EDNA PHILLIPS

The funeral of Edna Phillips, whose death was briefly referred to last week, was held on Friday at 2 P.M. and was well attended by sympathizing friends. Rev. Sheppard was the officiating clergyman. Edna was about eighteen years of age, having been born in 1875, and her case was remarkable for the tenacity with which she held onto life long after she was given up to die. Two years ago last January she had a severe attack of the grippe, which later settled on her lungs and developed into consumption. For more than a year she has been helpless, requiring constant care and attention, and during most of that time her death has been considered at best, but a matter of short time, yet she lingered on a victim to the most intense suffering, but always cheerful, always hopeful, patient yet resigned to the inevitable. Though she knew she could not live, and though her suffering was more protracted and much more severe than usually falls to the lot of mortals, she was uncomplaining and displayed a most amiable disposition to last. Her mother has been her constant nurse and companion during all these weary months, and with the active assistance of many kind friends and neighbors her sorrow was relieved to the fullest possible extent. In fact everything that medical skill and loving hands could do has been done. But they could only smooth the dying pillow on which this poor child has lain for more than a year past. Fort it has been well known more than a year that Edna was dying, and as at frequent intervals death seemed to appear claiming his victim, people wondered how one so frail could rally and live on. The ministrations of friends has heightened her sick room and so far as possible made easier her trials - and trials of the family, but no power could stay the ravages of the destroyer, nor relieve her of untold physical agony she has endured with such patience and fortitude Death must have been a welcome relief to her. The sympathy of the public has been untaintedly bestowed upon this suffering girl throughout her protracted sickness, and it remains with the family in the deep afflictions that has fallen upon them.

#2 Thursday, May 12, 1892 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

Edna Phillips, the invalid daughter of Stephen Phillips, who has had such a long period of pain and suffering, being in the last stages of consumption, and at death’s door for nearly two years past, was finally relieved by death this morning. The funeral will be from the family residence at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

#3 Blair Courier, Blair Nebraska Saturday, May 21, 1892

The Republican last week done a great injustice to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Phillips, in speaking of the illness and death of their daughter, Edna, to say that “It was a sad case of poverty, and long, hopeless suffering.” True, Mr. Phillips is a poor man, but not a member of his family have ever suffered for any of the necessaries of life, and even luxuries were always provided for his sick daughter during the two years and five months that she has lain on her bed of sickness. Not a wish of hers that was ever formed in words but what was satisfied. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are hardworking, industrious people, and provide well for their children, to be afflicted as they have been, and no more signs of poverty exist inside their home than can be found in the home of the writer, or even in the home of Bro. Sprague. Their home belongs to them, and is comfortably furnished, and their table is always spread with plenty to eat. They have never asked aid from anyone, and if any has been given them, it came from a generous, sympathetic heart, and not because it was solicited on the part of any member of the family. Neither was it “hopeless suffering”. Hope never died in their breasts so long as life remained in the emaciated body of the poor girl, and as her eyed closed in death, a grand hope—something sweeter than any earthly hope—lit up her features, and made it seem sweet to lie down and die. No it was not hopeless. That hope was with her through it all, and brought with it its happy thought, cheer and resignation. We have often been In the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, and know whereof we speak. Can Bro. Sprague say as much? Has he ever been asked for alms? Neither do they live in Fairview (Dogtown) but they live just two blocks north of their neighbor Sprague, but if they did, it would be no disgrace. As good people as our Brother live in Dogtown and nothing is thought of it.

#4 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska Thursday, May 19,1892

EDNA PHILLIPS

The funeral of Edna Phillips, whose death was briefly referred to last week, was held on Friday at 2 P.M. and was well attended by sympathizing friends. Rev. Sheppard was the officiating clergyman. Edna was about eighteen years of age, having been born in 1875, and her case was remarkable for the tenacity with which she held onto life long after she was given up to die. Two years ago last January she had a severe attack of the grippe, which later settled on her lungs and developed into consumption. For more than a year she has been helpless, requiring constant care and attention, and during most of that time her death has been considered at best but a matter of short time, yet she lingered on a victim of the most intense suffering, but always cheerful, always hopeful, patient yet resigned to the inevitable. Though she knew she could not live, and though her suffering was more protracted and much more severe than usually falls to the lot of mortals, she was uncomplaining and displayed a most amiable disposition to the last. Her mother has been her constant nurse and companion during all these weary months, and with the active assistance of many kind friends and neighbors her sorrow was relieved to the fullest possible extent. In fact every thing that medical skill and loving hands could do has been done. For it has been well-known more than a year that Edna was dying, and as at frequent intervals death seemed to be claiming his victim, people wondered how one so frail could rally and live on. The ministrations fo friends have brightened her sick-room, and so far as possible made easier her trials—and trials of the family, but no power could stay the ravages of the destroyer nor relieve her of the untold physical agony she has endured with such patience and fortitude. Death must have been a welcome relief for her. The sympathy of the public has been unstintedly bestowed upon this suffering girl throughout her protracted sickness, and it remains with the family in the deep afflictions that have fallen upon them.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #75992325