it, no one is
willing to say.
THOMPSON, UNKNOWN WIFE OF MANFORD (nee
REILLEY)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 15, 1918
Mrs. Manford Thompson of East Broadway died last night at
her home, leaving her husband and several children, ranging in
age from 10 years to 7 or 8 months. Mrs. Thompson died after a
short illness with influenza and pneumonia. She was 36 years of
age. Mrs. Thompson was born and raised in the vicinity of East
Alton, coming to Alton just a short time ago to reside. She was
well known in East Alton. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the East
Alton Baptist church. She is the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth
Reilley. Besides her husband, children and mother, Mrs. Thompson
leaves three sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Sadie Glass of East
Alton; Mrs. Lou Ackerman of Canada; Mrs. Warren Cook; Alfred and
William Reilley of St. Louis. Funeral arrangements are
incomplete.
THOMSE, UNKNOWN WIFE OF JOHN/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 10, 1904
East Alton News - The funeral
of Mrs. John Thomse took place Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock
at the Baptist church. The pallbearers were: S. M. Hawkins, John
Earl, Adam Reiffer, Charles J. Ferguson, Frank Worthington,
Albert Jones. Interment at Mt. Olive Cemetery.
THORNBERRY, VERA (nee BATES)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
April 17, 1918
Without learning
that her baby did not live, Mrs. Vera Bates Thornberry died
Tuesday afternoon about 5 o'clock at St. Joseph's hospital where
she has been for the past four days. The young mother was but 20
years of age, and was married a year ago the fourth of last
month to Michael Thornberry, who survives her. Mrs. Thornberry
was born in Kimmsrick, Mo, but has spent most of her life in
Alton, residing here with her family at intervals. The last time
the Bates family came to Alton was five years ago. She is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bates of Madison avenue, and
leaves besides her parents two brothers, Ernest and Loyd Bates,
and four sisters, Etta, Nettie, Amy and Nina. Mr. and Mrs.
Thornberry also resided on Madison avenue, having a home of
their own at 242. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at
2 o'clock from the home, Rev. A. C. Geyer officiating. Interment
will be in the City Cemetery.
THORNTON,
ALBERTINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 4, 1920
Mrs. Albertine Thornton, aged 51, widow of E. C. Thornton,
of 280 Madison avenue, died Friday night at 7:20 o'clock at St.
Joseph's Hospital where she was taken Wednesday afternoon in
order that she might have expert attention. Mrs. Thornton was
taken ill three weeks ago, and from the first her condition was
known to be serious. She suffered from heart trouble, together
with complications of diseases. Although suffering keenly during
the past weeks of her illness, her death was quiet and
beautiful, the end coming as she was surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Thornton was born and raised in Alton, and was one of the
city's best known women. She was kind and sympathetic, and was
ever ready to lend a hand when trouble and death entered the
home of a friend. She was beloved by her large circle of
friends, and her death was received with much sadness. Mrs.
Thornton was born in Alton 51 years ago last July, and spent her
entire life in this city. She was married to E. C. Thornton, who
died fourteen years ago. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs.
James B. Cahill of Madison avenue, and by one small
granddaughter, Marion Pauline. Her parents are both dead, her
mother, Mrs. Pauline Formhals, dying two years ago. She also
leaves five sisters, Mrs. Frank Merkle and Mrs. Joseph Hufker of
this city, and the Misses Emily, Louise and Clara Formhals of
Denver, Colo. The funeral will be held from SS. Peter and Paul's
Cathedral Monday morning at 9 o'clock.
THORNTON, E. C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11,
1904
Joked While He Drank Poison
With a joke on his lips and in the
presence of a group of his friends, E. C. Thornton, a cigar
maker and morphine fiend, called for a drink in the Spring House
at Second and Spring streets, Saturday night, emptied in the
glass a large quantity of morphine and drank it off. His
companions, knowing he was addicted to the use of the drug, were
not at first alarmed, but soon saw that Thornton had taken more
than his customary amount. He was moved to the hospital, Dr.
Bowman summoned, and everything done to revive him, but he died
about 2 o'clock Sunday morning. Thornton was 28 years old and
came from Des Moines. The cigar makers union had Undertaker
Bauer take charge of the body and notified Thornton's relatives
at Des Moines. Early Saturday evening Thornton tried to buy some
morphine at Paul Bros. drug store, but because he could not give
a satisfactory account of what he intended to do with it, he was
refused.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January
14, 1904
"I am only an outcast and a drunkard," was what
E. C. Thornton, the suicide cigar maker gave as his reason for
destroying his life by taking morphine Saturday night, according
to testimony of Leo Pieffer. Thornton was only 28, and those who
have seen him say he was one of the most perfect specimens of
physical manhood they have seen. He was 6 feet high, had a fine
face, and a head of beautiful, curling golden brown hair. Before
he took the poison he wrote a letter to his mother, then
destroyed it. After he realized what he had done he broke down
in uncontrollable crying. It is said that Thornton came of a
good family. He had been a wanderer, union receipts showing that
he had stayed but a short time in each town where he had been.
The body was shipped today to Des Moines for burial, accompanied
by a member of the cigar maker's union. The coroner's jury found
a verdict of death from morphine, self-administered.
THORNTON,
EDWARD C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 7, 1906
Edward C. Thornton, a well-known Alton traveling man, died very
unexpectedly Friday night at his residence, 298 Madison avenue,
from heart failure brought on by congestion of the stomach. His
death followed an illness of a few days from which it was
supposed he had completely recovered. He was feeling well and in
good spirits Friday evening and had been pronounced recovered by
the attending physician. He was bright and cheerful and ate a
hearty supper. Before retiring he took a bath and having shaved
himself he had evidently made every preparation for his dying,
almost as if he had been given a premonition that his end was
coming. He had been in excellent spirits and spent part of the
evening playing around on the porch with some children. Mrs.
Thornton says that they retired about 10 o'clock and shortly her
husband seemed to be asleep, from his deep regular breathing.
She went to sleep too, and was aroused about three-quarters of
an hour later from her sleep. She noticed that her husband was
very still and that the sound of his breathing had subsided. She
touched his hand and found it cold and lifeless. The wife was
given a terrible shock by the discovery of her husband's death.
Neighbors were summoned and she soon had plenty of friends near
to lend assistance, but it was too late for anything to be done.
Edward Thornton was born in Alton and lived here all his life.
He was a son of Philip Thornton. He would have been 38 years of
age August 20. For many years he was engaged as a traveling
salesman for Alton grocery houses, and recently he severed his
connection with an Alton firm to become connected with a St.
Louis grocery firm. He was highly thought of by everyone who
knew him. His unusual intellectual talents, his conversational
ability and his uniform good humor made his company very much
sought after and he was the life of any party of which he was a
member. His death was a great shock to the entire community, as
few knew that he was not in good health. He was an orator of
considerable ability, although making no professions of being
such, and as a speaker for small gatherings he frequently
entertained audiences delightfully. He was to have delivered an
address at a Fourth of July picnic at New Douglas, but did not
do so. Mr. Thornton leaves besides his wife, one daughter and
two brothers, James P. Thornton and Michael Thornton, and a
sister, Miss Thornton. The funeral will be held Monday at 9
o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.
THORPE,
ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 9, 1901
Mrs.
Annie Thorpe, wife of Otis Thorpe, died last evening at the home
of Mr. W. E. Hubbell on Alby street, after a short illness, aged
27. Mrs. Thorpe came to Alton from San Antonio, Texas with her
husband, who is working at the Equitable Powder Company's plant
at East Alton, and has been living at the home of Mr. Hubbell.
Beside her husband, she leaves a child eight weeks old. The body
may be sent to San Antonio for burial.
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, March 11, 1901
The funeral of
Mrs. Otis Thorpe took place this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
home of W. E. Hubbell on Alby street. Burial was in the City
Cemetery. Mrs. Thorpe came from San Antonio, Texas.
THORPE,
RILEY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11, 1899
Riley Thorpe, one of the unfortunates who live down on the
sandbar, died this morning in a wretched hovel from the effects
of hunger and exposure. In the tent where Thorpe died, and on
the bed beside his dead body, lay his wife weakened by sickness,
cold and hunger, until she was not able to help herself or send
for the assistance of her rough neighbors. Thorpe had been ill
for some time and application for assistance for the family had
been made to the Supervisor, but was refused. Left to care for
themselves, there was nothing for the couple to do but die there
in their dirt and poverty. A Telegraph reported visited, today,
the place that the Thorpe's called home. It was a wretched tent,
full of holes and ample openings for the entrance of cold river
winds. The body of the dead man was stretched out in a box
outside, while inside was a scene of squalor and dirt that could
not be worse. A small stove in the front, by the open tent flaps
where light entered, was supplying heat and the tent was filled
with a half dozen neighbors. Thomas McNutt, who had discovered
the plight of the family, told how the couple were dying from
cold and starvation when he entered. The people on the bar have
no money, and coal for a fire must be stolen to keep the sick
people alive. All night McNutt did what he could and the
neighbors contributed of their scanty food supply to prevent the
death of the couple. The old lady was, at the time of the
reporter's visit, greedily gulping down some soup a neighbor had
contributed. She ate as though she had not tasted food for days
and her condition was pitiable. Everything in the tent was
filthy and even a dog would disdain to drink from a cup which
the old woman took her soup in. Cold, starving, and with no
friends unless the county helps her, there is nothing for her
but to follow her husband. The other inhabitants of the bar are
free-hearted, but they have nothing to spare beyond their own
needs, and still they have denied themselves necessaries of life
for the poor couple. In the midst of all this squalor and
poverty, it was pleasant to find that humanity had not entirely
deserted the breasts of the poor people down there, and that out
of their scanty means they had done what they could for two of
their unfortunate number.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 12, 1899
Inquest Held Over Riley Thorpe
Coroner Bailey held an inquest last evening over the dead
body of Riley Thorpe, the sandbar denizen who died from exposure
and starvation. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that death
was due to a congestive chill. The body was taken charge of by
Undertaker Miller and buried. Mrs. Thorpe was moved to St.
Joseph's Hospital last night by order of Supervisor Elble, and
there she will be given an opportunity to recover her health.
Both Thorpe and his wife had been assisted at times by the
Supervisor, but when last they applied they were refused
assistance because of the frequency of their visits. They were
improvident in their habits of life, failing to provide for
themselves when well. Still, the burden of their support falls
on the community as heavily as does that of the more deserving
class. Supervisor Elble states that he gave assistance to the
man who died yesterday morning on the sandbar; or rather that
the assistance was given to the woman. While it is not the
intention of the Supervisor to refuse assistance to anyone who
is in want, it is impossible in the condition of affairs to
provide food and proper nourishment for the class of
unfortunates on the sandbar, most of whom are a shiftless, and
we had almost said, worthless lot. Still, no matter how
worthless, it will not do to permit men and women to die from
hunger and cold while there is a fund to prevent it. The
Supervisor's position is a trying one. To avoid extravagance and
to supply the wants of the worthy, and yet for humanity's sake,
not to permit destitution, requires a large amount of care,
patience and rare judgment.
THREDE, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 2,
1908
John Threde, aged 23, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John
Threde of the Vandalia road, died as the new year was dawning,
after an illness with abscess of the liver. His marriage to Miss
Ida Glassmeyer was set to take place on Christmas day, but
because of his illness it was decided to postpone the wedding
indefinitely. His fianc�e attended him much of the time during
his illness. On the day before his death he began to be very
much worse, and his condition seemed hopeless. Relatives were
summoned and were with him at the time he died. The young man
had lived in Alton all his life and was well known in the east
end of the city. The funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from
the German Evangelical church.
THREDE, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 6, 1908
Woman Accused of Throwing Gasoline on Ida Glassmeyer Dies
Mrs. Mary Threde, wife of John Threde, died Saturday night
at 11:35 o'clock from nervous prostration. Dr. F. C. Joesting,
who attended her, denies that she died from the effects of
poison self-administered, and says that she died in spasms and
cramps due to a complete wrecking of her nervous system. On the
night that the police officers called at the Threde home to put
her under arrest, Mrs. Threde was alone in the house. She was
sitting near the door when the officer knocked for admittance
and demanded to know who was there. She was told who was
knocking, and on opening the door the officer explained his
mission. Mrs. Threde seemed to be unable to control herself. She
started to run and dashed from one room to another, flitting
around like a caged bird trying to get away and finally ran into
a closet and tried to hide herself. She never recovered. On
Saturday morning she was really very ill, and all day Dr.
Joesting says, she continued ill, and there was little hope of
her recovery. Late Saturday evening she was much worse, and she
died just about 24 hours from the time she was notified that she
was accused of the crime. John Threde said to a Telegraph
representative yesterday that his wife positively did not commit
suicide. He said that she had been suffering from nervousness
since the death of her son three months before. He admitted that
she had a hatred for Miss Ida Glassmeyer, and had objected to
the marriage of her son to the girl, but he would not admit that
he believed his wife threw the gasoline nor that he thought she
committed suicide. Coroner Streeper was informed by Dr. Joesting
as to the diagnosis he had made of the case, and Mr. Streeper
said Sunday that he would not hold an inquest. Mrs. Threde was
52 years of age. Beside her husband she leaves three children.
The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from
the German Evangelical church.
THREDE, WILLIAM JR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 3,
1904
Killed by Explosion at the Glass Works
William Threde Jr., aged 17, was instantly killed
and Charles Wilson, night engineer at the glass works, was
perhaps fatally injured Monday night by an explosion which
wrecked the oil house at the glass works about 9:25 o'clock. The
concussion of the explosion shook the city to its remotest
corners and caused much terror among families having members
working in the glass factories at night. The explosion was of
gas and is very mysterious. Will Threde was employed at the
electric power house, and just before the explosion accompanied
the engineer to the oil house. The wrecked building sheltered
two big steel tanks for containing crude oil, with a capacity of
40,000 gallons each. The oil will not burn readily, but it emits
a gas which is disposed of by allowing it to circulate to free
air through a big ventilator which was in the top of the
building. The oil did not take fire, or the entire glass works
would have been destroyed. Beside the oil house there were
several cars of oil on the track. The tanks were not injured.
The exact cause of the disaster is not known. Wilson,
accompanied by Threde, went to the oil house carrying a lantern
to see how much water was in the tank pit. Instantly there was
an explosion, and the brick building was leveled to the ground.
The roof blown off and a pile of crated bottles was wrecked. On
the roof of the oil tanks was about 20 tons of iron, put there
to weigh down the tanks. Heavy pieces of iron were blown 100
feet and fell in a rain of deadly missiles, but no one was hurt
by them. Night Superintendent George Finkel was the first man to
arrive at the oil house after the explosion. A small fire had
started in the wreckage, caused by the puff of flame following
the explosion, and this was speedily put out. Eliot hose truck
made good time to the fire and prevented any damage being done.
Mr. Finkel says that he heard Wilson groaning and he started to
pull him from the pile of debris. Wilson told the men trying to
get him out to let him alone as he was done for, but to try to
find the boy, as young Threde was in the ruins. The body of
Threde was found under the roof of the building which was blown
off and lay on the ground a dozen feet away from the ruined
walls. Wilson was quickly moved to St. Joseph's hospital and Dr.
G. Taphorn was awaiting him there. It was found that his body
was frightfully mutilated, burned and torn. Four of his ribs
were broken, and it was thought he sustained internal injuries.
After the explosion at least a thousand people gathered at the
glass works gates and demanded admission. Every man, woman and
child feared his or her family had suffered by the accident, and
no one knew just how many people were hurt. It was thought at
first that the explosion was that of a tank furnace, slight
blow-ups having resulted several times recently from water
getting into the caves of the furnaces. It was over an hour
before the crowds at the gates scattered, it having been given
out that only two persons were hurt. The body of William Threde
was taken to the police station, where Undertaker Will Bauer
took charge of it. The body was badly torn but was not
dismembered. Officers of the Illinois Glass Company cannot
explain the accident. They say that the oil is not explosive and
that ample provision was made for disposing of the gas arising
from the tanks. The death of Will Threde is a cruel shock to his
family and friends. He was very popular among his friends and
fellow workmen and highly esteemed by everyone. The body was
moved today to the family home, Sixth and Alby streets. The
funeral will take place Wednesday morning from the family home
at Sixth and Alby streets. Services will be conducted by Rev.
Theodore Oberhellmann. Mrs. Wilson, wife of the engineer, was
taken to the hospital to see her husband and she collapsed,
although he tried to cheer her up by saying, "Now brace up,
mamma, I will be all right soon." She went from one fainting
spell into another during the night, but is reported to be
calmer today. The mother and two little children have been taken
by Mrs. Demuth to her home and are being given every attention.
[Charles Wilson did survive the blast, but was
seriously injured. He sued the Glass Works for $10,000, saying
he was permanently damaged. The father of Threde also sued. At
the inquest, Charles Wilson gave his testimony as to what
happened. A verdict was given by the jury of accidental death
due to explosion was given, without fixing any responsibility.
Burial of Will Threde was in City Cemetery.]
THRUSH, AUGUSTA [nee HOPPE]/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, April 7, 1909
Mrs. Augusta Thrush, widow of
James Thrush, died this morning at 5 o'clock at the home, 409
Spring street, after being an invalid for many years. Her death
occurred just twelve hours after the election of her brother, F.
W. Hoppe, to the office of township collector. Mrs. Thrush was
born in Germany, but came to Alton when she was three years old,
and for fifty-six years she had lived in the one neighborhood.
She was 59 years of age. Her husband died in July, 1907. She
leaves two children, a son, Chanie Thrush; and a daughter, Miss
Minnie Thrush. She leaves also two brothers, F. W. Hoppe and
William Hoppe; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Stutz and Miss Mary
Hoppe. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock
from the home. She was a member of the German Evangelical church
45 years, and the services will be conducted by the pastor of
that church, Rev. E. L. Mueller.
THRUSH, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 2, 1907
James Thrush, highway commissioner for fifteen years, died
very suddenly Monday evening at his home, Fourth and Ridge
street, after an illness of about 24 hours. He had been a
sufferer from asthma and heart trouble all winter, but did not
take to his bed until Sunday evening. His death was unexpected,
although he was known to be very seriously ill. He was born in
Columbus, Ohio, and was in his seventieth year. He came to Alton
forty two years ago, and during the most of the time he followed
the occupation of teamster. His wife has been an invalid for
seven years since she fell down a flight of stairs and injured
her back. During her long illness the husband had been most
faithful in attending her, manifesting his devotion to Mrs.
Thrush by giving up most of his time to caring for her, and it
was no doubt worry over his wife's condition which contributed
toward the breakdown of his health. Besides his wife, Mr. Thrush
leaves two daughters, Misses Chanie and Minnie Thrush. The
funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the
family home, Rev. Ernest Mueller of the German Evangelical
church officiating.
THURMAN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 12,
1903
William Thurman, the man who was sand bagged at
North Alton at Gerner & Overath's garden last Saturday night,
died at St. Joseph's hospital this morning at 7 o'clock, having
been unconscious ever since he was found Sunday morning. Thurman
received a blow over his right temple which caused paralysis. He
was a tinner by trade and had been traveling from one town to
another, and was in the employ of Emil Hoffman in Upper Alton at
the time he was murdered. Thurman's home was in Paducah, Ky. His
brother and brother-in-law, E. D. Thurman and W. R. Jones,
arrived here Thursday and will accompany the body to the home
for burial. He was 24 years of age and was unmarried. Deputy
Coroner Streeper held an inquest over the body this afternoon.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 13, 1903
George Redmond of North Alton, a member of a well known
family, was arrested Friday evening by Deputy Sheriff Laughlin,
on a warrant sworn out before Police Magistrate Rose by E. D.
Thurman, charging that Redmond struck the blow that produced the
death of Thurman at the hospital Friday morning. When arrested,
Redmond was dressed up and was going toward the depot, and it
was supposed he was about to leave the city. It is said by the
officers that he expressed not the least surprise when arrested
and made no objections. Redmond is the young man arrested in
October 1901, after the fire in the Stanard mill, for trying to
set fire to the Alton Roller Mill property where he had been
employed as a night watchman. Deputy Coroner Streeper held an
inquest Saturday morning and witnesses testified that they saw
Redmond with another man strike Thurman and knock him to the
ground. They also testified that Redmond and his companion were
seen to carry Thurman, after he was knocked down, to the rear of
the pavilion in the garden, where he was found last Sunday
morning.
THURSTON, JOHN P./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 3,
1912
Veteran of Civil War
John P.
Thurston, aged 88, died Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock after a
long illness from senile debility. Mr. Thurston lived with his
aged sister, who gave him devoted attention and taken every care
of him. For fifteen years the aged couple had lived together,
and last May they came to Alton from Kane, where they had passed
most of their life, and they settled down here to pass the
remainder of their days. The brother had been an invalid for
eight years and was a great care to his sister, but the sister
gave him devoter attention and ministered to him up to the end.
The affection between the aged couple was beautiful and was the
admiration of all their neighbors. The time of the funeral has
not been set.
THURSTON, UNKNOWN MAN/Source: Alton Telegraph, June 27, 1838
Passenger Falls Overboard Into Mississippi
We regret to learn that as the steamboat Paul Jones was
approaching our wharf [Alton] on last Monday afternoon, a deck
passenger named Thurston, while in the act of drawing a bucket
of water, accidentally fell overboard. The engine was
immediately stopped and every practicable exertion used to pick
him up; but he sunk to rise no more before any assistance could
reach him. As he fell forward of the wheelhouse, which passed
directly over him, it is supposed that he sustained some injury
from the machinery, and was consequently unable to sustain
himself on the water. We understand that he was a resident of
Clifton, about four miles above this city, and has left a family
to deplore his loss.
TIBBITT, DELILAH (nee TITCHENAL)/Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, October 3, 1913
Pioneer Woman and
Widow of James Tibbit Who Founded North Alton
Mrs. Delilah Tibbitt, widow of the late James Clayton Tibbitt,
died Friday morning at 1 o'clock at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Kate Camp, at Delmar avenue and Tibbitt street. She was
born in Newcastle, Pa., April 15, 1822, and when she was about
three months old started from that place with her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Titchenal, who came west and settled near Upper
Alton. Since that time she had lived in Alton or vicinity and
she was by far the oldest resident of Alton from the viewpoint
of continuous residence. She was married in 1842 to James C.
Tibbitt, a pioneer owner of land north of Alton, and who later
founded the town of Greenwood, afterwards North Alton. He died
several years ago. Mrs. Tibbitt gave birth to nine children,
five of whom survive her. These are: Joseph and Henry Tibbitt,
and Mrs. Kate Camp of Alton; Miss Margaret Tibbitt of St. Louis;
and Alton W. Tibbitt, the Alaska gold miner. A sister, Mrs.
Julia Kennedy, also survives. She leaves many grandchildren and
several great grandchildren. Her last sickness began about a
week ago, and at first was not thought to be of a serious
nature. Her great age was against her, however, and she sank
steadily until she entered rest. Mrs. Tibbitt saw all the
wonderful improvements and developments made in Illinois during
the past century practically, and she and her husband and her
parents were important factors in this development. She was an
interesting conversationalist, and had up to a few years ago a
bright mentality, stored with wonderful facts concerning early
day life and events in Illinois, and particularly in this part
of it. All of her life she was known as a kind, charitable
woman, and many are the good deeds recorded in her favor done by
her when she did not let the left hand know what the right hand
was doing. She has been in feeble health for the past few years,
and has been tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Kate Camp,
and by others of her relatives. The Titchenals of Foster and
Wood River townships are relatives of hers, as are the Kennedy
families of Wood River. Mrs. Adam Brown, Mrs. Fred Noblitt, and
Mrs. John Krug are granddaughters of deceased, and the late Mrs.
J. E. Deterding was a daughter. Funeral arrangements will not be
completed until the family can hear from Alton W. Tibbitt, who
is somewhere in Chicago on business. It will probably be on
Sunday. [She is buried in the Upper Alton Oakwood Cemetery.]
TIBBETT, CHARLES "CHARLEY"/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 30, 1909
North Alton Young Man Possibly Frozen in
Alaska
Sometime ago in this column mention was made of the fact that
nothing had been heard for months of a former North Side boy,
Charley Tibbitt, and that his relatives feared some calamity has
overtaken him. Mr. Deterding says nothing has yet been heard of
Charley, and it is believed out there [Alaska ...Phil Deterding
just arrived from there] that he was frozen to death last winter
in an attempt he is known to have made to reach a point distant
from where he then was. It is almost a year since then, and
those who know him are satisfied that if alive, he would have
notified somebody of his whereabouts.
TIBBETT, JOSEPH G./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
1, 1914
Member of Old Family In North Alton Drowns Self in
Well
Joseph Greenwood Tibbitt, a member of the oldest family in the
North Side, drowned himself in a well one block from his home
Tuesday morning. Efforts to revive him failed, though the
pulmotor was used. Mr. Tibbitt had been the victim of a nervous
collapse. All summer he had been suffering from nervous
breakdown which forced him to give up his work at the plant of
the Illinois Glass Co. He had been working in the box factory.
The breakdown of his nervous system caused him to be downhearted
and caused his family much anxiety. It was not suspected,
however, that he contemplated suicide. Mr. Tibbitt was a man who
was known as a good citizen, but he was especially dear to the
members of his own family where he had been a good husband and
father, and everything was done that could be done to soothe
away the gloom that had settled down on him when he became
incapacitated for work. He was very despondent and seemed to
have given up hope of being restored to health. He rose at the
usual time this morning and a little after 7 o'clock he went to
the Strong pasture, about one block from his home, which is just
over the line outside of Alton in Godfrey township. Robert
Strong was at work in the pasture, and hearing a sound at the
well which attracted his attention, he went over, made an
investigation, and saw Mr. Tibbitt in the well. He summoned help
and as soon as possible Mr. Tibbitt was hoisted out of the deep
well, but it was apparently too late. However, the pulmotor was
sent for and strenuous efforts were made by its use to restore
vitality without success. He was born in North Alton, and spent
all of his life here. His aged mother, Mrs. Tabitha Tibbitt,
died only a few years ago at an age close to one hundred, after
living almost one hundred years in Alton and vicinity, and
shortly after her death Mr. Tibbitt suffered a complete nervous
collapse and breakdown. He was very sick for several weeks, but
rallied, and after a time apparently fully recovered. The
recovery was apparently only temporarily, for again late in the
summer he became sick and remained that way until very recently.
Joseph Tibbitt was an industrious, honest man, a good father and
husband, and a fine neighbor. He had not an enemy in the world
and deserved none. He was a charitable man in act as well as in
speech, and he would not knowingly wound or injure anyone. He
was 62 years old and is survived by his wife and five children:
August, Alton Jr., Nellie, Grace and Johnm, all of Delmar
Heights. A brother, J. H. Tibbitt, and two sisters, Mrs. Kate
Camp, at present living in East St. Louis with her daughter,
Mrs. Fred Noblitt, and Miss Margaret Tibbitt of St. Louis,
survive him. Mr. Tibbitt was a charter member of Greenwood lodge
of Odd Fellows, and was one of the most active and interested
workers in the lodge, up to the last.
TIBBETTS, CORA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 22, 1919
Miss Cora Tibbetts died Tuesday evening at the home of her
cousin, Mrs. M. J. Sullivan, at 617 Belle street, from
pneumonia. Miss Tibbitts was taken sick last Thursday, and the
malady soon assumed a serious form. Miss Tibbitts was 34 years
old and the daughter of the late Henry Tibbetts. Her mother died
when she was 5 years old, and she was reared by her aunt, Mrs.
David Jones. She leaves a sister, Mrs. Maggie Olsen of Alton,
and a brother, Charles Tibbetts, who is in the Klondike. Miss
Tibbetts had been one of the most trusted employees of Central
Union Telephone Company. At the time of her death she was one of
the supervisors, and was on duty Wednesday evening before she
was taken down with pneumonia. In her contact with the public,
Miss Tibbetts had made a host of warm friends, and the news of
her passing will be regretted by residents in all parts of the
city. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock from the Sullivan home. Rev. Edward L. Gibson, pastor of
the First Presbyterian church, will officiate. The burial will
be in Oakwood cemetery.
TILBE, LENORE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 8, 1902
Upper Alton News - Lenore, the oldest daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. H. H. Tilbe, died this morning at 3 o'clock after a long
and painful illness. A peculiar interest is attached to this sad
bereavement as the child's father is a missionary in far away
Burmah. About three years ago Mrs. Tilbe came here with her four
children on account of the continued ill health of one of them,
and has lived here ever since. Lenore was a bright little girl
of ten years, and her mother has the sympathy of the entire
community. The funeral will be held at the family home tomorrow
afternoon.
TILTON, UNKNOWN CHILD/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 5, 1910
The 3 year old child of Prof.
and Mrs. H. C. Tilton, of Leverett avenue, died last night at
the family home. Interment was held this morning at Oakwood
cemetery.
TIMMERMEIER, GEORGINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 3, 1921
Dies Walking Across Railroad Bridge Over
Mississippi
The death of Miss Georgine Timmermeier
occurred Sunday evening as she, with a merry family party, was
walking across the bridge over the Mississippi at Alton, after
attending a family reunion at the home of Frank Timmermeier,
given in celebration of the silver wedding anniversary of the
host and hostess. Miss Timmermeier died when she was about at
the middle of the bridge. Dr. Mather Pfeiffenberger, who was
called, said that Miss Timmermeier had probably died from heart
trouble aggravated by acute indigestion. She had eaten heartily
before starting on the walk home. There being no ferry service
at the time when the party were coming home, they decided to
walk the bridge. There were sixteen in the party, including one
sister, Mrs. Wilhelmina Spaet. Miss Timmermeier was in high
spirits, but when she reached the middle of the bridge she
complained of feeling sick and unable to walk any further. She
sat down on the ties of the bridge floor, and in a few minutes
she was dead. Members of the party carried her to the engine
house on the draw span and there Dr. Pfeifenberger was called.
Members of the party said that Miss Timmermeier had a very
severe coughing spell after she complained of faintness and
inability to walk further. They thought that the excitement of
walking over the bridge, with the ice running below and the cold
air contributed somewhat to her collapse. Miss Timmermeier was
about 54 years of age. She leaves her sister, Mrs. Wilhelmina
Spaet, and four brothers, Frank, William, George and August. She
had been living in the family home at Seventeenth and Piasa
street with her brother, George.
TIMMERMEIER, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28,
1912
Henry Timmermeier, aged 79, died at 2 o'clock
Thursday afternoon at his home, Seventeenth and Piasa streets,
after being partially paralyzed four years. His death was
expected the past few days, as he had suffered a final attack
immediately after spending a very happy birthday. He had a
family reunion and was in good spirits when the final stroke
came. His birthday was March 1st. Mr. Timmermeier had a number
of paralytic strokes, but each time he would rally and get out
again. He was born in Germany and came to America in 1853 and to
Alton in 1854. He settled on a farm on Missouri point, worked
hard and saved his money. A pathetic event was last summer, when
the old man asked to be taken back to the place where he had
lived his married life and raised his family, to take a last
look at the place. He had moved to Alton in 1892, retiring from
hard work. He is survived by his wife and six children, Mrs.
Wilhelmina Spaet, Miss Georgia and Messrs. Frank, William,
George and August Timmermeier. Mr. Timmermeier was highly
regarded by all who knew him and on Missouri Point he had many
good friends among the older settlers who will mourn his death.
TIMMONS, AMANDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 4, 1915
Mrs. Amanda Timmons, aged 82, died at her home, 3314 College
avenue, this morning after a lingering illness. Her death is
believed to be due to her extreme age. She is survived by one
son, F. A. Hamilton, of Alton. The body will be shipped this
evening to Bad Creek, Ind., for burial.
TINDALL, MARY ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 15, 1914
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Tindall, within a
few weeks of her 86th birthday, died Monday evening at 8 o'clock
at her home, 852 Washington avenue, from a hemorrhage of the
bowels. Mrs. Tindall was 85 years 11 months and 8 days old when
she died. Her maiden name was Ellis. She was born January 6,
1829, in Sussell County, Delaware, and came to Illinois when she
was six years of age. She was married to George W. Tindall in
1849, and came here to Alton as a bride. At the age of fourteen
she united with the Methodist Church, and all the remainder of
her life she was a devout subscriber to the teachings of the
Christian religion. In 1860 she united with the Upper Alton
Methodist Church and later she changed her membership to the
Washington Street Methodist Church because of its nearness to
her home. She was a trustee of the church at the time of her
death. Mr. Tindall died 22 years ago. The aged lady is survived
by four daughters, Misses Sarah J., and Maria L. Tindall, and
Mrs. Samuel Young, all of Alton, and Miss Alice B. Tindall. She
leaves also two grandchildren, Mrs. F. C. Hopkins of Alton and
George A. Young of Detroit, also three great-grandchildren. The
funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
family home to the Washington Avenue Methodist Church.
TIPTON, UNKNOWN WIFE OF GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
June 18, 1912
Mrs. George Tipton, aged ?1, of Moro, died
last night from cauber and will be buried Thursday.
TISIUS, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 17,
1912
Son of Former Police Captain Suicides by Drinking
Carbolic Acid
Ex-Police Captain Henry Tisius, who has been in
Alton several weeks, left for St. Louis early this morning in
response to a message informing him that his oldest son,
Charles, had committed suicide Friday night at 8:30 o'clock at
4467 Greer avenue, St. Louis, by taking carbolic acid. Miss
Delia Tisius, a sister, who is an operator for the Kinloch
Telephone Company here, left for St. Louis. The message stated
that Charles was despondent and that he left his own home and
went to that of his parents. After talking to his mother for
awhile, he went out on the front porch and sat down, and shortly
afterwards, or about 8:30 p.m., swallowed a large quantity of
carbolic acid. Medical attention proved unavailing, and he
passed away. He had said nothing while in the house that would
cause any suspicion of his design on his own life, but it is
said he told a companion earlier in the evening that "This is
the last time you will ever see me." He was married and leaves a
wife and three children. Charles Tisius was the second one of
the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Tisius to commit suicide within a year,
and the parents will have the sincere sympathy of all who know
them in the many afflictions fate is visiting them. The funeral
will be held tomorrow afternoon from the Alton station, the
remains coming up on the 1 o'clock C. & A. train. Burial will be
in the City cemetery. Tisius was a concrete boss and had been
getting along nicely. The parents do not know what induced him
to decide to take his own life.
TISIUS, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 7, 1921
Former Police Officer Dies
Henry Tisius, for many years a
member of the Alton police force, died this afternoon at 1:50
o'clock at his home, 3003 North Taylor avenue, St. Louis, after
an illness that began with a fall he suffered while at work as a
watchman in a plant at St. Louis. He gave up work about
Christmas time, and five weeks ago submitted to a surgical
operation which did not prove successful. He was bedfast from
that time. Mr. Tisius had lived in Alton almost all of his life.
He was married here and is survived by his wife and three
daughters, Mrs. Nellie Williams, Misses Mamie and Dell Tisius,
and three sons, Bowman, James and Walter Tisius. Mrs. Belle Lock
was summoned to St. Louis this afternoon to take charge of the
body and will bring it to Alton for burial, the time and place
to be announced later. Henry Tisius was a very efficient man on
the police force. He was a man of wonderful physical strength
and endurance, and many are the feats of strength his friends
could recall as being performed by him. One of these was a test
to which few can submit. He would allow anyone to strike him the
heaviest kind of a blow on the stomach without flinching, and he
would give anyone full opportunity to choke him and none ever
was able to shut off his wind.
TISIUS, WALTER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 16, 1911
Young Man Commits Suicide by Drinking Carbolic Acid
Walter Tisius, aged 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tisius, drank
carbolic acid Monday evening about 10:30 o'clock and died within
10 minutes before a doctor could be had. He drank the acid on
Fifth street near the Dan Miller Buggy Co. plant, and was found
lying on the sidewalk suffering intensely. Members of his family
say that he had been despondent for a short time. Monday evening
he went home to supper and seemed in his usual condition of
mind, but after supper he seemed to be very despondent. He
threatened to kill himself, but little attention was paid to his
threat. His mother told him to go to bed and he would feel
better in the morning. About 10:30 p.m. he started to leave the
house and passed his sister, who was sitting on the front step,
and he told her goodbye. Ten minutes later the telephone message
was received at the Tisius home on State street that the boy was
dying from carbolic acid poisoning. When found, he was dying,
and a doctor who was sent for arrived too late. Efforts were
made to administer antidotes to him, but he had taken so much of
the acid and had lain so long before being found, nothing could
be done for him. The young man had been employed at the Koehne
blacksmith shop on Belle street. Members of his family say that
some time ago he fell in getting off an interurban car and his
head was badly injured. They say he was never mentally right
since then, and had been subject to brief periods of mental
derangement. He leaves beside his parents, four brothers and
three sisters.
TITCHENAL, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 17,
1917
Charles Titchenal, a well known farmer of Wood River
township, died this morning about 9 o'clock at his home near
Bethalto after an illness with dropsy. Deceased was 50 years
old. He leaves his wife but the couple never had any children.
Mr. Titchenal was born and raised in the Fosterburg-Bethalto
neighborhood. He was a step-son of the late John Kell, a former
well known resident of Foster and Wood River townships. About
fifteen years ago Mr. Titchenal bought the old Kell farm of 40
acres near Bethalto and located upon it, and he has lived there
ever since. He was obliged to quit work some time ago on account
of his illness, and since that time he has not improved, and
after dropsy set in the sick man continued to decline steadily
until death came this morning. The funeral arrangements had not
been completed this afternoon.
\
TITCHENAL, DANIEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 25, 1919
Murdered in Troy, Missouri
The body of Dan Titchenal,
slain at Troy, Mo. last Monday by a farmer, and buried there
Wednesday, will be claimed by relatives who left for Troy today
to get the remains. Titchenal was killed in a quarrel with a
farmer over the use that Titchenal was making of a spring, at
which he was watering his horses. The farmer controlling the
spring warned Titchenal not to continue watering his horses at
the spring as, he claimed, Titchenal was muddying the water.
Later when Titchenal returned to repeat the act which he had
been warned against, the farmer, without more controversy, used
a double barreled shotgun on him, emptying a charge of shot into
Titchenal's shoulder, from which he died. The body was held at
Troy until Wednesday in the hope of finding some of Titchenal's
relatives. Finally it was learned he had relatives in this
vicinity, and a letter was sent to Chief of Police Fitzgerald
apprising him of the death of Titchenal, and asking information.
However, a brother of the dead man had noticed an article in a
St. Louis newspaper telling of the shooting, recognized his
brother as the man who had been killed, and members of the
family had started an inquiry when the letter to the chief of
police came. A party consisting of Bert Wilson, C. N. Streeper,
Hector Bassett, Van Titchenal, Harry Titchenal and Thomas
Titchenal went to Troy today. The letter to the chief of police
said that Titchenal was working in a tie camp near Troy and
there was some confusion over the spelling of his name. The man
who shot him is said to be 65 years of age. Thomas Titchenal,
the aged father of the dead man, resides with his daughter, Mrs.
William Gabriel, east of Upper Alton.
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, August 1, 1919
Mrs. William
Gabriel, Miss Susie Titchenal, and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wilson made
an automobile trip yesterday to Troy, Missouri, to further
investigate the recent killing of their brother, Dan Titchenal.
The man's name who did the shooting is Tabbs. The preliminary
hearing of the case was held Wednesday at Troy, and Tabbs was
bound over to the grand jury on a charge of first degree
manslaughter. The party visited the jail yesterday, and the
ladies were given a chance to see the man who shot their
brother. It developed that there was just one eyewitness to the
shooting, and this was a boy 15 years old. He was in St. Louis,
and the party from Alton did not get to see him. The party has
been in close touch with the States Attorney at Troy, and they
will leave no stones unturned in getting evidence against the
man who did the shooting. The party arrived home late last night
from their auto trip in Missouri.
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, August 18, 1919
Thomas Johnson, guilty
of the murder of James Rayburn of Alton, has been out of the
Chester penitentiary for some time. Another man by the same name
is being held in the county jail at Troy, Mo., on the charge of
murdering Dan Titchenal of Upper Alton. The men have the same
name, and each has a crippled right arm. There is a question in
the mind of Van Titchenal as to whether or not they might not be
the same man. So today, Van Titchenal, of Upper Alton, went to
the Chester penitentiary to investigate the record of Thomas
Johnson, escaped prisoner. The tip on which Titchenal is work is
one furnished by Cal. Streeper, of Alton. Streeper went to Troy,
Mo., with Van Titchenal to bring the body of his father home.
While there, he recalled having heard the name of Johnson
before. Slowly the story of the inquest in which Rayburn was
killed came back to him. He remembered hearing of how Johnson
had killed him in a box car with a railroad bolt. Streeper
suggested that an investigation be made of Johnson, who was
supposed to be at the Chester penitentiary. The investigation
proved that Johnson had escaped from the penitentiary. Now
Titchenal is trying to discover if Johnson, the Johnson who
killed Rayburn, is the same as the man who murdered his father.
Dan Titchenal was killed at Troy, Missouri, in the early part of
July of this year by a fellow teamster in a dispute over the
right to water their horses. Alton relatives were not informed
of the death of Titchenal until several days after it occurred.
Alton relatives are very anxious to try and connect up the two
Johnsons. They fear that Thomas Johnson may be released from the
Troy, Mo. jail under a light bond. If they can show he is the
same man guilty of the murder of Rayburn, he will be brought
back to the Southern Illinois Penitentiary.
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, August 18, 1919
Van
Titchenal of Alton was in Edwardsville Saturday afternoon
looking up records in the murder of James Rayburn on July 5,
1901, for which Thomas Johnson was sent to the Southern Illinois
Penitentiary at Menard for life. Titchenal believes that Johnson
has escaped and killed his brother, Dan Titchenal, near Troy,
Missouri, on July 21, this year. With the necessary information,
Titchenal went to the penitentiary today to lay his suppositions
before the warden after being told that one of Johnsons in
prison had escaped. The man held at Troy, Missouri, gives his
name as Richard Tabb. Johnson was shot in the left arm several
years ago in attempting to escape from the penitentiary, and the
crippled arm of Tabb causes Titchenal to believe the men are the
same. Titchenal has lost his right hand at the wrist. When the
two met in the Troy jail, a conversation ensued about the
crippled arm and the prisoner remarked that one of his arms had
been injured. The prisoner was partly identified by C. N.
Streeper, an undertaker at Alton, when he went to Troy to get
the body. He was coroner when Johnson was placed on trial and
pled guilty in the circuit court. Johnson had several aliases,
and was known as Frank Maloney, C. N. Derrig, Christ Brown,
Christ Stockatile, and Christ Ruthlege. He threw himself upon
the mercy of the court on February 21, 1902, after the jury had
been selected. The man at Troy says he is not certain of his
age, but appears to be between 60 and 65 years old, about the
age Johnson would be at this time. Johnson has been considered a
very bad man. He was indicted for beating Ryburn into
unconsciousness with bolt. He had been left in a boxcar near
Hartford, and was found through his groans by trainmen. He died
shortly after connecting up Johnson. Titchenal had located at
Troy several months ago, and his alleged murdered arrived about
two months ago according to reports. It is said an argument
ensued over the use of water at a spring, and that Tabb shot
Titchenal once without warning.
NOTES: Daniel
Titchenal is buried in the Fosterburg Cemetery, Fosterburg, IL.
He was 33 years old at the time of his death.
RICHARD A. TABB SHOOTS DAN TITCHENAL OVER SPRING
Source:
Troy, Missouri Free Press, July 25, 1919
Richard A. Tabb, 60
years old, and a tie cutter living at Cole Corner, shot and
killed Dan Titchenal, 32 years old, also employed by the tie
company, Monday morning at 11 o’clock at a spring on Jesse
Crume’s place near Tabb’s house. The shooting was done with a
double-barreled shotgun, and the charge entered Titchenal’s left
shoulder, tearing it badly and penetrating downward. Titchenal
lived about four hours after he was shot. Titchenal had been in
the Cole Corner neighborhood only a few weeks, and nothing is
known about his family. Before his death, he stated his name to
Dr. C. D. Avery, coroner, and said that his parents were living
in Alton, Illinois. Later, he said they lived near Alton.
Messages to that part of Illinois failed to find any relatives,
so the body was removed from the Kemper-Swan undertaking
establishment where it had been since Monday, and buried in the
city cemetery Wednesday afternoon, at the expense of the county.
Sheriff Basye accompanied Dr. Avery to Cole Corner as soon as
word was received of the shooting and arrested Tabb, bringing
him back to town and lodging him in jail. No date has been set
for his preliminary hearing yet. The trouble which led up to the
shooting was over the spring from which Tabb got his drinking
water. Titchenal had been bringing his horses there to water
them, spoiling the spring for drinking purposes. Monday, when he
came, Tabb was waiting for him at the spring, and when Titchenal
let his horses in to drink in spite of Tabb’s protests, Tabb
fired on him, inflicting a fatal wound. Jesse Crume heard the
shot and reported the matter to the authorities.
TABB
HELD FOR FIRST DEGREE
Source: Troy, MO Free Press, August 1,
1919
Richard A. Tabb was bound over to the September term of
circuit court on the charge of murder in the first degree in the
death of Dan Titchenal, Monday, July 21. Bond was fixed at
$4,000, which Tabb has not yet been able to give. Louis Miller,
15 years old, the only eyewitness to the shooting, was not
present at the preliminary. Witnesses for the State Wednesday
were Canada Myers, R. D. Basye, George McGregor, Dr. C. D.
Avery, Dr. Sam Avery, Mary Muller, C. W. Phelps, and Charlie
Vaughn. The witnesses called by the defense were J. P. Crume, W.
D. Moore, and Van Titchenal. Van Titchenal and his father, Tom
Titchenal, brother and father of the dead man, were here from
Fosterburg, Illinois, a suburb of Alton, to attend the hearing.
This is their second trip here within a week. They came last
Friday after reading of the case in the St. Louis papers, and
identified the man as Dan Titchenal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom
Titchenal, a well-to-do and highly respected family of
Fosterburg. The body was exhumed and taken back to Fosterburg
for burial. Mr. Titchenal, who is in the dairy business, and his
son, a grocer, were accompanied last Friday by a Fosterburg
undertaker, W. N. Streeper, by Harry Titchenal, another son, and
by Bert Wilson, an Alton newspaper man.
DAN TITCHENAL
FUNERAL
Source: Troy, MO Free Press, August 15, 1919
The
following clipping from the Alton, Illinois Evening Telegraph,
tells of the funeral services of Dan Titchenal, who was shot and
killed here July 21:
“The funeral of Dan Titchenal was
held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the home of deceased’s
sister, Mrs. William Gabriel, at the Gabriel Dairy Farm, east of
Upper Alton. The attendance was the largest that has been
present at a funeral in Foster Township in a long time. Deceased
was a member of one of the best-known families of that
neighborhood, and many farmers drove for miles in the deep dust
to be present at the services. Rev. Theodore Cates, pastor of
the Upper Alton Methodist Church, officiated at the services.
Many beautiful flowers were sent by friends as token of sympathy
for the aged father, brothers, and sisters of deceased. Burial
was made at Fosterburg Cemetery following the services at the
Gabriel home. Van Titchenal and Cotton Baker are going to leave
this evening for Troy, Missouri, to take charge of the horses,
harness, wagons, etc., that were owned by Dan Titchenal, the
Foster Township young man who was killed a week ago today at
Troy. Titchenal had been hauling ties at the camp where he was
shot, and it was stated by the men who went after the body and
brought it back to Alton that all his belongings are still
there.”
The dead man’s sisters were here last Thursday,
conferring with Prosecuting Attorney Williams, and visiting the
Cole Corner neighborhood. They were women of evident refinement
and prosperously dressed.
ATTEMPTED PRISON ESCAPE BY
RICHARD TABB AND RAYMOND RENARD
Source: Troy, Missouri Free
Press, September 26, 1919
Tuesday night, during Sheriff R. D.
Basye’s absence from Troy on a business trip to Whitehall,
Illinois and St. Louis, two of the prisoners in the Lincoln
County jail at Troy attempted to dig their way out and escape.
The ruse was discovered by Mrs. Basye and her son, Hubert,
before the men had succeeded in carrying out their plan, but the
discovery was made evidently just in time. Tuesday evening, Mrs.
Basye, Miss Myrtle Raney, who lives with Mrs. Basye at the jail,
and Hubert went to the home of a friend to call, leaving the
prisoners, Richard Tabb, charged with first degree murder, and
Raymond Renard, who was one of the men arrested in connection
with the box car robbery at Old Monroe two years ago, in the
corridor of the jail. Finding the friend not at home, the ladies
returned to the jail residence about nine o’clock, and Hubert
went into the yard with some boy friends to play. Miss Raney
took the evening paper to the men in the jail, and as she opened
the wicket to pass the paper to them, Tabb sprang up as if he
had been bending over right at the door and seemed startled at
Miss Raney’s opening the wicket as she was at his sudden
appearance in front of it. She thought nothing of the incident
at the time, but went on back into the kitchen where Mrs. Basye
was. In a short while, Hubert came in, quite excited, and said
that as he was taking the boys around the jail to see the place
where some prisoners had escaped at one time several years ago,
he heard voices very plainly, and for some reason something in
the manner of the speakers made him stop and listen. He heard a
voice, evidently Renard’s, say, “Have they gone to bed yet?” And
Tabb, who seemed to be watching, answered, “No, there’s still a
light in the kitchen.” Then Renard asked again, “Was that
Sheriff Basye talking outside a few minutes ago?” Tabb replied,
“No, I don’t think that was the Sheriff’s voice.” Hubert then
came to the house without listening longer, and told his mother
what he had heard. Mrs. Basye looked out and noticed that she
could see a light shining very plainly through the outside wall
of the jail, so, feeling sure that something was wrong, sent
Miss Raney and Hubert after Deputy Sheriff T. O. Nuckols, as she
was afraid to telephone lest the men hear her, and knowing the
sheriff was gone, would make their escape before help arrived.
Mr. Nuckols came in a few minutes, locked the men in their
cells, and then an investigation was made. The inside bricks had
been removed, and eight or ten of the outside ones were loose,
with all the mortar knocked off. One brick had fallen to the
ground outside, but another had been laid in its place.
Evidently, all the work of escape had been done, and in a very
short time the men could have thrown out the bricks and escaped.
The prisoners protested their innocence, saying the bricks were
knocked loose by an insane man several days ago. However, the
brick that had fallen to the ground bore no marks of the
weather, and the insane prisoner was taken away before the heavy
rain of Saturday night and Sunday. Richard Tabb faces trial
Monday for the murder of Dan Titchenal, which occurred at a
spring about seven miles from Troy several weeks ago. Raymond J.
Renard was arrested about two years ago in connection with a box
car robbery at Old Monroe. His bond expired at the September
term of court this year, and he has been unable so far to have
it renewed.
RICHARD TABB ACQUITTED
Source: Troy,
Missouri Free Press, October 3, 1919
The case of the State
vs. Richard Tabb, charged with first degree murder, was held at
the courthouse in Troy Monday and Tuesday of this week, and
resulted in a verdict for the defendant of not guilty. The jury
was out one hour and forty minutes before returning their
verdict of acquittal at six o’clock Tuesday afternoon. The facts
of the case are as follows:
Dan Titchenal, about 30 years
old, a tie hauler in the employ of Richard Moore of St. Charles
County, was shot by Richard Tabb, 60 years old, a tie hacker in
the same employ, at a spring on the Jesse Crume place, about
seven miles northeast of Troy, July 21, 1919. The shooting
occurred about 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning, and Titchenal
died of his wounds about 2 o’clock that afternoon. After the
shooting, Tabb notified Mr. Crume of what he had done and the
coroner was sent for. After the man’s death that afternoon, the
sheriff came to the farm and took Tabb, who offered no
resistance, to Troy and lodged him in the Lincoln County jail.
The plea of the defendant was self-defense. Lewis Miller, a
15-year-old boy working with Titchenal, a witness for the State
and the only eyewitness to the scene, stated that on Monday
morning, July 21, he and Dan had gone to the spring to water
their horses. Dan dipped up a bucket of water and let his horses
drink, then started to dip another bucket, when, Lewis said,
there was a noise in the bushes, and looking up, they saw
Richard Tabb with a shotgun in his hand. Tabb told Titchenal not
to water his horses from that spring, and then, Miller stated,
Dan started to turn and go away with his horses. As he started
to leave, Tabb threw up his shotgun and shot Titchenal in the
left shoulder, inflicting a fatal wound. Titchenal had no gun or
any other weapon, Miller testified.
Richard Tabb was put
on the witness stand Tuesday to testify in his own behalf. His
story, which contradicted that of Miller, was as follows: He
(Tabb) had started out early Monday morning, July 21, to go
squirrel hunting. After hunting for several hours without
finding any squirrels, he went to the disputed spring to get a
drink of water. Presently, he saw Dan Titchenal and Lewis Miller
bringing Titchenal’s horses to the spring for water. When they
had arrived there, Tabb stated he asked Dan not to stir up the
water in the spring. The tie hauler, disregarding him, picked up
a bucket, dipped it full of water, and started to water his
horses. Tabb said he then asked him why he treated him in that
manner, and Titchenal, with an oath, started towards him,
reaching his hand at the same time towards a hip pocket as if to
get a concealed weapon. At this move, Tabb testified, thinking
his life was in danger, he discharged his gun at Titchenal,
shooting him in the left shoulder.
After the testimony of
the witnesses of both sides, and the arguments of the attorneys,
the case was left in the hands of the jury. They left the
courtroom at 4:20 and returned a verdict at 6 o’clock of
acquittal for defendant. The State was represented by
Prosecuting Attorney Derwood E. Williams and William C. Martin.
Tabb’s attorneys were Creech & Penn and John L. Burns.
I
could not no further information on Richard Tabb.
TOLLE, IRENE MAY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 15,
1906
Mrs. Irene May Tolle, wife of Charles Tolle, died
this morning at 1:30 o'clock at the family home in Godfrey
township after an illness of four weeks with pneumonia. Mrs.
Tolle's maiden name was Gilmore. She was born October 21, 1871,
and was married November 10, 1892. She had lived in Godfrey
township all her life. She leaves beside her husband, four
children, three sisters, a mother and father. The funeral will
be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home,
and burial will be in Godfrey township.
TOLLE, UNKNOWN WIFE OF AUGUST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
July 30, 1921
Mrs. August Tolle, a member of a well known
Godfrey Township family, died in Denver, Colo., on Thursday,
July 28, according to word received by relatives. The message
did not state how long Mrs. Tolle had been ill and the cause of
her death. The body will be brought here for burial, arriving in
St. Louis Monday morning. From St. Louis it will be shipped to
Alton and taken to the home of Mrs. Andrew Logsdon of the North
Side. Mrs. Logsdon is a sister of Mr. Tolle. The funeral will be
held Tuesday afternoon from the Logsdon home. Interment will be
in Godfrey Cemetery.
TOLMAN, DANIEL/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 23, 1844
Founder of Clifton Dies
Died, on last Saturday, at
Clifton, Madison County, after a short but severe attack of the
winter fever, Mr. Daniel Tolman, a highly respectable and worthy
citizen of this county, aged about 45. The deceased was a member
of the Methodist E. Church, and was very highly esteemed by his
acquaintances. He has left a deeply afflicted widow and several
children to deplore his loss.
TOMANKO, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 4,
1914
George Tomanko, aged 53, died at St. Joseph's
Hospital early last evening following the injuries he sustained
when struck by a Big Four switch engine at the foot of Plum
street yesterday afternoon. The inquest will be held over the
body late this afternoon. Members of the crew claim that the
foreigner stepped directly in front of the moving engine,
notwithstanding the whistling they did. They were returning from
East Alton at the time of the accident, and as they turned the
curve near the roundhouse, they saw the foreigner approaching
the track. On account of the wet weather the brakes did not set
as quickly as they might have, and the engineer realizing this
attempted to attract his attention with the whistle, but the
foreigner remained in the middle of the track.
TONE, JULIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 6, 1905
The funeral of Miss Julia Tone took place Sunday afternoon
at 2:00 o'clock from St. Patrick's church, Rev. Fr. P. J.
O'Reilly officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
TONER, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 14,
1918
Mrs. Mary Toner, aged 75 years, died this morning at
8:15 o'clock after an illness which commenced on Tuesday of last
week, when the deceased suffered a stroke of paralysis at 4
o'clock in the morning. Since then her condition has been
serious and she has been unconscious for the past two or three
days. Mrs. Toner is a well known resident of Missouri, residing
for the better part of her life at Machens, near Portage, Mo.,
and at West Alton. Several years ago her husband died. She has
no children, but leaves two adopted daughters, Mrs. William
Brown of Machens, Mo., and Mrs. Nancy E. Edelen of Monroe, La.
She also leaves a number of other relatives, including Mrs. Ida
Voges, daughter of Mrs. Edelen, who has spent much of her time
with Mrs. Toner. Mrs. Nannie Harvey of Rockcamp, W. Va., is a
sister. This week Ray Edelen, brother of Mrs. Voges, was buried.
Mrs. N. E. Edelen, three daughters, and one son of Monroe, La.,
are here, also Miss Lenora Edelen of Isleta, New Mexico, and
William Edelen of Lower Brule, S. D., to attend the funeral,
having been called by Edelen's death. Complete funeral
arrangements have not been made, but the services will be held
in all probability from Mrs. Voges' home on Sunday afternoon.
Interment will be in the City Cemetery.
TONSOR, HENRY O./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 8,
1919
Business Man, Active in Civic Affairs
Henry
O. Tonsor, one of the best known lodge men and business men in
Alton, died at his residence on East Broadway at 2 o'clock this
morning, after a sudden collapse, which was the culmination of
an illness of several years' duration. The death of Mr. Tonsor
was wholly unexpected to his friends as he had been apparently
better for a short time and on Friday was able to be up and
around, greeting his friends. He was in a more cheerful frame of
mind and apparently much improved. For that reason his collapse
and death was a great shock to the family and to his many
friends who were not all prepared for such a sudden termination
of his life. Henry O. Tonsor was born in Alton, the son of John
M. Tonsor, and lived in Alton all his life. He succeeded his
father in 1888 to the ownership of the business which he was
conducting at the time of his death. The business was
established in 1864 and continued in the family ever since.
Henry O. Tonsor had been in the business since he was 17 years
of age. Mr. Tonsor was active in public affairs. He served for
six years as a member of the Madison county board of supervisors
and on several occasions was the unsuccessful candidate of the
Democratic ticket for public office. His last race was for
member of the State Board of Equalization as a party nominee. He
was a candidate once for the Democratic nomination for state
senator in the 47th district, but was apparently defeated by a
narrow margin by an Edwardsville man. A belief was held by Mr.
Tonsor and his friends that he had been nominated and a contest
was instituted, but on a curious technicality he was ruled out
and the opening of the ballot boxes was denied. Mr. Tonsor had
been very active in Masonic circles. He was originally a member
of Erwin lodge, a German language Masonic lodge, but later
became affiliated with Piasa Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M. He had
been highly honored by the Masonic fraternity for his valuable
work in behalf of the order, being chosen for the honorary 33rd
degree, which was conferred upon him in Boston, Mass., Sept. 18,
1906. He belonged to all the Masonic bodies, Piasa lodge,
Franklin chapter, Alton council, Belvidere comandry, in Alton.
Also Oriental Consistory in Chicago. He was a Mystic Shriner. He
was also a member of the Elks lodge at Alton and served in
official capacity there. Mr. Tonsor was married in 1878 to
Louise Bahre, and was the father of six children, all of whom
survive him. It has been about 22 months since the health of Mr.
Tonsor broke and he has been under the care of a physician much
of the time since, although he has been able to get around for
some time and always put up a brave appearance. Yesterday he
felt better than in months, and so expressed himself to several.
He retired last night about 9:00 o'clock feeling fine, but must
have become sick shortly before 2:00 this morning. His wife was
aroused by the sounds he made and she found him standing near
the bed and retching. He had had a severe hemorrhage, the fourth
in a few years, and she assisted him to a seat on the edge of
the bed. "I am going; good-bye; call the children," were the
last words he spoke. The children were called, but he was
unconscious and died shortly after they got into the room.
Hemorrhage and hardening of the arteries are given as the cause
of his death. He was born in Alton at Sixth and Cherry streets,
November 27, 1857, and spent all of his life in Alton, most of
it within a few blocks of his birthplace. He was a trustee of
the Alton Benevolent society for many years, and was always
active in the cause of charity. He has dispensed much charity in
an unostentatious way, and has done many favors of a substantial
kind, of which the public knows nothing. His views in that
regard were voiced only a few days ago to the writer, when he
said: "Publicity is not charity, nor is doing a friend a favor
to in telling others how good and kind you have been." He
practiced that belief, but there are very many of his
beneficiaries who know what he did, and who will sincerely mourn
his departure. He is survived by his wife and the following
children: John W. Tonsor and Miss Edith, who lives at home;
Oscar, Mrs. James Barrett and Mrs. William Stoff, who live in
Alton; Mrs. William Hoehner of Belleville. There are six
grandchildren and a half-sister, Mrs. H. A. Wutzler. The funeral
will be Tuesday afternoon at ____ o'clock, from the home of East
Broadway, Rev. Smith, pastor of the Congregational church
officiating. Interment will be in the City cemetery.
TOOHEY, AGNES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 7,
1922
Principal of Irving and McKinley Schools Dies at
Teachers' Institute
Miss Agnes Toohey, supervising principal
of Irving and McKinley schools, died yesterday evening at 6:45
o'clock in St. Joseph's Hospital following an apoplectic stroke
which affected her shortly before 3 o'clock in the afternoon
while she was attending the closing session of the Madison
County Teachers' Institute at Edwardsville. She was found lying
on the floor in a room to which she had gone from the place
where the session of the institute was being held. Medical
assistance was summoned, and the Edwardsville doctor who was
called suggested that among the doctors attending a meeting of
the Madison County Medical Society at the court house, there
might be some Alton doctor who was acquainted with her. Dr.
Mather Pfeiffenberger, an old friend, and former pupil of Miss
Toohey, was called and he took charge of his old school teacher,
attending her until after she had been removed to St. Joseph's
Hospital at Alton in an ambulance. She never regained
consciousness after she was stricken. Friends and relatives of
Miss Toohey say that she had been in the best of spirits with no
alarming symptoms whatever during the three days she was
attending the teachers' institute. She had not been well enough
on Tuesday to attend to her duties at school, and she stayed at
home, a rare thing for her, as she was known for her regularity
in attendance upon her duties. She was counseled to stay away
from the teachers' institute, but Wednesday morning she said
that she felt so well she would go. She had been making trips
back and forth to Edwardsville every day, and her evening
reports at home were that she was enjoying this one the most of
any teachers' institute she had ever attended. She entered into
it with all her powers, as she was trying to get the maximum
amount of good out of the work that was being given in the
teachers' institute. Her associates say that she was dividing
her time so that she could take in all departments of work
covering that which she was doing as supervising principal from
the primary grades up. It was because she had been dividing her
time in more than one group of work her absence was not noticed
Friday afternoon when she left the classroom. Each group of
teachers thought she was with the other group, and it was only
when the report was made of her being found unconscious in an
adjoining room that her home associates in teaching learned of
anything being wrong. There was every indication of a cerebral
hemorrhage. She had been subject to attacks of acute
indigestion. Otherwise, she had been in good condition. It had
been one of her proudest parts of her record as a teacher that
she taught school for many years without losing a day. She was
never known to complain of ill health until the last few years
of her life. She was never in better form for her school work
and never had such an intense interest in what she was doing as
in her closing years. Her efficiency was at its very highest and
she had great plans laid out for increasing the efficiency of
her work in the schools the present year. This was one reason
why she was taking such a deep interest in the work that was
being given in the teachers' institute. The death of Miss Toohey
removes one of the best beloved of all the Alton school
teachers. She began her career as a teacher in Alton when she
was seventeen years of age. Her first service as a teacher began
in an Upper Alton school. Afterward she taught in Humboldt
school, and later she was transferred to the Irving school.
There she had her breaking in under Mrs. Anna Britten, and she
later succeeded to begin in an Upper Alton school, where she
taught three years. She loved the work of educating children,
and she was able to get the best possible results out of those
who passed under her instruction. She could best manage the
so-called "bad boys" in the schools. They seemed to respond to
her advances and she got along with a minimum of corporal
punishments. If was her theory that boys could be handled by
treating them kindly and while she was firm, she led them along
the way she wished them to go and made warm friendships which
remained pleasant memories to thousands whom she had under her
care. She kept her youthful interest in everything. She was a
leader in the cause of improvement of educational methods.
TOOHEY, ANN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 30,
1915
Mrs. Anna Toohey, widow of Michael Toohey, died
Wednesday at her home, 604 Summit street, from old age. The end
came rather suddenly, though she had been in failing health and
for the past few weeks had been confined to her bed part of the
time. Wednesday noon she suddenly became weaker and within six
hours she had quietly and peacefully slept away. Mrs. Toohey was
a native of Ireland, but when a small girl she came to America
and lived in Canada until about sixty years of age she came to
Alton. Her husband died about 45 years ago. Mrs. Toohey lived on
the bluff top at Alton for fifty years. She loved the view there
and it was her wish that she would die there and that she be
close to her children. Her end was just as she had wished it.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. M. Maddock; Misses Agnes and
Elizabeth Toohey. The funeral will be Friday morning at 9
o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.
TOOHEY, DANIEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 30, 1909
The body of Daniel Toohey was brought
to Alton today from St. Charles and was taken direct to the
Cathedral, where funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fr. E.
L. Spalding. Burial was at Greenwood cemetery. The pallbearers
were Joseph Huff, John Webster, William Dwyer, M. Maddock, John
Simon Jr., and Ed Brooks. Toohey's body was so cut up the
coroner gathered up the fragments and took them to St. Charles
in a barrel. His companion testified Toohey was sober.
TOOHEY, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 3, 1901
Asleep in death, Mrs. Mary Toohey, one
of the oldest resident of Alton, was found by her son, Daniel
Toohey, this morning. He arose at 4:30 o'clock to prepare for
beginning his day's work and he went ....[unreadable] mother's
room to around her to prepare his luncheon for him. When he
called mother, she did not respond and he went back a few
minutes later to call her gain. He touched her arm to shake her
and made the startling discovery that his mother had passed away
peacefully in sleep. Mrs. Toohey was 72 years of age and had
lived in Alton since 1848. She was born in Limerick, Ireland,
and came to America when very young. She was the widow of James
Toohey and had lived many years at 617 East Fourth street. She
had complained of pains in her side many years, but the hot
weather had debilitated her and her death was found by the
coroner's jury to be due to general debility. She leaves only
one child, Daniel Toohey. The funeral will be Sunday afternoon
at 2 o'clock, and services will be conducted in St. Patrick's
church.
TOOHEY, UNKNOWN/Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, November 26,
1874
A sad case of death from starvation and exposure took
place last week at Godfrey, the particulars of which are as
follows:
On Tuesday, Mr. James W. Martin, when out on his
farm, found a man lying in a straw stack, in a very weak and
debilitated condition, and evidently near his end. Mr. Martin at
once procured assistance, and the unfortunate man was lifted
into a wagon and carried to Castanetto’s Hotel, where everything
was done for him that was possible, but relief came too late,
and he died in half an hour after being removed. On first being
discovered, he stated that he had been lying in the straw stack
four or five days. He was too weak to articulate anything
further, even to tell his name or where he came from. It was a
clear case of death from exposure and starvation. The deceased
was a man, apparently about fifty-five years of age, and was
reasonably well dressed. He had an oil cloth carpet sack with
him, filled with clothes. No money or other effects were found
on his person. The only thing found that would give a clue to
his identify was a bottle of medicine from the Madison County
Dispensary, marked with the name “Toohey.” Deceased was
apparently an Irishman. An inquest was held on the remains by
Mr. J. B. Turner, Justice of the Peace, and a verdict rendered
in accordance with the above facts. The body was interred by Mr.
Turner in the Monticello [Godfrey] Cemetery. It is certainly
terribly sad to think of a fellow being perishing from want, in
sight of shelter, and in the midst of a charitable Christian
community, where there is no family unwilling at any time to
relieve suffering.
TOOMEY, THOMAS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 20,
1918
Railroad Man and Former Policeman Dies
Thomas
Toomey, for many years a picturesque character in Alton, died at
11:15 p.m. yesterday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. A.
L. McDonald, 5119 Maple avenue in St. Louis, where he had been
ill since last Christmas. He was about 80 years old. Mr. Toomey
was one of the oldest railroad men in Alton. He had a long and
interesting career in railroad work, dating from his youth, when
he was yardmaster for the Big Four railroad in East St. Louis.
He was one of the builders of the C. P. & St. L. railroad, had
served as track walker, section foreman and in numerous other
capacities, remaining in the employ of the company almost
continuously since the railroad was built. When the new station
in Alton was erected about twenty years ago, Mr. Toomey was
given the position of baggageman, and he had remained on duty
faithfully until last Christmas, when failing health due to his
advanced age necessitated his retirement. He went to the home of
his daughter, Mrs. McDonald, in St. Louis to spend the remainder
of his life. He had many friends, won by his sunshiny
disposition, and he was especially popular among railroad men,
for whom he acted as "banker" in the early days. He was frugal
in his habits and a good financier. He invested his savings in
Alton property, owning for a number of years several desirable
residence properties, which he afterwards sold to enable him to
make investments in St. Louis realty. At the time of his death
he possessed considerable wealth. He served for a period as a
member of the Alton police force. Mr. Toomey was born in Ireland
and he came to this country when he was a boy. He was a
schoolmate of the late Dennis Noonan of Alton. His wife died a
number of years ago. Mrs. A. L. McDonald, at whose home Mr.
Toomey died, is the only member of the family surviving. The
funeral will be held Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the
Cathedral to Greenwood cemetery. Besides his daughter, Mrs. A.
L. McDonald, Toomey leaves one brother, M. Toomey of St. Louis.
TOPPING, E. D./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 10, 1862
We are pained to have to announce the death of one of our most
useful and valuable businessmen, Mr. E. D. Topping, of the firm
of Topping Brothers. He has long been in business in Alton, and
by his upright conduct and courteous manners, had won the
enviable reputation of being one of the most popular business
men of Alton. His loss will be deeply felt in the business
community, the social circle, but most of all in the bosom of
his amiable family. He was 42 years old.
TOPPING, MARY E. (nee ATWOOD)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 8, 1917
Word came to Alton Sunday from
Jacksonville that two of Alton's old time citizens were near
death at their homes in Jacksonville, and that a few days would
be the end of their span of life. They are Mrs. Mary E. Topping,
widow of Erasius Topping, and Mrs. Carrie Cavender, widow of
Robert S. Cavender. The two sisters were daughters of Moses G.
Atwood, for many years a prominent resident of Alton and the
founder of the old Illinois Mutual Insurance Society, which had
its home in the building occupied as a residence by John Snyder
at the present. The place was known for years as the old
"insurance office." The two sisters removed from Alton years
ago, but they have many old friends still here who are deeply
interested in them. The information that friends had from them
Sunday, was that the two sisters were unconscious and rapidly
were growing weaker. Mrs. Topping is 86 years of age, and Mrs.
Cavender is 82. Mrs. Topping died this morning, word came by
wire to friends, and the body will be brought to Alton for
burial Wednesday afternoon. It is expected to come here on the
train reaching Alton Wednesday afternoon shortly after 1 o'clock
from Jacksonville, and the body will be taken to City Cemetery
where services will be conducted by Rev. W. R. Holloway, the
pastor of the Unitarian Church. It was reported that Mrs.
Cavender's condition was about the same as it had been, that she
was still unconscious and that it was not believed she could
last through the day. If her death should occur before the time
set for the funeral of Mrs. Topping, there is a possibility that
a change in the plans may be made which would admit of a double
funeral of the two sisters being held, that in death they might
not be separated. They had been intensely devoted to each other
and had passed all their declining years in the same city at the
same home.
TOREY, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 31, 1905
While on the way to get a drink early this morning, George
Torey, a victim of alcoholism, dropped dead in an alley back of
St. Joseph's hospital. His body was found lying in the alley by
a man who was passing that way, and it was reported to the
hospital. Torey was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon by
order of Dr. Shaff. He was employed by Harry Johnson as an
iceman, but has been drinking so much that he was dismissed from
service Saturday night. He was taken ill and then moved to the
hospital. One of the men in the room with Torey said that Torey
rose early in the morning and said he would go out to get
another drink as he could stand it no longer without more
liquor. The hospital being locked up, he was obliged to remove a
screen from a window and get out that way. While making his way
through the alley he fell to the ground and expired from heart
disease. Torey was 58 years of age and had lived in Alton about
seven years. He was employed for several years by Harry Johnson.
Men who knew him say he would never say whether or not he had
any relatives and none are known to Deputy Coroner A. I. Kaiser,
who held an inquest this morning. A verdict of death from heart
failure superinduced by alcoholism was found by the coroner's
jury. The body will be buried tomorrow at the county's expense.
TORRENCE, SARAH J. [nee LUSK]/Source: Edwardsville
Intelligencer, April 27, 1897
The announcement of the death of Mrs. Sarah
J. Torrence, yesterday morning, caused sorrow in all parts of
the city in which she has made her home for nearly three score
years and ten. The venerable lady died at eight o'clock after an
illness of less than a week. Pleurisy was the cause of death.
The funeral will take place Thursday, but the hour has not been
fixed. Mrs. Sarah J. Torrence was a native of Edwardsville. She
was born here on November 10, 1828. She was the eldest daughter
of John T. and Lucretia Lusk, who were early settlers of
Illinois and among the most prominent of Edwardsville's first
citizens. Her education was received in this city, which has
been her lifelong home. On April 10, 1846 she was married to
Edward S. [Salisbury] Brown. The union was blessed with two
children, Ansel L. and a daughter, Mary Lucretia, who died
September 26, 1850. The death of Edward Brown occurred a short
time before, July 9, of the same year. In the fall of 1853[,]
Mrs. Torrence was married to John R. Torrence. They had two
children, Harry L., now in Portland, Ore., and Gillian L, wife
of C. N. Travous. Mr. Torrence died during the war. Of the
family of her parents only one remains, a sister of Mrs.
Torrence, Mrs. Mary Sloss, of Alabama. Mrs. Torrence was one
upon whom the passing years left slight traces of their flight.
She was keenly alive to[o], and took a great interest in all
current happenings. She was a famed entertainer and the
hospitality of her home was boundless. She had a wide
acquaintanceship and the fact of her death, coming at a time
when she appeared to be full of life and vigor, can scarcely be
realized by her friends.
TOWNES, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
8, 1902
Mrs. Elizabeth Townes, aged 26, died Sunday at
the home of her mother, Mrs. Crowe, Union and Spring streets,
after a long illness. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning
at 9 o'clock from St. Patrick's church.
TOWNSEND, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 19, 1907
Coroner Streeper will hold an inquest tonight as to the
cause of the death of James Townsend, who died from alcoholism
and was buried four days ago. A delay in getting the jury
together caused the postponement of the inquest. Coroner
Streeper was summoned to Marine this afternoon to hold an
inquest over a railroad man killed there by a passenger train.
TOWNSEND, SOPHIA GERALDINE/Source: Alton Telegraph,
April 12, 1837
Died, in this town [Alton], on Thursday
evening, 6th inst., Sophia Geraldine, youngest daughter of J. A.
Townsend.
TRACY, CHARLOTTE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 10,
1906
Nurse Refuses to Submit To Surgery and Dies
Miss
Charlotte Tracey, the hospital nurse who died at St. Joseph's
hospital Sunday from cancer of the stomach, who had spent
eighteen years of her life attending surgical operations and
waiting on surgical cases, refused to undergo an operation
herself. She steadfastly held out against submitting to surgery
when doctors advised her that by undergoing an operation she
would almost surely prolong her life and would not, at least,
diminish it any. Miss Tracey was an intimate friend of some of
the most celebrated doctors in St. Louis. She was the assistant
of one prominent surgeon there for many years and gave most of
her time to his cases.....Miss Tracy had seen so much surgery,
however, that her deep-seated horror of it had developed until
she was willing to take the chances of dying a most agonizing
death from a dreadful malady rather than submit herself to the
surgeon's knife. The body of Miss Tracey was taken to St. Louis
this noon, and burial will be from Mullanphy hospital tomorrow.
TRACY, SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 18, 1911
The funeral of Samuel Tracy was held this morning from the
Lock undertaking establishment. The body was taken to City
Cemetery for burial, attended by relatives and some old friends.
TRAPP, HARRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 1,
1908
Harry Trapp, a well known Alton bartender, died last
night at St. Joseph's hospital after months of suffering from
dropsy and sympathetic diseases. He was about ?? years old, and
lived in Alton several years. He had no relatives here, but has
a couple of sisters in Pennsylvania. The funeral will be held
tomorrow afternoon and will be under the auspices of the Eagles,
of which order he was a member.
TRARES, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24, 1921
James Trares, 3 year old son of Mrs. Clem Trares, died at
his home 506 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, yesterday morning
from injuries suffered Saturday morning when he was struck by an
automobile driven by Charles Selzinger. The boy and other
children were crossing the street in front of the Trares home
when an approaching wagon caused the Trares child to turn back
into the path of Seizinger's automobile. He was struck by the
fender and his skull was fractured.
TRATT, JOHN HUBERT 'JACK'/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 13, 1918
John
Hubert Tratt, better known as "Jack" Tratt, died at an early
hour this morning at his home, 1100 East Fourth street, after a
week's illness with pneumonia. Few of his friends knew that
Tratt was ill, and his death came as a great surprise. Tratt was
a well known sign painter and had established a good business in
the city. He was 34 years of age, and has resided in Alton for
some time. His brother, J. E. Tratt of Mexico, Mo., arrived this
morning and took charge of the funeral arrangements. Jack Tratt
was probably best known as a hunter. His time was spent, during
hunting season, at the resorts on the Illinois river. He was a
very successful hunter and always brought back much game when
there was any chance to get it. He was a man of strong robust
physique, the picture of health. The body was shipped to Shipman
this afternoon at 4 o'clock, and the funeral and interment will
take place in that town.
TRAVIS, GEORGE LEE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 4,
1914
George Lee Travis, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Travis,
died this afternoon at St. Joseph's Hospital from congestion of
the brain. He was suffering from the grippe, and after getting
better he went back to work, but later suffered a relapse and
then he developed congestion of the brain. The family lives on
Park avenue in Upper Alton.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, December 5, 1914
The congestion of the brain
which caused the death of George Lee Travis, 17 year old son of
G. N. Travis, in St. Joseph's Hospital Friday afternoon is
believed to have been brought on in a great measure by his
extraordinary efforts to accomplish results in the line of
electrical mechanics. Travis' parents say that he was a great
reader on all mechanical and electrical subjects, and rigged up
a number of small inventions, the ideas for which he had got by
reading technical magazines. Among them was a small aeroplane
which he succeeded in getting to fly a short distance. The young
lad was recognized by his playmates as a mechanical genius and
he has long looked forward to taking a course in an electrical
college in the East. To get funds for this schooling he had been
working at the Illinois Box Factory, where he was employed when
he became ill with the grip. His eagerness to get back to work
in order that he might not lose time caused him to return to his
work too soon, and was what caused his relapse, it is thought.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from
the home.
TRAVIS, GEORGE W./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
10, 1917
Former Claims Agent for Traction Company
George W. Travis, former well known claim agent for the
Alton, Granite City and St. Louis Traction Company, died at 12
o'clock Sunday night at St. Joseph's hospital. He was very ill,
suffering from stomach trouble at East Alton and he was removed
in the Steeper ambulance Friday to St. Joseph's Hospital, where
his death occurred last night. The body was taken charge of by
the Streeper & Son undertaking establishment, and is at their
parlors on Washington avenue. Deceased leaves his wife, one son
and one daughter. Funeral arrangements had not been made this
afternoon. Travis had been separated from his wife, who lived on
Park avenue in Upper Alton since last winter. The Travis affairs
were aired a time or two in the Alton courts, and the wife
secured an injunction against him to keep him from annoying her
or her children at their home in Upper Alton. Travis protested
bitterly against the injunction and frequently said that he
loved his wife and children and wanted to go back to them. To
keep within the provisions of the injunction he made his home in
East Alton and worked at times for the Standard Oil refinery and
the Western Cartridge plant. Travis has not been in the best of
health for some time. Friday he was seen in East Alton, at which
time he declared that he felt the end was coming and that he
expected to go to the hospital for good. He said his ailment was
chronic stomach troubles. Travis said Friday that he had given
up drinking and that drink was not responsible for his illness.
East Alton officials say that Mrs. Travis learned Saturday of
her husband's serious illness through a newspaper notice in the
Telegraph of Friday night, and that she came down Saturday and
offered to do what she could for him. She visited him several
times at the hospital, and her children spent the greater part
of the time at the hospital during his brief illness. The Travis
family came to Alton about eight years ago from Chanooga [sic],
Tenn., when Mr. Travis, who was an experienced railroad man,
secured the position of assistant claim agent, which he gave up
about two years ago.
TRAVIS,
OLIVER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 20, 1905
Oliver Travis, aged 20 years 9 months, died at St. Joseph's
hospital at 1 o'clock Thursday morning from the effects of
injuries he sustained three weeks ago tomorrow by falling from
the Ryder building at Second and Alby street. He fell a distance
of 90 feet, striking on his back and head and concussion of the
brain caused his death. His sister and brother attended him, the
sister being with him since he was hurt. Deputy Coroner A. I.
Keiser held an inquest this afternoon and prepared the body for
shipment to Decatur. The verdict of the coroner's jury was
accidental death. The body will be sent to Decatur tonight,
accompanied by the brother and sister. The young man was very
industrious and thifty and his death was keenly regretted by his
fellow employees. He was unconscious most of the time since his
accident. It was supposed he was over 21 years of age.
TRAVOUS,
CHARLES N., ATTORNEY/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 2,
1907 - Submitted by Jane Denny
Edwardsville Attorney C. N. Travous Is
Found Dead in His Bed
Edwardsville has seen few sensations
more profound than that produced this morning by the news that
attorney Charles N. Travous had been found dead in bed. Mr.
Travous has had many serious illnesses, but none expected him to
die during the night and at a time when his wife and daughter
were hundreds of miles away. Mr. Travous had been to New York
three times in the past month on business of gravest importance
for the Wabash. Mrs. Travous and their eldest daughter, Miss
Sara, went east a week ago at Mr. Travous' request, to spend a
few days with him in New York. He was called back to St. Louis
by an urgent message and they stopped off at Waverly, New York,
to spend a day with Mrs. Emily Crane Tew. In consequence, Mr.
Travous came in at night while his wife and daughter arrived
this afternoon at 1:30 on Number 9. Mr. Travous went to his home
on St. Louis Street last evening, dined with his daughter,
Louise, and afterwards went for a walk with her. They strolled
about town for a couple of hours and then Mr. Travous retired.
The last words of his daughter to him were that she would not
call him early this morning, as he looked very tired. This
morning he did not make his appearance at the breakfast table,
and after knocks and soft calls at the door had failed to get
any answer, Louise became alarmed. Dr. S. T. Robinson was
hurriedly summoned and declared that Mr. Travous had been dead
probably ten or twelve hours. Dr. J. A. Hirsch, who had treated
Mr. Travous in recent years expressed the belief that hepatic
trouble was the cause of death.
Charles Norton
Travous was a brilliant example, right at home, of the self-made
man. He first came to Edwardsville driving a pair of mules
attached to a water wagon. He died in one of the most costly and
beautiful homes that the city has [824 St. Louis Street]. When
he arrived in town he had not a single penny and owned merely
the clothes that he wore, but he amassed a considerable fortune.
He was then unknown, but he archived fame in his profession and
rose to high position. And it was all due to what finally killed
him - hard work.
Mr. Travous was 50 years old on
January 26, this year. He was born on a farm south of
Collinsville, his father being a former officer in the French
army who came to the new world and went to farming. Both his
parents were Irish and natives of the old country. They
prospered but slowly, and occasionally the family knew the
bitterest want. The father died and the mother had to make shift
for the large family and then the children for themselves.
Charles Travous was water boy for the construction crew when the
Vandalia railroad was built. Then he hired out with threshing
outfits. He got his first real job when he became bookkeeper for
the F. O. Sawyer Paper Company in St. Louis. Then he decided on
a profession and commenced the study of law in the office of
Gillespie & Happy. Mr. Travous studied law in the summer and
taught school in the winter. He walked from Edwardsville to
Highland, took the examination under A. A. Suppiger, received a
first grade certificate entitling him to teach, and walked all
the way back to Edwardsville, the happiest of young men. He
taught in the neighborhood of Grantfork for several years,
between 1878 and 1881. In this year he was admitted to the bar,
and the law firm of Gillespie & Happy being severed, that of
Happy & Travous was established. This continued until Mr. Happy
went west in 1891. In July that year, Mr. Travous and Wilbur M.
Warnock formed the partnership of Travous & Warnock which
continued until November 1, 1899, when George D. Burroughs was
admitted and the firm became Travous, Warnock & Burroughs. This
continued until February, 1905, when Mr. Travous withdrew to
give his whole attention to the Wabash work which had lately
been claiming most of his time. His late partner, W. M. Warnock,
declared today that he was the best all-around lawyer that he
had ever known, and this fact made his services so valuable to
the road [Wabash].
When Travous left his office on
the thirteenth floor of the Lincoln Trust building, St. Louis,
he did not leave his business behind, but turned it over in his
mind on the cars, and studied it further at home, and pondered
on it after he had gone to bed. His concentration and breadth
brought success in every sway. He became one of the foremost men
in his profession, he was regarded as a shrewd and successful
politician, and he amassed material wealth as well.
Mr. Travous was married, October 6, 1888 to Miss Gillian Lusk
Torrence, daughter of the late Mrs. Sarah Torrence. Their union
was of the happiest. It was a love match, pure and simple, as
the husband then had nothing but his indomitable will. Their
marriage took place in the Methodist church and was one of the
last ceremonies performed by the late E. M. West. Mrs. Travous
was very proud of her husband's wonderful success and was his
close companion and advisor all through their life together.
They have two children, Sarah Margaret, aged 18, who graduated
from the high school a month ago, and Rachel Louise, aged 16.
Mr. Travous has five sisters and a brother. The brother, Sam
Travous, lives at Poplar Bluff, Mo. One sister, Mrs. Frank
Anderlin, resides in St. Louis. The mother made her home in the
last years of her life with her son here, and died about ten
years ago.
In Edwardsville, Mr. Travous occupied the
position of a foremost citizen. His legal practice and his
social standing placed him there without question. He was ever
in demand as an after-dinner speaker, and his advice and
co-operation were sought in many affairs. When the First
National Bank was organized in 1897, he was made the first vice
president, and continued in the position as long as his
connection with the institution remained.
Between Mr.
Travous and Dr. S. T. Robinson, who was summoned on the case
this morning, there existed a peculiar bond of coincident
circumstances. Each came to Edwardsville for the practice of a
profession. They commenced at the same time in 1881, their
offices were at the north-west corner of Main and Parcell
streets, they were practically the same age, the birthday of
each being in the fore part of 1867. They were both married in
October, 1886, and each attended the other's wedding. In the
early eighties their practices as new beginners was slender and
they had much time together, which they spent in each other's
offices, discussing matters of mutual interest as their
professional success advanced.
While Mr. Travous'
death was a terrible shock to everyone, the manner of his
passing was not surprise to those who knew him even
indifferently well. He was such a hard worker and was under so
continual a strain that sudden death was anticipated in his
case. He had had previous attacks of illness, which several
times threatened to carry him off. No one knew better than he
what was liable to happen, but he did not loosen his expenditure
of energy one whit. He was a believer in insurance and carried a
heavy line estimated at about $30,000.
TREADWAY, WILLIAM CHESTER/Source: Alton Telegraph, October 17,
1838
Died, on Thursday morning last, William Chester,
only child of F. and E. J. Treadway, aged 3 months and 4 days.
TREMMEL, JOSEPHINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October
11, 1916
Mrs. Josephine
Tremmel died today at 11:50 at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
John Dunlap of 620 East Fourth street, after an illness of one
year, complications being the cause of death. Mrs. Tremmel was
taken ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Kies of
Belleview avenue, but was taken to Mrs. Dunlap's home some weeks
ago. On Friday Mrs. Tremmel became unconscious and remained in
that state until she died. The deceased was 67 years and 9
months of age. Just seven years ago to the day, her father,
Peter Kremer of this city, died. Mrs. Tremmel was born in
Berlin, Germany, coming to this country when a very small child.
For years Mrs. Tremmel has lived in Alton and her large family
was raised in this city. Mrs. Tremmel is survived by nine
children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her
sons are Jake, Edward and Tony of Alton, and John of St. Louis.
Her daughters are Mrs. George Kellar, Mrs. John Kies, Mrs. Al
Fullager, Mrs. John Dunlap and Mrs. Lawrence Piepert. Three
brothers, Anto Kremer of Denver, Pete Kremer of Edwardsville,
and M. Kremer of Alton, also survive. The funeral will be held
from the Dunlap residence at 620 East Fourth street to the
Cathedral on State street Friday morning. Solemn Requiem High
Mass will be celebrated at 9 o'clock. Burial will be in
Greenwood Cemetery.
TREMMEL,
VERNE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 16, 1906
Verne, the 3 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Tremmel, died
Sunday morning after an illness from the prevalent malady among
the children [dysentery]. The funeral will be held Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock from the home on Ridge street, Rev.
Theodore Oberhellmann officiating.
TRENCHERY, EMILIUS PIERRE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
August 16, 1904
Foremost Blind Musician and Instructor
Passes Away
After a life of over ninety-one years, filled with
interesting events and with associations in which figured some
of the most prominent men of his earlier days, Emilius
Trenchery, a native of France, slept away the last hours of his
life and ceased breathing Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock. The
death of Mr. Trenchery marks the passing of a man who at one
time had an international reputation as an instructor of the
blind and a musician. He number among his acquaintances, General
Lafayette. He was a schoolmate of Braille, the great inventor of
the system of reading by raised letters for the blind. He was
born in Dijon Cote D'ore, France, December 10, ninety-one years
ago [1813]. He was graduated from the great school for the blind
in Paris, France when a young man, and in 1832, when the state
of Massachusetts determined to found its first school for the
blind at Boston, Mr. Trenchery was invited to come to America
and become the premier principal of the new school. It was under
his direction that the school was founded, and documents still
in the possession of his family attest the esteem in which he
was held. He did not come to America until he had first sought
the advice of his friend, General Lafayette, who had then
returned from his tour of triumph in the United States.
Lafayette advised him to cast his fortune in the new world, and
he did so. Among the interesting facts about Mr. Trenchery is
that he was the teacher of the instructors who accomplished such
wonders with Laura Bridgman, the Helen Keller of many years ago.
He came to Alton in 1836 with a large number of eastern people,
when Alton was the gateway to the west, and he settled down to
practice his profession of music. He composed many pieces which
possessed great merit, and he taught many prominent Alton people
what they know of music. Among his Alton proteges who achieved
fame is the now Canon J. H. Knowles, one of the highest
dignitaries of the Episcopal church, who has become famous
through his work in behalf of liturgical music in the Episcopal
church. Recently, Mr. Trenchery received a letter from his old
pupil in which he expressed the highest regard for him, and told
of meeting Mr. Trenchery's daughter, Mrs. Rosalie Whitmore and
her daughter, Eugenia, of Omaha, on an ocean liner. Canon
Knowles started as organist in an Alton Episcopal church, and it
was here that he decided to study for the ministry. In his
autobiography, Canon Knowles says, "My first teacher was a
Frenchman at Alton, named Trenchery. He was blind, but a most
apt musician. He taught me a little harmony from the first, and
so opened up before me some of the delights and mysteries of
music." Mr. Trenchery was organist in an Alton church when his
wife to be, a young French girl, Wilhelmina Kohler [see her
obituary below], came to Alton, and her voice soon found her a
place in the church choir. A romantic courtship and marriage
followed. Mr. Trenchery had been in good health until last
Saturday night, when he took a chill. He steadily weakened,
without any suffering, and at last, Tuesday morning, dissolution
took place. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rosalie
Whitmore of Omaha, who is now in Europe; Miss Wilhelmina
Trenchery; and two sons, Ernani J. and Emilius Jr., of Alton.
The time of the funeral has not been set. [Burial was in Alton
City Cemetery]
[Note: Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 26, 1942: The old Trenchery homestead was at
601 State Street, and was built before 1842. Emilius Jr. was
born September 11, 1855, and devoted much of his life to
composing music. He was known best in Alton as a Band Director
of the Old Standard Band, the predecessor of the White Hussars,
and of the Enterprise Band. He died in March 1942 and is buried
in the Alton City Cemetery.]
Source: San
Francisco Call, California, August 17, 1904
Emilius
Pierre Trenchery Passes Away at the Age of 91
Alton,
Ill., August 16 - Emilius Pierre Trenchery is dead at his home,
aged 91 years. Trenchery, who was blind, was half a century age
known as one of the foremost blind musicians and educators in
America. He was a schoolmate of Braille, the inventor of the
system of reading by raised letters, and when he came to America
he introduced that system.
Source: Utica, New
York Herald Dispatch, August 19, 1904
Emilius Pierre
Trenchery, who has just died in Alton, Ill., at the age of 91,
was half a century ago known as one of the foremost blind
musicians and educators in America. He was a native of France,
and was graduated from the great school for the blind at Paris.
He was a schoolmate of Braille, the inventor of the system of
reading by raised letters, and when he came to America, he
introduced that system. In 1836 Mr. Trenchery came to Alton,
where he had since resided.
Source: Illinois
State Business Directory, 1860
Trenchery, Emilius, piano
fortes, etc., Alton, Madison County
TRENCHERY,
WILHELMINA (nee KOHLER)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January
25, 1901
Wife of Emile Trenchery
Mrs. Wilhelmina Kohler Trenchery was born in Kehl on the Rhine,
Grand Duchy of Baden, belonging to the well known Kohler family
of Baden. As a very young woman, she came to Alton to visit a
brother. Her friends prevailed upon her to remain and devote
herself to an active musical life, having an exceptionally fine
voice. She soon filled prominent places in the churches of St.
Louis and Alton. It was while singing in the Cathedral in the
latter place that she met her husband, Emile Trenchery, who was
the organist at that time. The husband and four children survive
her: Mrs. Whitmore, Miss W. Trenchery, Emelius and Ernant
Trenchery. Also a sister, Mrs. Louis Bickle. The deceased was
devoted to her home and family. She passed away quietly January
24th of heart failure. Rev. George Gebauer will conduct the
services, which will be private from the family residence,
Sunday afternoon.
TRENDALL, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 27, 1911
Joseph Trendall, for many years a well known carpenter in
Alton, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. August Kitzenberg,
in East Alton, this morning at 7 o'clock at the age of 79, after
a few days illness due to the infirmities of old age. He has
lived in St. Louis and Alton the greater part of his life. He
was born in England and was reared on a whaling boat in the
waters of England. On coming to America at an early age he
followed the carpenter trade until his retirement on account of
old age. He came from St. Louis last August, and has been living
ever since at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kitzenberg, who are
proprietors of the Kitzenberg hotel in East Alton. His wife died
several years ago. He leaves five children, and a son, William,
who went away from home in 1894 and has not been heard of since.
The other four children are a daughter, Mrs. H. C. Henley of St.
Louis; Charles Trendall of St. Louis; Clark Trendall of Petluma,
Cal.; and Mrs. August Kitzenberg. The time of the funeral has
not been set and will not be until relatives from St. Louis
arrive to assist in the funeral arrangements.
TRENTSCH, UNKNOWN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 26, 1921
The funeral of Mrs. Herman Trentsch was held this morning
from the family residence on East Fifth Street at nine o'clock.
Requiem Mass was said by Rev. Father Meckel rector of St. Mary's
church. Interment was in St. Joseph's cemetery. There were very
many beautiful floral offerings. The pallbearers were Vincent
Wardein, Henry Wardein, John Klasner, John Schmidt, John Merkle
and Neck Schweagel. The funeral was largely attended by
relatives and friends of the deceased. Among those from out of
town attending were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Finkes, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Finkes, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Lohman, Mrs. John Finkes, Mr.
and Mrs. Geo. Hoefner, Mrs. Mary Hime, John Bentles and the
Misses Oren and Hyacinth Lohman of St. Louis, Misses Pauline and
Anna Bentles of Winchester, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. George
Stiritz of Godfrey, Ill.
TRICE, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11, 1911
William Trice, colored, aged 36 years, died Tuesday at his
home, 1426 Cyrus street, after an illness from pneumonia. He
leaves a wife and three children. The funeral will be held
Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Union Baptist church.
TRIPLETT, MYRTLE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 10,
1905
Woman's Mysterious Disappearance - Did She Drown?
Mrs. Myrtle Triplett, wife of Homer Triplett, is supposed to
have been drowned Sunday night off the steamer Ruth, but whether
it is a case of suicide or not cannot be said. She was about 35
years of age, and beside her husband, from whom she had
separated, she leaves a daughter, Ida, who was on the boat with
the mother. According to Ed Pillsbury, pilot of the Ruth, Mrs.
Triplett went to the boat Sunday evening with her daughter to
see Pillsbury. They were conversing in the pilot house, and
Pillsbury said he was thirsty. Mrs. Triplet took a bucket and
started to go downstairs on the boat to the ice water cooler for
some ice water. Pillsbury had been drinking beer, and he called
to her to bring up some beer to him if there was any on the
boat. Mrs. Triplett had a pocket book containing $36.85 which
she left in the pilot house with Pillsbury and her daughter. She
is said to have picked it up and then laid it down again,
evidently being preoccupied in mind. She never came back.
Pillsbury says he did not hear her splash in the water, and
other men sleeping on the boat adjacent to the Ruth did not hear
anything. It was supposed, after a search of her home and other
places had failed to find her, that she had fallen or jumped
into the river and was drowned. A search for the body was
started today.
Is Mrs. Triplett Alive? Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, July 12, 1905 [hard to read ... parts
missing]
There is a growing feeling among those who know
the parties most ... that Mrs. Myrtle Triplett, the woman who
disappeared Sunday off the steamer Ruth and who is supposed to
have been drowned, is alive and well and is keeping se- ....
from her friends for reasons unknown. Police officers have been
told by several parties that they have seen Triplett since
Sunday night .... State street business man .... saw her between
9 and 10 o'clock Monday night and spoke to .... she did not care
to talk more ... acknowledge his salutation, ... but passed on.
He followed ... says and she left on a south ... Bluff Line
train.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1905
Body of Mrs. Triplett Found Afloat
All doubt
as to the fate of Mrs. Myrtle Triplett, the woman who
disappeared last Sunday night during a heavy storm of rain, was
set at rest by the finding of her body Thursday morning by two
amateur fishermen, who had been raising a trotline below the
bridge, and while rowing below the bridge they found the body of
the missing woman afloat. Deputy Coroner A. I. Keiser was
notified of the finding of the body and took charge of it. Ed
Pillsbury, who was with Mrs. Triplett the night she fell into
the river, was seen after the finding of the body and he said
that he believed the woman fell overboard from the Ruth in the
darkness and rain, last Sunday night, and going between the
barge and the boat had no opportunity of calling for help as she
probably sank immediately. Mr. Pillsbury said that so far as
there being any mystery about the little girl, Ida Triplett, the
stories to that effect are false. Ida Triplett has been at the
home of Charles Pillsbury on Common street since the
disappearance of her mother, and no attempt was made to conceal
her. Pillsbury says that the child has a grandmother at
Columbus, Missouri, and that if the grandmother wishes to take
charge of the child she may do so. Ida will be kept in her
present home until the grandmother is heard from. When the body
of Mrs. Triplett was found, the fishermen brought it up to the
Ashlock dock and tied it up there until the deputy coroner could
hold an inquest. The coroner's inquest was held this afternoon
at 2 o'clock by Deputy Keiser, and the funeral was held at the
same hour, Rev. Theodore Oberhellmann conducting the services in
City cemetery. The jury impaneled viewed the body in the
morning, and listened to the evidence in the afternoon. The
coroner's jury found a verdict of accidental drowning. The two
young men who found the body, Arthur Coe and Harry Wentz,
testified that they found it floating in the Burlington pocket
about at the foot of George street, in a clump of willows. No
information as to the cause of death could be elicited.
TROBRAUGH/TROBAUGH, EDITH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May
16, 1922
Dies in Train Accident
Mrs. Edith Trobaugh, wife of Ted Trobraugh, died
at 11:15 o'clock last night from injuries she sustained in the
accident when a C. & A. train struck the automobile in which
she, with Harry L. Gwinner, was riding. Mrs. Trobraugh never
regained consciousness after she became insensible on arriving
at Jerseyville. Members of the family say that no surgical
attention was given her, as it was believed she way dying. An
ambulance was sent to Jerseyville to bring her to St. Joseph
hospital and she remained unconsciousness until the time of her
death. Mrs. Trobaugh was 23 years of age, and she lived with her
husband on East Broadway. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Perry
Scroggins, who came here from Carrolton. She leaves six sisters
and two brothers, beside her parents. She leaves no children.
The death of Mrs. Trobraugh in Alton will make necessary the
holding of a coroner's inquest in this city. Deputy Coroner
Streeper willl hold it. The inquest was over Harry L. Swinner
was held today at Jerseyville, and his body will be home this
evening. The body of Mrs. Trobraugh was moved today to the home
of her mother over Luft's garage on Belle Street. It was said at
the home of the parents of Mrs. Trobraugh today that Mrs.
Trobraugh had some shopping to do for her husband, and that
while Harry Gwinner was doing some shopping for his mother, he
had met her and giving her a lift, he had decided to take a
drive in the country for a short time. It was while they were
taking the drive the accident occurred. Glen Roberts, a
brother-in-law of Mrs. Trobaugh, was express messenger on the
train that struck the automobile and killed the two occupants.
He did not recognize the woman until she had spoken to him, so
battered was she, and he telephoned from Jerseyville to his
wife's family, notifying them of the accident. The family of the
woman knew of the accident before the family of Harry Gwinner
were certain who it was had been killed.
TROWBRIDGE, CATHARINE/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 10, 1836
Died, in this place [Alton], on Monday, the 9th instant, at
4 o'clock a.m., Catharine Trowbridge, in the fifth year of her
age, second daughter of Mr. Richard M. Treadway. Her illness was
of the most afflictive character - in the onset, congestive
bilious fever, and in the sequel, dropsy of the brain.
TRUBE, MAX/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 30, 1910
Alderman Dies of Injuries While Riding in Fire Truck
Alderman Max Trube, who was
injured last Wednesday while attending a test of an auto fire
truck, by being thrown from the rear end of the truck as the
truck skidded in making a turn, died Sunday night at St.
Joseph's hospital. Trube's condition at no time has been
hopeful. The doctors thought that at times he showed signs of a
clearing of the concussion of the brain, which was the cause of
his death, but always he would have his bad spells and he never
was able to talk freely since he was hurt. Sunday morning he
seemed brighter than he had been, and for the first time all of
his surgeons agreed that he was somewhat improved, but shortly
after noon he began to grow worse and death came at 7:40 p.m.
The doctors had given up hope about 6 o'clock, but they thought
Trube would pull through the night and probably today. The
collapse was sudden and very unexpected, and was over in a very
short time. His wife and one of his daughters was with him. All
the members of his family had been attending him. There has been
deep interest in Trube's condition since he was injured. At
times the doctors thought he might get well, and he had many
acquaintances who believed he would also, owing to his physical
strength. He suffered injuries which might have killed most men
outright. Max Trube was serving his third term in the office of
first ward alderman. The first time he ran he had opposition,
but the candidate had lived in Alton barely long enough to have
a vote, and this fact contributed to Trube's victory over him.
When he was elected to the council he set about strengthening
himself with his constituents, and he never lost an opportunity
to do something he believed might make him stronger in his ward.
He worked constantly being alderman, and after his first term he
had no opposition the other two times he was a candidate. He
took a conspicuous part in the city council's meetings. He was a
candidate for the office of mayor pro tem, and when he failed to
secure pledges of enough aldermen to warrant a continuance of
his candidacy for that honorary position, he was deeply
disappointed. He was a member of the Republican county central
committee. Politics was the one thing that held his principal
interest. He always claimed that it was a pastime he had taken
up to help him regain his health. After he was ill and his life
was given up a number of years ago, he made his entry in
politics by becoming an alderman, with the hope that he would
eventually become mayor, an ambition he frequently expressed.
Politics seemed to agree with him, and to some extent he made a
success of it. He was 44 years of age, and he leaves his wife
and four daughters. He is survived also by his parents, and one
brother and one sister. Mr. Trube made a good success out of his
business career in Alton. He started in a small way in the
furniture and house furnishing line, and he built up a
prosperous business, and not long ago he widened out into other
branches of trade, organizing the Union Storage and Transfer
Company. He was aided in his business prosperity by his wife and
a devoted family. Max Trube was born in Russia in 1866, and was
in his forty-fifth year. He came to America in 1883, and to
Alton in 1904 from St. Louis. His mother was not attending him
when he died, as she was summoned to attend her only daughter in
Chicago, who is very ill. A brother and his father were with
him. The body was moved from the hospital Monday morning about 2
o'clock and taken to the home. It will be taken from there to
St. Louis at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning for burial there. The
family of the deceased Alderman have decided to take the body to
St. Louis tomorrow morning, and the funeral will take place in
the afternoon from Jewish synagogue where the family worships.
They asked that six of the members of the City Council act as
pallbearers. These six, with the mayor, will go as an escort to
the body to St. Louis tomorrow morning, leaving at 10:30 a.m. An
informal meeting of the city council is called for MOnday
evening to make arrangements for attending the funeral of
Alderman Trube. Members of the council will serve as
pallbearers. The Elks also will participate in the funeral. The
services in St. Louis will be at Bnaiamoona Temple in St. Louis
Tuesday.
TRUMBULL, SARAH PARSONS/Source: Alton Telegraph,
December 8, 1838
Departed this life very suddenly on
Saturday morning last, Mrs. Sarah Parsons Trumbull, consort of
Mr. Charles Trumbull of this city, at the age of 28 years. Also,
their infant daughter, Helen Parsons Trumbull, aged three weeks.
The deceased was a ____ member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and adorned her profession by exhibiting in her daily
walk and conversation the various graces appertaining in the
Christian character. Although her departure to the eternal world
was sudden and unexpected, her deeply afflicted husband and
numerous friends are comforted under this mysterious
dispensation of Providence by the confident hope that she has
exchanged the _______ sorrows and troubles of this _____ for a
blissful immortality; and that together with her lovely babe,
she now reposes "in the bosom of her Father and her God."
TRYON, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 13, 1909
The funeral of John Tryon, who died yesterday afternoon from
pneumonia, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
family home, 1240 Main street. As briefly referred to yesterday,
the young man had been the helper of his stepfather, Charles
Sunderland, since he was a little child. The stepfather, having
no arms and being compelled to make a living, was enabled with
the assistance of the young man to take care of himself. He
helped his crippled stepfather to dress, hitched and curried his
teams, did all kinds of little services which an armless man
might require others to do for him, and he was indeed the arms
to the armless man. The loss to Mr. Sunderland is very heavy.
The young man was always dutiful to his stepfather and his
constant attendant when at work. Rev. M. W. Twing will conduct
the funeral services.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, April 15, 1909
The funeral of John Tryon was
held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Sunderland on Main street. Burial was in City cemetery.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. W. Twing and were
attended by a very large number of sympathizing friends and
relatives of the young man and of the family.
TUCKER, C. P./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 9,
1912
Drowned in Mississippi River
C. P. Tucker, aged 24,
employed at the Illinois box factory, was drowned in the
Mississippi a short distance from the Fluent dock, Sunday
afternoon, when help was very close at hand and he was just
finishing a swim of more than two miles. A big roller from a
passing motor boat, the Allamakee, is supposed to have caused
the young man to drowned by striking him in the face, strangling
him and causing him to lose his presence of mind. Tucker, with
John Davey and two sons, John Jr. and Paul Davey, rowed up the
river Sunday to Riverside park, and there the whole party took a
swim. When it was time to return, John Davey Jr. and Tucker
decided to swim down to the Fluent dock, and John Davey Sr. and
Paul Davey were in the skiff and rowed with them. The skiff kept
the boys company all the way to the Fluent dock. When about
fifty feet out from the dock, Tucker's swimming partner shouted
to inquire whether Tucker still felt strong and able to finish,
and Tucker said he was. The next moment the big roller from the
Allamakee broke over the young man, and he sank, never to appear
again. The skiff was about six feet away from Tucker at the
time, and Mr. Davey backed it as quickly as he could, at the
same time struggling with the wave, and he says that he failed
to see the young man again. No one else saw him either, although
many people were close at hand. Charles Norman was crossing the
river at the time and was close at hand with the Sport. He had
to check his boat so he could ride safely through the huge wave
that the Allamakee was rolling off, and saw that something had
happened and hurried over, but he was too late to do any good.
The drowning occurred in deep water, where the current was
swift, and the search for the body was fruitless. The river men
said that it would probably not be found until it floated.
Tucker was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He came here
from Fredericktown, Mo. No attempt had been made this afternoon
to find the body of the drowned young man. Word from
Fredericksburg, Mo., where his parents live, say that if found,
they want the body shipped back to them, but as they are poor
and unable to furnish any money for extra expenses, nothing
could be done. The body should be floating by this time, unless
it is held down by a snag.
TUCKER, EDITH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 22,
1906
In Bed Since Birth, Woman Dies
Miss Edith Tucker, an
inmate of Beverly Farm institute at Godfrey, died yesterday,
aged 35. Dr. W. H. C. Smith, who conducts Beverly Farm, said
that she had been at his place seven years as an inmate of his
institution, and that he was reliably informed that the young
woman had been in bed all her life. She had never been able to
walk, and was helpless from a paralytic stroke which she
suffered when an infant. Her parents died a number of years ago,
and she left no relatives that are known of. She was an inmate
of a similar institution at Chicago, when the institution failed
and she was sent to Dr. Smith by the public guardian in Chicago.
She required constant attention. The funeral services were held
this afternoon, and were conducted by Rev. W. F. Marts of the
Godfrey Congregational church. Burial was in Dr. Smith's lot in
Godfrey cemetery.
TUETKEN, HARM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 20, 1901
Harm Tuetken, aged 67, for years a resident of Bethalto,
will be buried Sunday afternoon from the home. He died Thursday
afternoon after several months sickness. Deceased was a widower,
and leaves four children. The daughters are Mrs. Fred Smith,
Alton; Mrs. Anna Crawford of East Alton; and Mrs. George
Brinkman of West Alton. The son, Seward Tuetken, lives at
Bethalto. [ Buried in Lutheran Cemetery]
TULLER,
ISAAC C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 31, 1901
Isaac C. Tuller, one of the most prominent contractors and
builders of Alton, and a well known citizen, died at 1 o'clock
Thursday morning at the family home, 819 east Fifth street. He
was taken ill three weeks ago with grip, and the disease
developed into lung fever. Mr. Tuller was in his sixtieth year
and had been a resident of Alton many years. He leaves five
children: F. H. Tuller, Mrs. William Wilson, R. G. Tuller,
Misses Grace and Ethel Tuller. The funeral will take place
Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, and services will be at the
family home on Fifth street.
TUREFF, JOHN C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 21,
1919
Railroad Engineer
John C. Tureff, for 35 years engineer on the Big
Four, and for many years the driver of the Big Four Flyer
between Alton and St. Louis, dropped dead Monday afternoon just
as he had returned from a six weeks' stay in a hospital in St.
Louis. Mr. Tureff was greeting a friend in the hallway on the
second floor of the Alton Banking and Trust Co. building when he
expired. He had a room there where he slept, and as he was about
to enter the room he noticed a friend in the office of Dr.
Shaff, greeted her, and was smiling pleasantly over his seeing
friends again, when he dropped to the floor. Dr. Shaff was in
his office at the time and he hurried to the prostrate man, to
find that he was dead. Mr. Tureff had been troubled with an
attack of Bright's disease. He had gone to a hospital in St.
Louis to undergo treatment and after a six weeks' stay he was so
much improved he decided to come home. He dropped in at the
office of his son-in-law, C. F. Yeakel, and there he invited
himself to go for supper to the Yeakel home. He indicated that
he had a big appetite, and that he was looking forward with
great pleasure to taking the evening meal with his son-in-law's
family. He spoke of going back to work soon, and then went over
to the room nearby where he had slept before going to the
hospital. Mr. Tureff was one of the best engineers on the Big
Four and was the oldest in point of service. He was in his
sixty-first year. When the Big Four flyer was discontinued he
was given the plug train between Alton and East Alton, and he
was serving in the capacity of engineer on that run when he was
taken sick and took a layoff. He was known as a very skillful,
careful engineer, and he made some fast runs with his train. He
was a man of the best of habits and the highest character. His
wife died about a year ago. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. C. F.
Yeakel, and two sons, George of Mattoon and Stanley of Albany,
N. Y. Mr. Tureff would have been 62 years of age November 9. He
was born in Toronto, Canada, and came to the United States when
a boy. At the age of 15 he started firing an engine on the Grand
Trunk Railroad. At the age of 21 he became an engineer on the
Big Four. He had been in poor health the past two years. Beside
his children he leaves his aged mother, Mrs. E. J. Parkinson,
Transcona, Manitoba, and two sisters in Canada, and a brother in
Texas.
TURKS, JULIUS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
February 2, 1906
Found Unconscious Behind the Boston Store
Julius Turks was found unconscious a
half hour after midnight Thursday night on the levee, back of
the Boston store. Officers conveyed him to St. Joseph's hospital
where he died four hours later. Dr. C. H. Merritt was summoned
to attend him said that Turk was suffering from the combined
effects of whisky and drugs. The man did not regain
consciousness. Dr. C. H. Merritt, who attended the man, said
that he was probably an opium fiend and that he was also filled
with whisky. While full of whisky and the drug, he laid down on
the levee, and under the influence of cold and the drugs he was
soon in a dying condition. The man was not well dressed, and was
apparently about 40 years of age. No one knows where he lives.
His name was found written upon a piece of paper which was
wrapped up in a handkerchief, and from this fact it is supposed
that there may have been an element of suicide in the death of
the man.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
February 9, 1906
Coroner Streeper has received a letter
form A. W. Bache of St. Louis, saying that the man who committed
suicide by morphine poisoning and whose name is Julius Turk, is
an old soldier and a pensioner. The writer of the letter says
that the man formerly an inmate of the St. Louis hospital.
TURNBULL, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16,
1921
Former Alton Boy Slain in Battle Three Years ago
The
Telegraph today received two clippings, telling a tragedy of the
Great War, from Portabello, Midlothian, Scotland. One was a
heading of an article that had been published in the Telegraph a
number of years ago which tells of George Turnbull, a former
Alton boy, winning first honors in the Edinburgh Art college in
Scotland. Just the heading told the story. The other little
clipping was a brief memorial for Lieut. George Turnbull, 16th
Royal Scots, slain April 15, 1918 near Balileul, France. He was
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turnbull, formerly of this city.
The family had attempted to get the memorial in the Alton
Telegraph on the third anniversary of their son's death, but the
mails had delayed the letter just a day, and it came in this
morning. Many Alton people remember the Turnbull family, who are
now residing at 10 Piershill Terrace, Portobello, Midlotian,
Scotland. The young man gave up his art work when he was called
to the colors to fight during the war, and many of his friends
here did not know that he had given up his life in the great
drive that ended the war.
TURNER, ELIZABETH W./Source: Alton Telegraph, May 21, 1847
Died at Monticello [Godfrey] on the 17th inst., Miss
Elizabeth W. Turner, daughter of Timothy Turner, Esq., aged 30
years. The deceased was for a while teacher of music in the
Monticello Female Seminary. She also taught a music class in
Springfield, and one in St. Louis. She early sought and found
the Saviour. During her protracted sickness, she suffered
patiently and enjoyed great peace of mind. For nine months she
was wasting away with consumption, but her spirit seemed to be
ripening for heaven. The experience of the Apostle Paul was
hers, "though the outward will perish, yet the inward men is
renewed day by day." It was about noon when her friends gathered
around her and saw increasing evidence that death was by her
side. She also gave consisting evidence that her Saviour was
there to take from death its sting, and from the grave its
victory; she raised her eyes and hands and said, "I'm going, I'm
going." But it was a peaceful departure, for she added
repeatedly, "I'm happy - happy - happy." With this word upon her
lips, she fell asleep in Christ. Her last days were her best
days.
TURNER, JABEZ/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 18, 1846
Revolutionary Patriot Gone to His Rest
Died on
Saturday morning, 12th inst., at Monticello [Godfrey], at the
residence of his son, Timothy Turner, Esq., Mr. Jabez Turner, at
the advanced age of nearly 91 years. Mr. Turner was born on the
31st of January, 1756, at New Haven, Connecticut, where he
resided the first 40 years of his life. After that he lived 40
years in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, 4 years at Kinderhook,
New York, and for the last 7 years at Monticello in Illinois. He
was one of the first who enlisted in the War of the Revolution.
He entered the army in 1775, and continued with it till
independence was established. He participated largely in the
stirring scenes of that great event. In the battles of New
Haven, Danbury, the taking of Fort St. John, and the capture of
Burgoyne, he bore an honorable part. To those events, and the
part he took in them, he would sometimes recur with a glow of
enthusiasm, and a manifestation of those patriotic feelings
which characterized that rare of brave men who parted their
lives in the cause of their country and of human liberty.
But though in this great struggle he acted well his part, he
gloried not in this. He ever felt that our victories were to be
ascribed to something more than human prowess. He gave the glory
where it belonged - to the God of Hosts. Mr. Turner was engaged
most of his long life in another and more eventful struggle -
the consequences of which appeared to him, while on earth, and
no doubt appear to him now of vastly more importance than that
to which he devoted his youthful years - it was a struggle for
the freedom of the soul. In this also he came off victorious.
But neither in this did he glory in the power of his own arm. He
was ever ready to say, "God forbid that I should glory save in
the cross of Jesus Christ, by which I am crucified to the world,
and the world is crucified to me." For more than 60 years he has
been a soldier of the cross - a humble and consistent follower
of Jesus Christ - the great Captain of salvation. During this
long period he fought the good fight. He has now finished his
course and received from his sovereign an honorable and peaceful
discharge. His end was peace. He has now gone to receive that
imperishable and unfading crown which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, had laid up for him - and not for him only, but for all
who love His appearing.
NOTES:
Jabez Turner was born
January 31, 1756 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. His parents were
Abraham and Rebecca Turner, and he was the eldest of 11
children. Turner enlisted in the army in 1775, and served as
Lieutenant during the American Revolutionary War. He married
Rebecca Wolcott on October 29, 1778 at the Second Church of
Christ, New Haven, Connecticut. Seven children were born to this
union.
In 1795 the family moved to Great Barrington,
Massachusetts. In about 1838, Jabez and Rebecca moved to Godfrey
to live with their son, Timothy. Living in the home were 10
students who attended Monticello Seminary. Timothy was the
Postmaster of Godfrey. Jabez was one of the original founders of
the Community Congregational Church and the Godfrey Cemetery.
In the year 2000, the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the
Sons of the American Revolution honored Jabez Turner at his
grave site in the Godfrey Cemetery on Godfrey Road, with a gun
salute, the playing of taps, and placing a wreath and plaque on
his grave.
TURNER, NETTIE (nee HAIGHT)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 13, 1919
A message came this morning to R. A. Haight,
telling of the death at Payette, Idaho of his only daughter,
Mrs. Nettie Haight Turner, wife of John E. Turner, former
principal of Alton High School. Mrs. Turner's mother, Mrs.
Haight, was with her the last ten days of her life, having
departed for Payette when informed that the condition of her
daughter was very serious. Mrs. Turner was taken sick about two
weeks before last Christmas. She had been very deeply interested
in Red Cross work during the war, and her husband being food
administrator, she had given him much assistance in performing
his duties. The overstrain caused a complete break down and it
was thought rest would bring her out all right again.
Complications set in, and a form of blood poisoning proved
fatal. Mrs. Turner was born in Alton and would have been 43
years of age next September 10. She leaves beside her husband,
three children: Edward Louis, aged 18; Dorothy May, aged 16; and
John, aged 11. She leaves also her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. A.
Haight of Alton; and two brothers, Edward A. Haight, who is at
Pasadena, Cal., recuperating from a breakdown; and Louis Haight,
coach of the basketball team of the Theodore Roosevelt High
School at Alton. He was at Champaign today when the message came
telling him of his sister's death. Mrs. Turner was married in
Alton June 23, 1898. She was a graduate of Alton High School,
finishing in the class of 1894. She was a woman of a bright,
happy disposition, and was loved by all who knew her. Her death
is a sad blow to her parents, though they had reason for fearing
that she might not recover. The telegram said that burial would
be at Payette, Saturday morning. Mr. Haight said that owing to
the distance intervening, it would be impossible for any members
of the family not there to be at the funeral. It would require a
1,500 mile journey for her brother, Edward, to go to Payette,
and much longer for anyone going from here.
TURNER, ROSE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 31, 1910
Struck By Wabash Train
Mrs. Rose Turner, wife of Albert Turner, living near Duck
lake, was struck by a Wabash train this morning about 10 o'clock
and instantly killed. The woman has a husband and two children,
and she was carrying a basket containing some groceries for the
home folks. She is said to have been hard of hearing. People who
witnessed the tragedy say she stepped on the track in front of
the approaching train. Her body was horribly mangled. Coroner
Streeper took charge of it. She has relatives in Missouri.
TURNER, RUFUS G./Source: Alton Telegraph, July 1, 1843
Died, at Monticello [Godfrey], on Saturday, June 24th, of
congestive fever, in the 36th year of his age, Mr. Rufus G.
Turner, oldest son of Mr. Timothy Turner. His sickness was only
of about one week continuance, and his case not deemed serious
till about two days before his death. He has left a bereaved and
deeply afflicted wife and one child of four years, and a
numerous circle of relations and friends to mourn his loss. He
had been a professor of the Christian religion for six or seven
years, and a consistent and beloved member of the church to
which he was attached. It is therefore, in his life of faith in
the Son of God, and not in his death which was clouded by menial
abbreviation from the time his case became alarming, that his
sorrowing friends find that consolation which sustains them
under this grievous affliction. "And I heard a voice from
heaven, saying unto me, "Write, Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they
may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
TURNER, UNKNOWN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 5, 1899
The funeral of Mrs. Turner was held at 2 o'clock this
afternoon from the Congregational Church at Godfrey. Rev.
Fairbanks officiated. The funeral was a large one, and there was
a large number of old friends of Mrs. Turner in attendance.
Interment was at Godfrey, beside her husband who was buried one
week ago.
TURNER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF DWIGHT/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, August 7, 1901
The remains of Mrs. Dwight
Turner were brought from St. Louis Saturday noon for burial in
Godfrey cemetery.
TURNER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF TIMOTHY/Source: Alton Telegraph, January
6, 1871 (review of 1870)
On January 20, 1870, Mrs.
Timothy Turner of Godfrey died, aged 69 years.
TURNER, WILLIAM ALEXANDER/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 27,
1842
Died, at Monticello [Godfrey], on the 22d inst., of
inflammation of the brain, William Alexander, youngest son of
Mr. Rufus G. and Mrs. Mary A. Turner, aged 7 months.
TURPENING, A. H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 29,
1906
A. H. Turpening, of 1702 Hill street, Riverview
addition, died at 11:30 o'clock this morning after a long
illness with dropsy. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. He leaves
his wife and five children. The funeral will be held at 2
o'clock Thursday at East Alton.
TURREFF, ELLA CAROLINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March
11, 1918
The funeral of Mrs. Ella Caroline Turreff, wife
of John C. Turreff, was held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Carl F. Yeakel, on Langdon
street. The body arrived Sunday morning from Long Beach, Cal.,
where death occurred, and was accompanied by Mr. and Mrs.
Stanley J. Turrell of New York City, who were with Mrs. Turreff
when she died. Services at the house this afternoon were
conducted by Rev. Frederick D. Butler, pastor of the St. Paul's
Episcopal Church, and were attended by a large number of friends
and relatives of the deceased. The pallbearers were neighbors of
the Yeakel family, and included Fred Lehne, H. Wm. Bauer, D. E.
McFadden, Michael McDowell, William Jenkins and William Gissal.
The body was entombed in the mausoleum, services being conducted
by members of the Eastern Star Lodge. Mrs. Turreff was a member
of the organization.
TUSCHER, BENJAMIN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 12,
1921
Benjamin Tuscher, an aged resident of Alton, died
Sunday morning at his home, 914 Riley avenue, thirty-four
minutes after he had completed his 82nd year. Saturday was his
birthday and his death occurred at 34 minutes past midnight,
Sunday morning. He had been in bad health for over a year due to
weakness of old age. Mr. Tuscher was a man of remarkable
strength of character. Though he had lived to such a great age,
he had never ceased to be the head of his family in every
respect and his opinions and his will were given the utmost
respect by his large family of children, all of them grown to
manhood and womanhood. He was a man who was highly respected by
all who knew him both in Alton where he had lived the past
twelve years, and in the vicinity of Dorsey where he lived many
years and was engaged in the occupation of farming. He was born
in Language, Switzerland, and came to this country when 15 years
old. He followed farming most of his life until his age made it
necessary for him to retire. He came to Alton then to pass the
remainder of his days. He is survived by his wife, Sophie, to
whom he was married July 1, 1867. Her maiden name was Schmidt.
The father leaves beside his wife, eight children, Misses Ida,
Emma and Bertha Tuscher, Mrs. Anna Furlweigler, of Staunton,
Ill., Mrs. Helen Duis of St. Louis, and John of Dorchester,
Benjamin Jr. of East Alton, and Joseph of St. Louis. He leaves
also six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral
will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning from the Evangelical
church at Eighth and Henry streets, and burial will be in
Oakwood cemetery. He leaves also four brothers: Jacob of Alton,
Sam of East Alton, John of Chicago, and Fred of Springfield. He
leaves a sister, Mrs. Mary Black of Upper Alton.
TUTHILL, UNKNOWN MOTHER OF GEORGE W./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, July 28, 1905
George W. Tuthill of Sweet
Spring, Missouri left today at noon for Springfield, Illinois. Mr.
Tuthill is a native of Alton and lived here until manhood. He
learned the printer's trade, which he has followed during his
life. He met here a number of his old friends, who were
delighted to see him, and he found his visit to his old home,
the first in nearly forty years, a very pleasant one, although
the great majority of his former acquaintances are numbered with
the majority in the silent city over on the brow of our .....
Mr. Tuthill came to Alton expressly to visit the grave of his
mother, who died here in 1865. He had been here seldom since
then, and it was necessary for him to make a long search through
the cemetery records before he could find the grave. He went out
to the resting place of his mother in City Cemetery Thursday
afternoon.
TUTTLE, DAVID B./Source: Alton Telegraph, August 30,
1845
Died in Upper Alton, on the 21st instant, after a
short illness, Mr. David B. Tuttle, aged about 35, leaving a
widow, several children, and a large number of friends and
acquaintances to mourn his loss. The deceased was a native of
Connecticut, but had resided about seven years in this county,
and was universally esteemed as a worthy man and good citizen.
TWEEDY, JESSIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 22, 1915
After an illness of fifteen hours, Mrs. Jessie Tweedy died
at her home on State street at 5:30 o'clock this morning, aged
32, leaving two small children. Mrs. Tweedy was the widow of A.
Tweedy. She came to Alton four years ago after the death of her
husband, and since that time has been assisting her mother, Mrs.
Mary Blay, to conduct a boarding house on State street.
Yesterday afternoon she was taken suddenly ill, and she died
this morning. She is survived by two sons, ten and eight years
of age, and one brother and one sister, William Frost and Mrs.
Minute ____, both of Sorento, Ill. The body will be shipped to
Worden, Ill on Saturday evening and the funeral will be held on
Sunday.
TWITCHELL, CHET/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 16,
1918
Death From Injuries Following Fight
Whether the injuries that caused the death of Chet Twitchell,
47, were suffered at the hands of Owen Mowrey or from a fall
after his fight with Mowrey will decide the question of holding
Mowrey to the grand jury on a charge of manslaughter. The
coroner's jury will hold an inquest this evening to pass upon
the case. Twitchell died at St. Joseph's Hospital at 1 o'clock
this morning. He died from injuries he received a few days ago.
He suffered an injury at the base of the skull. Twitchell,
according to the story told by Mowrey, challenged him to a fight
after an argument in the Meyers' saloon. Meyers said this
morning that the fight did not occur in his saloon, but in the
street in front of the saloon. Mowrey's story was that he beat
Twitchell, and while the latter was going home after the fight,
he fell and received the fatal injury. A daughter of Twitchell
secured the arrest of Mowrey, and he has been held without bond.
The daughter claims that the death of Twitchell was due directly
to the beating he received. Twitchell is survived by his wife,
Margaret, three daughters, and two sons. The family have been
living at 1017 East Fourth street. The body will be shipped
Saturday evening to the old home at Monterey, Ill. The funeral
will be held there on Sunday afternoon. Mowrey is a blacksmith
employed at the Federal Lead Plant. He is married. The inquest
which is to be conducted this evening will probably attract more
attention than any inquest held for some time. Deputy Coroner
William P. Bauer has secured the names of ten witnesses to the
fight. They will all be present this evening. Mrs. Mowrey
appeared this afternoon with names of a number of character
witnesses. Some of these will be at the inquest this evening.
TWOGOOD, NANCY/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 14, 1839
Died, at Upper Alton, on the night of the 2d inst., Mrs.
Nancy Twogood, wife of Mr. Daniel H. Twogood of New Orleans,
late of the city of New York, aged 41 years. The deceased was
one of those whose place cannot be filled in the circle of her
friends and acquaintances. Always mild and affectionate to those
with whom she had intercourse, and most decidedly attached to
her husband and infant children. Peace to her ashes, and
consolation to her connections and friends, is the prayer of her
friend.