(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).

Word was received here Monday evening of the death of Taylor McCracken at his home in Tabor that day. Mr McCracken lived for many years near Hamburg, and was a christian man of the highest type. For several years past he has made his home in Tabor.

Taylor was born in Indiana January 15, 1850, and was married to Miss Alice Shirley in October, 1874. The funeral services were held in Tabor Wednesday and interment was made in a cemetery near there. He leaves a wife and the following children: Orval of Montana, Mrs Mabel Drew, Presser, Wash., Lid, Imogene, Mrs Leta Ruse and Mrs Edith Ruse of Tabor. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs F.A. Jones of Hamburg, J.W., Omaha, W.R. of Basin, Wyo., and Mrs Winnie Wright of Seattle.

On Sunday evening Mrs B.E. Givens passed from this life into the great beyond, following a short illness. Her death was like her life--quiet and peaceful. Mrs Givens was a loving wife, mother and neighbor and her good deeds will live long in the memory of those who knew her. She knew well the hardships of the pioneer but these experiences did not take the enjoyment of life from her in later years. A sterling christian woman, who put into practice the teachings of her Master, broad, big hearted and sincere in her views, a comfort and help to those in need and sorrow was Mrs Givens.

Charity Rebecca Patton was born in Williamson county, Tenn., February 25, 1843 and passed away at her home in Hamburg, Sunday April 4. At the age of five she moved, with her parents, to Missouri and at the age of fourteen or fifteen years joined the M.E. church south, of which she was a faithful member until her death. She was married to Benjamin Everett Givens in Howard county, Missouri, in 1870 and to this union four children were born, three having preceded her to the grave. For forty-one years Iowa has been her home, the past few years being spent in Hamburg. She is survived by a husband, one son, Moses Payne Givens, a brother, James Patton of Cairo, Ill., and two sisters, Mrs S.H. Payne of Nebraska City and Mrs Elizabeth Hern of Fayette, Mo. The funeral services were held at the late home on Tuesday afternoon conducted by Dr S.P. Cresap of Nebraska City, assisted by Rev H.G. Stewart and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery.

The case of William Otte, charged with criminal assault upon Mrs Ellen Foster, wife of John Foster, was on trail at Sidney last week. The parties lived north of Sidney, the Fosters occuping a part of the Otte farm.

The defendant has resided in Fremont county nearly fifty years, and is a man of wealth and prominence. The Fosters are also well known. The case aroused considerable interest and it was found necessary to subpoena thirty-five new talesmen in order that a jury for the trial might be secured.....

T.J. Blackburn, who has been confined to his home most of the winter with sickness, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs Harry Lohnman, in Omaha, where he had gone just a few days before. Several times during the winter he has been at the point of death, but owing to his strong consitution he warded off the Death Angel. Mr Blackburn followed farming for many years, taking up his residence in Hamburg in 1891. He served his country during the civil war, and enjoyed relating experiences of these days, but his stories were not all personal and he did not feature himself as the hero of the events.

Thomas Jefferson Blackburn was born in Brooklyn, Ill., February 12, 1841. He was married to Clara Bowman December 20, 1873, and to this union five girls were born, all surviving their father. He leaves wife and five daughter: Mesdames Clara Blunk of this place, Addie Crouse, Des Moines, Freda Lohnman and Libby Crane, Omaha, and Myrtle Madison, Colorado Springs. The funeral services were held from the late home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A.W. Tandy, and interment made in the Hamburg cemetery.

Word was received here Wednesday of the death of E. Hinkens in Chicago, where in company with his wife they went last week to make their home. A few weeks ago Mr Hinkins suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered.

Mr Hinkins was born in Cambricshire, England, and was 77 years of age. He came to this country in 1877 and was married to his present wife some thirty-two years ago. For twenty years Hamburg has been the home, he and his wife coming to Hamburg overland from New Mexico with a mule team. For years he was engaged in the different orchards about here following which he carried the mail for several years. Mr Hinkins was a kind old gentleman and numbered his friends by his acquaintances. He is survived by a wife and four step children.

Mrs Fannie E. Fletcher Pape was burned to death at her home in Omaha Saturday. She had been out in the yard raking and burning leaves when her clothing caught fire and before help could be summoned she was frightfully burned, death following on Sunday.

Mrs Pape was born and raised in Hamburg, having gone to Omaha some time ago with her parents, Mr and Mrs Jesse Fletcher. She was 17 years 6 months and 24 days of age. She leaves a husband, mother and several brothers and sisters. The funeral services were held at the grave Tuesday at noon, conducted by Rev. Theo J. Asmus.

Death has again invaded the home circle, removing an old pioneer of Hamburg, a loving wife, mother, and a woman of high ideals and christian character. While death came as a shock, yet it had been expected, and in the demise of Mrs W.H. Beach all Hamburg is in sorrow. Mrs Beach moved to Hamburg with her family in 1867, and this was the family home until some five years ago when, with her husband, they moved to St Louis, making their home with two daughters, of that place. Last June the children all gathered at St Louis for a reunion, and at that time it was though her life could not last long at best. This is the first death in the family in fifty-four years, a remarkable record in many ways.

Mrs Beach was born in Ontario, Canada, April 11, 1830, and died in St Louis Tuesday, April 20, having reached the advanced age of 85 years and 9 days. She was married to William H. Beach in Ogdensburg, NY June 11, 1847. To this union five children were born: Albert H. of Los Angeles, J.P. of Omaha, Mrs B.L. Slack, Mrs J.B. Christian of St Louis and Mrs C.W. Davey of this place. The remains arrived Thursday morning, and a short service was conducted at the home, and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery.

Miss Delia Mullison died last night at 2:30 o'clock in the city hospital [Shenandoah, Iowa] to which she was taken a week ago suffering with heart weakness. She was the oldest daughter of Reuben Mullison. Her mother died many years ago.

She was a nurse, not trained perhaps, but took it up for the love of it and was well esteemed for her efficiency and her tenderness. She has many friends in the city, indeed she made friends of all who knew her. She was the oldest of a family of four children. One brother Bert is in Washington and cannot come. Her sister, Mrs Elsie Lorimor of Hamburg has been with the sick girl for some weeks. Arthur resides in this city. Her age was 41 years, 11 months and 10 days.

Funeral was held Wednesday at 2:30 at the Methodist church. Service by Rev. F.W. Simpson -- Sentinel Post.

Miss Mullison was well known here and loved by all.

The Notson families of Hamburg and Mrs Esther Carson of Sidney all gathered at the R.P.S. Notson home Saturday to help him celebrate his 86th birthday. Mr Notson carries his age well and you would hardly guess him to be as old, in fact if it were not for his gray hairs and slightly slow step he would pass for a man in the prime of life. For a man who has stood the hardships of the pioneer life he is a remarkable man for his age.

Mr Notson came to Iowa when it was a territory, having crossed the river at Ft Madison in '49. For many years he has made his home about Hamburg and in an early day took a very active part in the affairs of the country, state and nation. Mr Notson keeps a close eye on events, even today, and many are the interesting stories he can tell of events while they were making history. He has in his possession an election ticket used in 1848, it being the first ticket voted by Uncle Samuel Jacobs.

April as a month has formed considerable of the history of the family and we here note a few events: On April 17, 1849 he crossed into Iowa and the same day joined the Sons of Temperance. He was made a Master Mason at Leon, Iowa, April 18, 1856. His daughter Effie was born April 29, 1876 while Louise was born April 2, 1878.