Rev. and Mrs. Geo. F. Williams lost their little son, Owen Franklin, at 5 o’clock last Thursday morning at their home in Lexington, Neb., and the body was brought here Friday afternoon and interment made in the Blair cemetery. Dr. Palmer received word by phone on Wednesday that the boy was very sick and he and Mrs. Palmer went out that afternoon arriving at about 11 o’clock, in time to see the little fellow before Death claimed him. He was two years old in February and had had whooping cough for over two months. He was taken with a severe attack of grip and the whooping cough had so reduced his vitality that death resulted from prostration. Rev. Williams was sick in bed with rheumatism and Mrs. Williams had given birth to a baby girl only about three weeks before, but both came over to see their little darling laid to rest by the gentle hands of sorrowing friends.

Democrat 22 April 1909

The remains of the two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Williams was brought here for burial last Friday from Lexington. The little fellow died from the effects of an attack of whooping cough and mumps.

Pilot 21 April 1909

It was a beautiful afternoon that we laid the little body of Owen Franklin Williams to rest. The sun came out warm after the rain, grass in the cemetery is just getting green and the “city of the dead” never looked more serenely beautiful to us than it did then. It was near evening and the slanting rays of the setting sun gave a peculiarly soft color to everything. But few carriages went out. Only a few intimate friends, and hence there was no bustle, no confusion. The holy hush of sorrowed hearts was felt by all and few words were spoken. The little white casket was opened and the father and mother took a last look at the sweet face and golden curls of their baby boy. Gently the casket was lowered in the little grave; a quartette sang “Precious Jewels”. A word of prayer was said and then we went away from the saddest, sweetest, simplest burial service we have ever witnessed. It is said the children we lose are the only ones we really have. They live always in memory as children, they never grow up.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.