About a week ago Harry Cook was taken to his bed by a sore place on his left shoulder blade that developed into a carbuncle. On Monday evening Dr. Jones, of Omaha, aided by several Blair physicians performed a delicate surgical operation by removing the same. Harry seemed to improve for awhile but blood poisoning set in and on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock he succumbed to the dead destroyer. Sorrow seems strangely mixed with joy for all of us, and this is true sorrow when a young man thus passes in less than a week. He was born at Adma, Neb., April 20, 1869, and was 27 years, 6 months and 15 days old. In 1870 the family moved to Blair where they have since lived. Since March ’91 he has been an efficient employee of the C. St. P.M. & O. and was deservedly popular. He was also first cornetist in the Blair orchestra. The funeral services were held this (Friday) afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity of which he was a member. Deceased leaves a father and mother, one brother and two sisters with many relatives and friends to sorrow in his absence.

2) 5 Nov., 1896 - The Pilot - Harry Cook

Harry Cook has been in rather a critical condition during the past week and at times, it has been thought he could not recover. His first symptom was a sore place near the shoulder blade, which seemed to spread and grow worse until it was feared that blood poisoning would set in and Monday evening this week, Dr. Jonas came up from Omaha, and assisted by several Blair doctors performed a surgical operation, removing the diseased flesh, and from that time it is thought that Harry's condition has somewhat improved and while he is yet weak and is considered a pretty sick man, yet his chances for recovery seem very good at this time. His many friends in Blair, who have been watching eagerly the progress of his case, most sincerely hope that he may speedily recover and once more be able to attend his regular duties on the road.

LATER.--As we go to press this afternoon we learn of the sad death of Harry. After a brief illness of less than a week blood poisoning set in with the above fatal results.

Harry was born at Admah, Nebr., April 20, 1896, and was 27 years, 6 mos. and 15 days old. In 1870 the family moved to Blair where they have since resided. In March, 1891, deceased was appointed to a position on the C., St. P., M. & O. and was one of the most efficient and popular boys along the line. At the time of his death he was a member of the Blair orchestra, playing first cornet.

The funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 P. M. at the Methodist church, under the directions of the Masonic order of which he was a member. Deceased leaves a father, mother, one brother and two sisters as the immediate members of the family, and many friends and neighbors to mourn his seemingly untimely death. In this hour of sad affliction we would call to mind the fact that the departed one was one of our best boys and no better recommendation could have been given anyone than that for so many years did he hold the one position with the same company. A consolation with this is, that one more tender tie draws them to the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 114281104