Obituary of Julia E. Crain-Smith, Labette County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

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OSWEGO INDEPENDENT, 20 February 1920

Obituary of JULIA E. CRAIN-SMITH

Mrs. Julia E. Crain-Smith was born in Washington County, Illinois, Oct. 24, 1853. In 1867 she with her parents moved to Kansas and located in Montana township, Labette county. In 1873 she was united in marriage to W. E. Smith and moved with her husband to Sheridan township, Cherokee county, Kansas, and lived in said county until she passed away on the 8th day of February, 1920. To this union six children were born, three of them dying in infancy.
The following
children with her husband survive her: Buetis Smith, Edith Waugh, and Ada Smith. All reside in Sheridan township, Cherokee county, Kansas. Also, two brothers and one sister survive her: R. H. Crain and Mrs. Sarah A. Lane of Los Angeles, California, and L. W. Crain who resides in Labette county. Deceased joined the M. E. church when 16 years of age. It was under the ministry of her father Rev. John Crain, M. E. minister, that she was converted. She lived a pious Christian life for over half a century and often expressed herself as being ready to meet her Master, when the summons came, and she only had to step forth from the tabernacle to the Holy Hill of the Lord. She had been in poor health for many years and while her death was no surprise to her many friends her passing away cast a gloom over the entire community and the public has lost a Christian and the old pioneers lost a conspicuous character by the death of Mrs. Smith. How I love to dwell on the home life of
deceased and the writer. I love to recall the touching scenes and incidents of our pioneer days, of the frugal meals, the family circle, and kindred ties of the old log cabin and the rude chimney and in my mind I can see the smoke curling from that chimney and settle over the frozen hill, when there was scarcely another white man's habitation there and the then little village of Oswego, and oh, how well do I remember the driving snow storm deceased and I were caught in in Cherokee county in 1867, en route from Missouri with provisions and were lost in that blizzard on the wild prairie and were rescued by Mrs. Toppings near their home just a short distance from where Mr. Canfield now lives and would have perished in that awful storm if it had not been for the
timely assistance of those two good people. But during all of the hardships she had abiding faith in Kansas and in the Master, and when the great book of the Universe in unfolded and she stands before the Creator that doeth all things well He will in mind say, "Oh yes, I
remember, you are the Christian lady that gave me 50 years of faithful devotion in the other world. Even in the many years of your affliction you gave me your reasonable service; you shall spend eternity in Paradise and you shall have many stars in your crown." And as she passed from this world I feel sure she felt the breath of eternal morn on her wasted brow. I was with this dear departed sister while she was conscious but had lost the power of speech. She motioned me to come to the bedside and she took me by the hand and with the index finger of her other hand she pointed toward the sky and in that pose she remained for a moment
and then turned her weary eyes to me and a smile lit up her countenance, and in mute silence seemed to say, "Dear brother, did you catch the meaning?" The writing of this obituary has been a melancholy task to me, so farewell Julia, my grief cannot be told in words. Our tears reflect a thousand memories, the world neither has nor can have memories more sacred or enduring. Above the consecrated dust, the shaft can only speak the truth, and I know of no more appropriate word to close this tribute of respect with than those beautiful lines:
"What low pathetic anthems fill the air and mingles holy reverence with the breeze, and touch the heart with sacred gentle care, that gives a moment earthly sorrow ease."
She leaves behind a host of weeping friends and followers who greatly feel her loss. The sigh of many a lovely heart attend, the fleeing of her spirit to the cross.
The funeral services were held at her late home on Feb. 10, at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Goodrich, M. E. minister of Columbus. Internment was made in the McGee [McKee] cemetery.
Contributed by a Brother [L. W. Crain]

Transcribed and Contributed by dcrain@brookings.net