JAMES W. WELCH DIES SUDDENLY LAST FRIDAY

Former Silex Index Editor Passes Away at Home of Daughter in Bowling Green

James William WELCH, aged 72 years, former editor of the Silex Index and for many years one of the prominent business men of Silex, died of a heart attack at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Orf, in Bowling Green, Friday morning, where he was a guest.

He was seated at the breakfast table when death came.

Mr. WELCH, who was born on January 24, 1866, the son of Richard H. and Frances CARVER WELCH, has spent most of his life in Lincoln County, and for the past 34 years has been continuously a resident of the Silex community.

His childhood was spent in Troy, where at the age of 16 he became an apprentice printer. Ten years later, in 1892, he came to Silex in the employ of John F. MERIWETHER to print the first edition of the "Silex Siftings", which later became known as the Silex Index.

He remained in the employ of Mr. MERIWETHER only a short time and for several years he was employed on newspapers in different points.

In short the ye [sic] of 1904 he returned to Silex to act as editor of the Index for a company of the business men of the town who had recently purchased the plant for S. HOWARD LEECH, one of the several editors, who had followed Mr. MERIWETHER.

Within a short time, Mr. WELCH purchased the Index plant and had published the paper since that time, with the exception of about two years, until failing eyesight necessitated his relinquishing his editorship and ownership in February of this year.

On September 11, 1905, he was married to Miss Martha Francis COX, of Silex, who preceded him in death in 1918. To this union were born three children --Ralph Eugene, of Silex: Vera Ruth, now Mrs. Roy ORF, of Bowling Green, and James William, Jr., of Ashley.

On January 12, 1929, he married Miss Ellen REID, of Eolia.

Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his passing, three grandchildren, Bobby, Jimmy and Wanda WELCH, of Silex; two sisters, Mrs. Georgia E. REYNOLDS, of Whiteside, and Miss Ida WELCH of Long Beach, CAL., and one brother, Harry L. WELCH, of Troy.

Funeral services were conducted at the Silex Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon, by Rev. J. R. BENIKA. The interment was made in the Troy city cemetery.