Word was received here Friday morning of the death of Sam Wright over at Kennard. He had been suffering for over a year with cancer of the stomach and made a heroic struggle against it but about a month ago he suffered a relapse from which he could not rally. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. Charles from the Methodist Church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and was under M. W. A. and W. O. W. auspices. He was born in Virginia, February 22, 1850, and has lived in this state since 1871. For many years he farmed near Kennard but about 7 years ago he sold out and went on the road organizing W. O. W. lodges at which he was very successful. He leaves a wife, who is a sister to Mrs. J. W. Henderson, of this city, and seven children, who will appreciate his forethought for them in carrying insurance to the amount of $6,000.

Pilot Dec. 30, 1901

After an illness that lasted over a year, S. M. Wright died at his home in Kennard, Friday morning at 2 o'clock. His trouble seemed to be in his stomach but its nature baffled medical skill. Last summer his condition was as serious as it could be and not be fatal but he rallied and has since been able to come to Blair, but about a month ago he suffered a relapse, from which he could not rally. He was born in Virginia, February 22, 1850, but has lived in Nebraska since 1871. Several years ago he joined the W. O. W. lodge and went on the road organizing and probably wrote more applications than any other field agent in the state. He stood high among the officials of the lodge and received many letters from them which were complimentary in the extreme. He leaves a widow and a large family of children to mourn his early demise and to them he was always attentive and his last work on earth was to bring his family closer to the religion which he embraced. Whatever else may be said of Mr. Wright, he was a kind and devoted husband and father and his highest aim was to provide for the comfort and happiness of his family which he did in life by a lavish expenditure of money and in death by several good life insurance policies. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon and was charge of the M. W. A. and W. O. W. lodges.

(This was from a scrapbook of Sam's daughter, Myrtle Wright Nelsen)

Kennard In Deep Sorrow

Never in the history of our beautiful little city has the Grim Messenger of Death cast such a gloom of sadness as that which spread over it the first three days of the week. Sunday a funeral, Monday a funeral, Tuesday a funeral. Three of our much loved and highly respected citizens are now sleeping in the cold dreary grave to await the resurrection morn.

SAMUEL M. WRIGHT

Sunday. at 2:00 p.m. occurred the funeral of Samuel M. Wright. Services were held at the Metropolitan Hall, the church being too small to accommodate the vast throng of people. Long before the hour of exercises to begin the hall was well filled, and after the members of the M. W. A. and W. O. W. had taken their seats, it was packed to overflowing. Rev. J. Charles of the M. E. Church, preached an eloquent sermon that touched many a heart. At the conclusion of the exercise the remains were followed to the cemetery headed by the Forester team followed by the members of both orders and friends and relatives in carriages and on foot. The deceased was a good man to his family and worked hard that they might not want for anything. He carried $3,000. in the M. W. A. and $2,000. in the W. O. W., thus leaving his family in very comfortable circumstances. The Enterprise extends to the sorrowing family its sincere sympathy in the loss of a kind and devoted husband and father.

Samuel M. Wright was born in Washington County, VA., on February 28, 1850. Came to Nebraska in March 1872 to Washington county where he has since resided. He was married to Ida M. Pritchard Oct. 1874. Was a member of the M. W. A. for 11 years and the W. O. W. for 9 years. He professed his religion, was baptized and united with the M. E. church of Kennard April 28, 1901. After a lingering illness of nearly 14 months he died at his home in Kennard, Friday morning, Dec. 27, 1901. He leaves a wife, 8 children, 1 sister and six brothers.

Note: There were two other children: Mary Elizabeth b&d 18 June 1876 and Frank Albert b&d 28 Oct 1877

Note: Buried in Blk 2 Lt 42 Sp 4