The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison was held Monday, both victims of influenza-pneumonia. Three little ones are left orphans and the heartfelt sympathy of all is extended to the parents and the babies.

The first double death to occur in this vicinity occurred at the Harrison home last Friday night and Saturday morning. George passed away at 10:30 Friday night and just 12 hours later his wife died, at 10:30 Saturday morning. After George’s death a baby boy born to Mrs. Harrison that is still living and it seems to be as well as any child. The shock was too much for the mother in her weakened condition. Their little daughter, Frances, aged 5, was the first to be taken down with influenza on Tuesday, George came down Wednesday and Russell, aged 8, Friday morning, Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Harrison that evening. George’s sister, Ada, who is taking training for a professional nurse at the Ford hospital in Omaha, was sent for Thursday and every care was given the sick family. George was bad right from the state, but his wife would likely have recovered had not her time for delivery been so near.

A double funeral was held at the home of George’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Harrison, who lives on the high road to Omaha, at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, Rev. A. E. Marsh officiating. The day was so cold and stormy the funeral party gathered in the house and the two caskets were place outside on the veranda. It was one of the saddest group of mourners, probably, that has ever gathered in this county, for it included two bereaved families, and the death of a young couple leaving two small children and a new born babe is as sad as it is unusual. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Harrison will take the children. Russell, aged 8, Frances, aged 5 and the baby, George William, named by its mother for its father and grandfather before her death.

George Fielding Harrison was born in this city in the second house east of the post office while Mr. Harrison was running the barn on the corner where the post office now stands. He was born January 1st, 1888 and was therefore not quite 31 years of age at the time of his death. He was reared here and was married to Miss Lottie Ruth Haynes by Judge Marshall at the court house just twelve years ago this Christmas. They lived out at Havelock for a time, also at Missouri valley and in Blair, moving out onto a farm George’s father bought near his old farm, some four years ago. Besides his three children he leaves his father and mother and one sister, Ada.

Lottie Ruth Haynes was born in Weimerville, where her parents still live, Nov. 25, 1886. Besides the three children she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mr. Chas. Haynes, two brothers, Ray, who lost his wife with influenza only a few weeks ago, and Verner, and four sisters, Mrs. John Aye, of this city, Mrs. Wilbur Noyes, of Havelock, Mrs. W. L. Krammer, of Omaha and Hazel, who lives at home. The bereaved families have the deepest sympathy of all who know them.

2) Printed in the December 26, 1918 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Among the saddest deaths from the ravages of the “flu” in this vicinity was the death of George Harrison and his wife, the former passing away at 10:30 last Friday night and the Angel of Death claiming his wife Lottie at 10:30 Saturday morning—just twelve hours later. A baby boy born to Mrs. Harrison a four hours after the death of its father, is still alive and doing well. The double funeral was held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Harrison, parents of George, on Monday afternoon, with Rev. Marsh in charge, and as the cortege wended its way to the cemetery with two hearses at its head it was indeed a sympathetic spectacle. Three small children are left parentless, but they will be kindly cared for by the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Harrison, and will be given every care in a comfortable farm home. George Findley Harrison was born in this city January 1, 1888, and grew up among us, marrying Lottie Haynes December 24th, 1896, afterwards making his home at Havelock and Mo. Valley, and later moving to a farm sough of Blair. Besides his children he leaves his parents and one sister, Ada. Lottie Ruth Haynes was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haynes and was born just east of Blair on November 25, 1886. Her parents are still living and aside from her three little children she leaves two brothers, Ray and Verner, and four sisters, Mrs. J.R. Aye of Blair, Mrs. Wilbur Noyes of Havelock, Mrs. W.L. Kramer of Omaha, and Hazel who resides with her parents. There is not a heart in the community that doesn’t beat in sympathy for the bereaved relatives of these two young folks who were removed from our midst with such suddenness, and The Tribune wishes to convey to the relatives this slight comfort in their hour of sorrow.

Note: the tombstone has her birth date as November 26, not November 25.

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

FindaGrave # 115057928