Obituary

Mrs. Anna (W. P.) Akins, well known in the Halstead area, died at her home in Denver, Colorado last Wednesday morning at the age of 69 years, 11 months and 6 days, following an illness of several years.

Mrs. Akins was among the early pioneer women of Kansas and of this community, having lived her about 52 years. She was born in Pasley Scotland, April 3, 1862 and came to America with her parents at the age of three and settled on a farm four miles north of Halstead in 1865.

Mrs. Akins must have had many interesting stories to relate of her early childhood in this vicinity when it was not an uncommon sight to see large herds of buffalo, wolves, coyotes, antelope and prairie chidken. No doubt her home was among those visited by the Indians in quest of food of which the early settlers gave regardless of the size of their meager supply.

Mrs. Akins claimed the honor of having been a resident of Kansas while Lincoln was President as she came here with her parents in the year that the Civil War ended.

She was united in marriage to W. P. Akins on July 2, 1882 and had she lived a few months longer, would have enjoyed the privilege of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Following their marriage, they resided on south Chestnut until fifteen years ago when they moved to Denver.

Seven children were born, five of whom survive: four daughters, Mrs. Emma Moots of Enid, Oklahoma; Mrs. Sue Hoover of Clayton, New Mexico; Mrs. Jennie Baird of Denver; Mrs. Sadie Picker of Denver and one son, Thomas J. Akins, Wichita. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Pearl and a son Earl. Her husband and one sister, Mrs. Ellen Shuler of Denver, also survive. Funeral services were held in Kinzer & Dreese Funeral Parlor with burial in the City Cemetery.