This post was contributed to the Crawford County Chapter of OGS by Kristina Stearley as part of the Florence Siefert Scrapbook in 2010.
The scrapbook is compiled from undated, unidentified newspaper clippings involving events in the lives of Crawford County citizens living in or having connections to New Washington, Tiro, Shelby, Sulphur Springs, Chatfield, Bucyrus, Ashland, Mansfield, and other areas. Only minimal spelling or punctuation corrections were made. Unreadable areas are shown by underlines, dots &/or question marks. This collection has been scanned, “optical character recognized” (OCR’d), proofed, then coded for HTML by volunteers of the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Since the copies are not of the best quality errors may have been made. Please contact us if you find corrections needing to be made or can verify any missing dates which could be added.
HELLEM
Amos Wilson, born May 3, 1887, died December 19, 1887 aged 20 yrs. 7 mo 16 da.
It was a source of profound sorrow to everybody in this and surrounding community to learn that death had robbed society of one of the most esteemed and prominent young men, in the person of Amos Hellem son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hellem of this place.
A little over two weeks ago, Mr. Hellem was engaged in transacting the daily affairs of his occupation (Telegraphy), in appearance was the very picture of health and one would think the last one upon whom the icy hand of Death would lay claim. Notwithstanding all this he was seized by a violent attack of Typhoid fever in its most malignant form over which medical skill had no power, and to which, after a struggle of less than a week, the young ____ Mr Hellem became a victim. Scarcely had we learned of his illness until his spirit took its departure for the spirit world, leaving but the lifeless form of one who was cherished by his parents, loved by his sisters, respected by society honored by those who associated with him in his vocation during life. So sudden and unexpected came the news of his death that it seemed almost increditable but they were stern facts, which converted a house of joy and happiness to one of mourning and grief and caused the community to burst forth in sympathy for the bereaved family.
The funeral services which were held Wednesday were conducted from the M. E. church by Rev. Roxraw assisted by Revs Knox of Tiro, and Williams of this place. The Public sympathy and esteem in which he was held by the public was manifested. As the procession left for the church a striking spectacle was presented. Graced by twelve appropriately attired pall bearers, six of who in were fellow operators of the deceased and who, through the instrumentality of our gentlemanly agent W. A. Rowley, were assigned the parts they have taken in the obsequies. The remaining six being young men of this place. Other operators were present among whom were C. M. Jackson chief operator of this division and Henry Uhley Ass’t Sup’t of the same line. Not only did the operators show their respect for the deceased by their presence but by presenting a handsome floral tribute which adorned the casket at the church and which consisted of rarest flowers, lilies, roses, geraniums, &c with a card attached bearing the following inscription: (here the clipping becomes very faded)
The design of the floral tribute was extremely beautiful and significant. Upon a pillow, which is significant of rest. there rested a Stilus (pencil) emblematic of the operator’s profession which was the deceased’s vocation encircled by a sickle, indicative of a reaper. Hence the significantion: “The Reaper whose name is Death” has laid our brother at rest.
Public schools of which the deceased was recently a member were no less sympathetic. The Superintendent, teachers and pupils of the Grammar and High Schools attended the funeral services in a body. At the services all were offered an opportunity to take a last view of the lifeless form which but a short time ago was seen mingling with society.
The procession was again formed and moved toward the Union cemetery where all that was mortal of Amos Hellem was laid to rest to await the final resurrection of mankind leaving father, mother, sisters, and a host of sympathizing friends and relatives to mourn his departure.
Mr. Hellem was an accomplished operator as the respect shown by his fellow operators will prove. He had just accepted a position in an office in Allegheny city, Pa, and while waiting for the arrival of a pass to that place was stricken down and passed, not over the Pennsylvania Lines to Allegheny city, but over the river of Death to that place where none return, “He who doeth all things well” thought it best to remove Amos, though we fail to see why a man should be removed just as he was entering upon life’s duties.
The following poetry by “Cyril Dean” was written in honor of the deceased:
Gone to the grave as Manhood’s fair dawning
Was gilding the vault of Time’s relucent skies
Unheard to Heaven where the spirit Immortal
In that soul’s Elysium through time never dies
Gone through the way where Death’s angel hovers,
To guard the dread passage that mortals ne’er tread
Till life’s sun is set and their spirits are wafted
Through the dlsmal shadows that throng ’bout the Dead.
Gone to that home where loved ones may meet him
When they too have wended the aisles of the tomb,
And passed from this vale where Death’s ever reigning
To that where souls to Immortal Life bloom.
For Death’s but a gate on the highway to Heaven
By which our lives’ pathways are over-spanned
Which must open to all ‘ere we taste the sweet bliss
That Hallows the soul in the No-death Land.
The following explains itself:
Dec 21, 1887
At a call meeting of the telegraph operators of Toledo Division Penna R. R. Co. this date the following preamble and resolution were adopted unamiously.
Whereas It has pleased the Great Chief of the universe to remove from our midst one late brother A. W. Hellem and
Whereas It is but just that a fitting recognition of his ability as an operator and many virtues should be had, there fore be it.
Resolved By the operators of this Division that, while we bow with submission to the will of God, we do not the less mourn for our brother who has been taken from us.
Resolved That in the death of A. W. Hellem this Division laments the loss of a brother who was in every way, an ornament to the profession.
Resolved That in view of the loss we have sustained and the still greater loss by those who were nearest and dearest to him we sincerely console with the family of the deceased and commend them for consolation to Him who orders all things for the best.
Resolved That this most heartfelt testimony of our sympathy and sorrow be forwarded to the family of our departed brother. Also a copy be given to the New Washington HERALD for publication.
COMMITTEE — C. M. JOAKSON, Div. Chf.
J. E. SIEFERT
O. M. FISHER
C. W. McKEE
T. F. WEST
H. FOX
A. R. BAUM
W. A. ROWLEY
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