Printed in the May 30, 1895 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

OBITUARY. HERMAN, May 27, 1895

TO THE BLAIR PILOT:--In memory of Ivey M. Hight Byres, who departed this life at her home near Vacoma, Saturday morning May 25, with quick consumption. She leaves a husband and two small children to mourn her death and many sorrowing friends.

She was born at Utica, Lasalle county, Illinois, July 1872, making her 23 years old. She came west about three years ago from Rutland, Ill, and made here home with Mr. and Mrs. Fillmore Dorsey until Oct. 8, 1893, and at that time was married to Jacob Byers, of Vacoma.

The funeral services were held at the Baptist church at Herman, Sunday, May 26, at 11 A.M. by Elder McFarland. Her remains were buried in the Herman cemetery.

The writer of this article can say that Ivey was a good and kind woman. Although her married life was short she made Mr. Byres a good and faithful wife. Her last moments on earth were those of peace. She looked her husband in the face and smiled and then closed her eyes in death. She has crossed the dark and foaming river and is now safe on the other side.

Written by her friend F.D.

Note: Printed in the July 11, 2016 Washington County Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise, Blair, Nebraska

Vacoma was described as a “prosperous and lively little village” in a newspaper article in 1894.

Vacoma, in northwestern Washington County, had no more than 100 residents. It also had a store, a post office, church, school, blacksmith shop, broom factory and nearby orchards.

But by the turn of the century, the town of Vacoma was gone.

~~~ Obituary and note courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find A Grave Memorial #99086278