Masterson, Mary A. (Carter) (1849-1901)

CARTER, MASTERSON, COVALT, COVAULT, RINK, HICKOK, DOVE, WATTS

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 5/20/2017 at 13:29:42

Audubon County Journal (IA)
Thursday, Jul. 18, 1901, pg 6

Exira News

MEETS DEATH IN A RUNAWAY.

--------
Mrs. William Masterson Meets
Death In A Runaway On Saturday,
July 13, 1901.

--------

An accident which, owing to its
fatality, spreads a gloom, a deep
sorrow and most tender sympathy
over Greeley township and the entire
county, and words cannot express
the feeling that pervades the
minds of those who have learned
that Mrs. William Masterson has
passed to the beyond--the better
world of joy and sunshine--has
passed into the cold embrace of
death leaving behind a husband
who is burdened with sorrow and
grief that this world cannot realize
nor in no way share; parting from
a boy who through the tide of years
has been a mother's pride and comfort;
separating the worldly ties
that have closely bound to two kind
and affectionate daughters that
have grown from childhood to
young womanhood under her control
and guidance--being now the
possessors of a true and sincere
mother's ideal of womanly purity
and refinement

We do not desire to tell the details
of an accident that deprives a husband,
son, daughters and many
true and warm friends of one who
was most worthy of the ties of love,
friendship and devotion that bound
them closely in unity, giving and
imparting confidence, peace and
happiness to all so united. Words
cannot be so marshaled and arranged
that we can express the sentiment
of a true, generous and loyal
public that tender and long to bestow
true sympathy to those whose
lives were interwoven with that of
the dear departed and who most
fondly and kindly shared the joys
and hopes and sunshine of a devoted
wife, a sainted mother and a true,
lasting and most generous and
noble friend.

Saturday evening after the day's
work was ended Mrs. Masterson
and her two daughters, the Misses
Stella and Va(e)da Masterson, started
to drive to North Branch to get the
mail and do some trading at the
store. The horse was one that they
had often driven, and being accustomed
to driving and handling the
horses on the farm they had no fear
and danger was free from their
minds. When they were about two
miles from home, passing by near
the home of H. W. Cova(u)lt, the horse
became frightened and started to
run. Realizing there was danger
they all jumped from the buggy,
Mrs. Masterson being the first, the
girls springing from the buggy
immediately after her, the horse
dashing off down the road until it
reached North Branch and had
freed itself from the vehicle and
harness. The girls were only slightly
bruised and at once hastened to
administer to the wants, needs and
comfort of the mother, who was in
an unconcious condition, never
speaking a word or recognizing
anyone. Her spirit, freed from the
tenement of clay, took its flight,
leaving behind a world of darkness
filled with gloom and those present
stricken down in almost hopeless
despair. Mr. and Mrs. Cova(u)lt and
others were soon present and done
all in their power to aleviate all
suffering and pain, but the accident
soon proved fatal and the willing
hands, administering to her wants
in love and sympathy, could not
stay the hand of death and in their
last extremity consigned her to the
care of the great, all good, all wise
and all powerful and omnipotent
One, knowing that "He doeth all
things well." In a short time the
news spread and quite a number
had gathered on the scene where
the fatal accident occurred. A par-
ty of friends were dispatched to the
home where Mr. Masterson was
awaiting their return to break the
sad and almost unbearable news to
him while other friends made arrangements
and took the body, cold
in death, back to the beautiful
pleasant home where the loved de-
parted had left a short time before
in the prime of life, the bloom of
health, with the future radiant with
promise and life buoyant with hope.
Sunday the entire community and
surrounding country gathered at
the home to pay the last token and
tribute to her mortal remains and
to attend the funeral rites at Bow-
man Chapel, the services being conducted
by Rev. Rink, of the Metho-
dist church, assisted by Rev. Hickok
and Rev. A. Dove.

Mary A. Carter was born in Ve-
nango county, Pennsylvania, March
18, 1849, where she was united in
marriage in the fall of 1870 to Will-
iam Masterson. In 1879 they left
their old home and friends and
came to Audubon county where
they have since lived, surrounding
themselves with the comforts of life
and enjoying the respect and con-
fidence of a wide circle of friends
She was the mother of two boys and
two girls, one boy, Earl, passing to
rest last fall.

For nearly twenty years we have
known the departed and like her in-
numerable friends we fail to find
words to express our sympathy. We
pause and hesitate to think of at-
tempting to extol her womanly
worth and many noble virtues,
since her kind words, generous
deeds and noble acts stand for more
than words can express. Hence a
noble woman is at rest, free from
worldly cares and daily toil, leaving
behind the record of a life well
spent, and the influence of her past
life will reach far into the future
and be for the betterment of those
who knew her. In future years let
us all remember her for her woman-
ly worth and purity and profit by
her past associations and ever strive
to emulate her noble character.
Words cannot express the public
sorrow. The feeling of sympathy
does not reach far beyond those
who portray it. Kind words from
friends and neighbors are dear and
precious but they cannot call back
the sainted mother and devoted
wife; and only the sweet and tender
memories of the past can dry the
tear of sorrow and grief and brighten
the home left desolate by the
hand of the Angel of Death.

Note: Parents of Mary A. Carter were Henry Carter and Mary Ann Watts.

photo of grave-marker
 

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