Published in the Pilot March 3, 1926

Mrs. Sylvester Brill passed away Sunday from a heart trouble she has been afflicted with for some time. The funeral was held at the Methodist Church at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. O. U. McProud officiating. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery. Melissa James, daughter of John and Mary James, was born in Terre Haute, Ind., July 25th 1861, and moved with her parents to Illinois at the age of 12 years. She was married there to Sylvester Brill March 14, 1880, and they came to this city in 1884, making their home in and near Blair ever since. She united with the Christian Church at Urbana, Ill., at the age of 18 and has always lived a consistent Christian life. She was 64 years, 7 months and 3 days old at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, four brothers, Dr. J. M. James, of Henning, Ill., A. R. James, of Henning, Ill., and Frank James, of Conway, Ark., C. A. James, Indianapolis, Indiana, one sister, Mrs. E. A. Winchester, of Willena, Ill., her sister and brother, A. R. were here to attend the funeral service. Mrs. Brill was a kind and loving wife and neighbor who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.