Bronaugh - Sadie Everson
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 3 May 1901
A telegram was received here last Friday from J. K. Everson announcing the death at El Paso, Texas, of his daughter, Mrs. Sadie Bronaugh. Mrs. Bronaugh had been a sufferer from consumption for several years, but had obtained temporary relief in the climate of California, Colorado, and Texas. Her mother went to spend the winter with her and Mrs. Bronaugh seemed to be doing very well until a few days ago when she suddenly took much worse, death coming to her Thursday morning at half after ten o’clock. She was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Everson and was well known in this city and county where she passed her life.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 May 1901
The funeral of Mrs. Sadie Bronaugh took place Wednesday at ten o’clock at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Everson, of East Wabash Avenue. Dr. Tharp conducted the services and a large number of friends were present. The floral offerings were quite numerous and exquisite. The interment was made at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 May 1901
December 6, 1870 and April 25, 1901, chronicle the beginning and end of the life story of Sadie Everson Bronaugh, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Everson, whose death occurred in El Paso, Texas.
Delicate in body from a mere child, it was not her privilege to enjoy a college education, much as it was her desire to do so. Nevertheless she was a close student, devoting much of her time to reading, music and painting. Gifted as she was with a bright mind and a quick perception, she enjoyed the kaleidoscope of the world’s doings.
In reviewing the story of her short life we find the pages embellished with cheerful words, abundant courage and good deeds, always faithful to duty and an abundant love for those nearest and dearest to her. Her gentle nature found its supreme pleasure in the companionship of parents and home, but failing health demanded that a change of climate be made. She sacrificed home with its sacred ties of love and protection for a home among strangers without one murmur or complaint.
Life was so sweet to her and she wanted to live, but when she realized that death was near and she must go she arranged everything to the smallest detail and then fell asleep.
This brief sketch of the life of Sadie Everson Bronaugh was written by one of her friends and handed to me to be read in this funeral service. In addition to the sadly sweet story it tells, I wish, as the pastor of the family, to recount my own impressions of her, and to impress the lessons they so forcefully teach.
“I had not the privilege and honor of an intimate or extended acquaintance with her, and what I shall articulate here to become a heritage to quicken your memories into a living activity, will be what I have learned by studying the finger prints of her fragile, gentle hand in these beautiful paintings and drawings that adorn her home, and from the affectionate and tearful expressions of her friends who knew and loved her well. All these works of art, my friends, are the products of her skill. From these and from what her friends have told me I learn, first, that she was inspired by a noble ambition to be useful. Reared in the lap of luxury, with a father and mother to whom her tiniest wish was largest law, there was no necessity for her ever to have lifted a finger to have had any wish gratified. But her observation of the conditions of this life had taught her the fickleness of fortune, and the altered condition that often ensued upon a single vicissitude or misfortune. Taught by this she asked of her father the privilege of fitting herself in some way to be self supporting, should the exigency ever arise. And with his consent she devoted herself to telegraphy and mastered it. What an inspiring example does she leave us here; and what a reproach to those who fold hands and refuse to serve. The Great Man of Galilee, although Lord of all, girded himself with a towel and bathed His disciples’ feet. He knew that this dull old world needed service, and set the example; and he would refuse to serve simply sets at naught this climacteric doctrine of the Great Teacher.
We would do well to emulate Sadie Everson Bronaugh’s example here and prepare ourselves to be useful in a noble service. From her art productions we learn her exquisite sense of the beautiful. Deeds better than words exponent thought and character. What beautiful thoughts must have filled and thrilled her soul as she sat by yonder moon lit sea; or yonder bunch of roses; or yonder Mary Magdalene; or sweeter yet, by that expectant maiden watching for her lover to come from over the sea? All these she has painted with rare excellence, a thing that is absolutely impossible to one whose soul does not love the beauty it portrays.
Sadie Everson Bronaugh was a firm believer in Jesus the Christ, and in the church He builded. And in her dying hour she turned to her mother and said, “Mamma, pray for me.” And I love to believe that He who loved and died heard that prayer. At any rate, “the God of all the earth will do right,” and we love to leave our loved ones in His care.”
Wallace Tharp -- thanks so very much to not only these three but for so many of our grea tobits on these pages - thanks "S"