The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, August 11, 1889
pg. 4

The Sad Bereavement of an Estimable Family
Intelligence of the death of Lotta, wife of E. Eppstein, Esq., of Sherman, which occurred at the family residence in the latter city Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, was received by the numerous friends of the family in this city with profound regret.  The taking away from life of a good man or woman is under any circumstances a sad and touching circumstance, but especially sad and lamentable was the demise of this exemplary and estimable lady.
Two months ago Mr. Eppstein decided to visit the scenes of his early life in Europe, and decided that Mrs. Eppstein should accompany him.  Arrangements were accordingly made for the trip, but as the time drew near for their departure Mrs. Eppstein's health, never very rugged, became so delicate, that, fearing she would neither enjoy the journey nor allow her husband to do so, she prevailed upon the latter to go alone.  With some reluctance he went, but with no foreboding of the terrible circumstances under which he was destined to return.  He had not crossed the ocean when Mrs. Eppstein was laid upon a sick bed, the trouble being typhoid fever.  This information was withheld from him in the hope that his wife might be restored to health without his being subjected to the alarm and anxiety which a knowledge of her condition would naturally occasion, but her case becoming more and more critical as time passed on, he was, on Friday week, cabled the intelligence of the true state of affairs, and started upon the home journey at once.  He will reach New York to-morrow, when the first information of his great bereavement will reach him.
Mrs. Eppstein having expressed before her death a desire to be buried by the side of relatives in Denison, arrangements were made for conducting the obsequies in conformity with her wish.  Her remains were brought to this city Wednesday morning and conveyed to the residence of Mr. Sam Star.  Here the impressive rites of the Jewish funeral service were administered by Dr. Yeidel, after which the large concourse of sorrowing friends followed the remains to the Hebrew Cemetery, where they were solemnly interred.
Mrs. Eppstein was born in Bavaria, in 1830, and therefore died in her 59th years.  She was married to Mr. Elias Eppstein in New York City in 1851, and lived with him 38 years in wedded happiness such as it is reserved for but very few to enjoy.  To the highest virtues of her sex she added the charm of a rare amiability and dainty intelligence, and her unparagoned motherliness and graciousness is reflected in an exemplary family and in the legion friendships she made.  She leaves besides her husband quite a large family of grown-up sons and daughters.  Of these, Mrs. Abraham, wife of the millionaire dry goods merchant, A. Abraham, of the firm of  Wexell & Abraham, Brooklyn, resides in Brooklyn; Mrs. Marks, wife of L. Marks, of the dry good firm of L. Loenstein, Bros. & Co., of Memphis, Tennessee, resides in New York City; Mesdames Star and Grundstein, wive of Messrs. Sam Star and Max Grundstein, of Denison's greatest mercantile concern, the Star Store, live in Denison.  Miss Sadie Eppstein is visiting her sister, Mrs. Marks, in New York; Miss Pauline Eppstein is at home in Sherman; and Messrs, Max and Leonard, who complete the family, are both members with their father, of the wholesale liquor firm of E. Eppstein & Co., of Sherman.  To this bereaved family, and to the large circle of relatives and friends to whom the remembrance of this good woman will long be a fragrant memory, the Gazetteer extends its deepest sympathy.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, January 7, 1900
Page 1

DROPPED DEAD

A Most Estimable Pioneer Citizen Passes Away

L. Eppstein, a pioneer citizen, and one of the business pillars of Denison dropped dead of heart failure this morning at his home on Gandy street, corner of Burnett avenue. The Gazetteer was just ready to go to press when the sad news was learned.
The deceased was one of the first to cast his lot with what was then known as the "Infant Wonder." For over twenty-five years he has been an honorable and respected citizen of Denison. He began business here on a small scale, which has grown to such proportions that the firm is known throughout the entire southwest. He has been regarded as one of our most enterprising and reliable business men. He has contributed largely to the upbuilding of Denison. He was always a generous giver to any enterprise that looked to the advancement of our material interests.
One of the most interesting and thrilling stories that we ever listened to, was his early struggles when he first arrived in this county.
By indomitable pluck, business ability and perseverance he attained that business success which is the history of many a poor, friendless immigrant boy who in the end has attained wealth and business prominence.
L. Eppstein for the past twenty-five years has been a familiar figure in business circles. Although he had just passed the ripe age of 73 years, he was well preserved and bore his years as lightly as any man in the community. he showed no disposition to take the world easy, although he was abundantly able to do so.
He was a hard worker until death called him hence
L. Eppstein was universally esteemed. He was a good citizen, and no man that has lived was a more devoted and loving parent. He seemed all wrapped up in the present and future welfare of his children. He denied them nothing, and his example will always be a shining mark for them to follow.
No death ever fell with such poignant grief in a household, as the passing away of this loving parent. He was the most loving character to those nearest the father's heart, and his affections for his grandchildren, was one of the most noble traits of his admirable character. The Gazetteer is deeply moved by the death of L. Eppstein, for he was a strong link that bound us to the past and present of Denison. In a short time, the grave will have closed over the last that made pioneer history for our city.
At this writing we are not familiar with the birthplace of the deceased, only that he came here from Germany when quite a young man. He has married a great many years and leaves behind a wife and three daughters and two sons. Milton is the junior of the present firm.
The intelligence of the death of L. Eppstein will awaken a tender and tearful regret wherever he was known, and he leaves behind him a memory as fragrant with all the sweet amenities of life as the flowers which will be spread over his grave. The hour of the funeral has not as yet been announced but will not take place until the children arrive.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, January 14, 1900

AT REST
After Life's Fitful Struggle is Over

The funeral of L. Eppstein was held at the Eppstein residence, corner Burnett Avenue and Gandy street, Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock, the Jewish funeral ceremonial being conducted by Dr. L. Yeidell, the long time friend of the Eppstein family, between whom and deceased there had had existed warm friendship for more than a quarter of a century.  The shock of rudely broken associations by the sudden call was manifest as the living friend paid loving tribute to the dead.
The funeral was delayed that the 3 daughters living in distant homes might be present.  Other relatives and friends from distant states, from Sherman, Ft. Worth, Gainesville, and Dallas had made the sad journeys here also to pay their tribute of tears and regrets over the grave of brother, uncle, friend.
Denison has seldom seen such an outpouring of her citizens on a similar occasion as that that assembled to do honor to the dead and extend sympathy to the living.  The spacious house, grounds and sidewalk were crowded, and the street and avenue were full of vehicles with their occupants, the line extending several blocks.  Regardless of the mud and slush and a disagreeable northeast drizzle the crowd stood with bared heads during the funeral ceremony.  All classes and people of all faiths and of no faith were there to pay their last tribute and s how the esteem in which they held the dead.  Catholic joined with Protestant in paying tribute to one who was honorable, just and broad minded enough to recognize the good and true where found.  Ministers of all faiths were in attendance, scarcely a business interest in the city but was represented, and many of the lowly and humble gathered to lay their tribute on the bier of a generous friend.  All the old time citizens turned out, and with bared heads bowed in sorrow at the loss of their companion and associate for so many years, through all the vicistudes of the early struggles which bind men together as no prosperity can.  Another of the fast thinning ranks had given up the battle and passed to his reward, and the survivors with whitened locks gathered to bid a short good-by to him whom they had always found just, generous, catholic in his views of others.
At the conclusion of the Jewish service the Masons, of which order deceased was a member, and under whose auspices the funeral was conducted, field through the house to take the parting look and extend farewell.  The cortege was then formed and with the fraternity on foot proceeding the hearse, the long line moved slowly to the beautiful cemetery of the Jewish people on an eminence in the northeast part of the city where all that was mortal of L. Eppstein was laid to rest.
The pallbearers were: Col. J.B. McDougall, W.K. Maxwell of Parsons, Kansas; Engineer Jake Henry; Tom E. Davis; P.H. Tobin; C.S. Cobb; and Henry Regensburger; and W.B. Boss of St. Louis.
The gloom of the leaden, weeping heavens added to the sense of loss and bereavement was oppressive as standing beside the open grave we listened to the beautiful, touching ritual prayers read by Dr. Yeidel.  But as the reading progressed the immortelle lined grave lost its terror and borne on the incense of the lovely mounds of flowers "Faith could almost hear the rustle of a wing."
After the ritual prayers, the Masonic circle was formed and the Masonic burial service was read, and with the ceremonial ended the earthly career of one of Denison's most upright and progressive citizens, of a staunch and true friend, of a loving husband and indulgent father, of a broad, honorable and manly man.  Who could wish other epitaph?
The flower tribute in its magnificent beauty was something seldom seen in a western town.  The lovely designs were bewildering in their profusion.  A magnificent floral pillow composed of the most delicate white hyacinths, violets and magnificent lilies and roses, inscribed "To Our Father," was the tribute of the children of deceased, two sons, Milton L. and Louie B., and 3 daughters, Rosa, Fannie and Gertrude.  An anchor of white and purple violets, roses, etc., from which was suspended a white dove bearing a spray of purple violets on its beak, and inscribed, "To Our Uncle," was the loving tribute of nieces of the deceased.  Another designed inscribed "Rest" and a magnificent star were radiantly beautiful.  All cannot be named and none fittingly described.  One piece brought to mind the touching lines:
"He reaps the bearded grain at a breath
And the flowers that grow between."
When all were placed, and the hundreds who had braved the northeast storm to pay the tribute due to manly worth had sadly turned homeward, the emblems of hop and love remained in their starry beauty with the dead to speak of faith in the coming of a dawn that has no setting.
Leopold Eppstein rests beneath a "wilderness of flowers," the loving tribute of those who knew his worth, had known him longest and best.