(transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)

Copyright © 2003 by Pat O'Dell: This data may be used for your own family research; it may not be copied in any form or used for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise).

Miss Nancy Farmer was born in Kentucky Dec 22, 1834 and died in Hamburg, Iowa, Oct 31, 1914. When four years old her parents took her to Platte county, Missouri, and in 1850 brought her to Fremont county, Iowa. At the age of seventeen she was united in marriage with Dr Dewey who died in 1861. She remained a widow ten years and June 21, 1871 was married to Henry F. Brumback who survives her. One child was born to them, Martha, who died some years ago.

Immediately after their marriage Mr and Mrs Brumback took up their residence in Hamburg in the house where they have lived continuously with the exception of one year. It will be seen by these facts that Mrs Brumback was one of the old residents of this city and in her passing one of the landmarks has been removed. She was a faithful and devout member of the Baptist church for more than forty years, most of which time she was able to serve in her quiet and unostentatious way the Lord whom she loved. In her home she was the cheerful and loving helpmate to her devoted husband. In her community she was the helpful friend.

The funeral services were held in the Baptist church. The sermon was delivered by the pastor. A host of friends came to pay their tribute of loving respect to her whom they revered in life.

Last Friday the golden wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs Daniel McCray was celebrated at their home in Watson and some fifty-one guests were present

Preparations had been going on for days and early in the morning the guests commenced to arrive. Everyone was in a happy mood and Mr and Mrs McCray, in their well known hospitable way, made the guests feel at home. The dining room was prettily decorated. It was necessary to fill the table many times to serve all the people, but plenty had been provided. Many and costly were the presents which the worthy couple received.

Miss Bettie Cinnaird and Daniel McCray were united in the bonds of holy matrimony in Buchanan county, Missouri, fifty years ago, and to this union three children were born: Mrs L.H. Garst of Watson, Mrs Linnie Garst of Hamburg and Chas McCray of Frazier, Mo. The children and the grandchildren, seven in number, were all present. For thirty-four years the home was made in Buchanan county, where they followed farming. Sixteen years ago they moved to Atchison county where they lived on a farm until last spring when they moved to Watson to make their home and quietly enjoy a well earned rest from active labors. Mr and Mrs McCray are very highly respected and number their friends by their acquaintances. It is the wish of everyone that they may live to enjoy many another wedding anniversary.

John Gregg died at his home south of Riverton Friday after an illness of about two weeks. He was stricken with appoplexy on his way to town near the O'Neal place. Mr Gregg was an old pioneer of this county, and was 76 years of age. He engaged in school teaching and surveying in his younger days, and laid out the plot that now is his resting place, the Mt Zion cemetery. He was a much respected old gentleman, and the community in which he has lived so long will feel his loss keenly.

He leaves his companion, Mrs Gregg and three sons by his first marriage. They are Frank, Ed and Rev. Sydney Gregg, all of whom were present. The funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Mt Zion church.

I.B. Dinwiddie received a message Tuesday stating that his stepfather, W.R. Mitchell of Greenfield, Ia., had passed away early Tuesday morning, and he and his wife left for that place Wednesday morning.

Mr Mitchell was assisting the carpenters in shingling the house on last Friday and when well up on the ladder lost his balance and was hurled to the ground with considerable force, resulting in a fractured skull. He never regained consciousness though for a time faint hope was held out for his recovery

Mr and Mrs Robert Hilton of near Farragut were struck by train number 27 Tuesday morning about 10 o'clock just this side of Payne, and both were instantly killed, the machine being demolished.

They had started for Havelock, Neb., where they had planned to spend Thanksgiving with their daughter, Mrs Bob Stabler. Just before reaching the crossing they had some trouble with the car, and Mr Hilton spent some little time trying to discover the cause. The crossing is a bad one, from the fact that the rails are somewhat higher than the road, and between the main line and siding there is a deep ditch. It is thought that in trying to get across without bumping he "killed" his engine, and did not notice the approach of the train until it was too late. Mr Hilton was evidently watching the train, which was switching in the Payne yards, as the passenger engine whistled twice. The engineer thought that they were trying to back off the track, and when he saw that they could not make it, could not stop his train in time.

The bodies were taken in charge by Charles Medford, and they arrived in Hamburg about three o'clock in the afternoon, and were prepared for burial and then taken by auto to Farragut.

The fore part of the machine was hit and the auto was turned over a time or two, being thrown about a rod. Mr Hilton's head was crushed back of the ear and two gashes were cut on the forehead. It is thought the enigine hit him. Mrs Hilton was also crushed about the head where she hit the rails. Other than their heads the bodies were in good condition. Two wheels and the tail light were carried by the train for a hundred yards. They had taken considerable canned goods, jellies and jams, with them, and this was scattered along the right of way, but little of it being damaged.

The Hiltons are highly respected citizens and have lived in this county from thirty-five to forty years. Mr Hilton was 70 years old, while his wife was 64. They leave two daughter: Mrs Bob Stabler of Havelock, Neb., Mrs John Hemphill of near Farragut, and one son, Will of near Farragut. Mrs Hilton has one brother, W.S. Lyle of Farragut, and Mr Hilton was a sister in Ohio.

This is the second fatal crossing accident to a Farragut family in recent years, Henry Fiel and Miss Clara Coy having been killed by a train. Miss Marie Hammond and Miss Olga Reams were severely injured in the wreck near Phelps, but recovered.

The little eight weeks old son of Mr and Mrs J.R. Foxal passed away Monday night, the cause of death being whooping cough and pneumonia.

The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev A.A. Walburn and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery. The family have the sympathy of the entire community in their hour of trial.