William Hart

Evening Kansan, Tuesday, March 7, 1905.


William Hart was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 13, 1857. He was married to Miss Susie Herby August 23, 1878. In the spring of 1879 he came west and settled in Marion county, Kansas, and from hence he moved into Harvey county. Mrs. Hart was taken by death in the spring of 1896 leaving the husband and seven children, five boys and two girls, the youngest of whom was only about eight months of age.
Mr. Hart was converted and joined the M. E. church February 2nd, 1892. from the shock of his wife's death he seemed never to have fully recovered, yet through his nine years of widower hood he kept the children together and was kind and devoted to them, thus making good his promise to his wife in her last hours.
For some time previous to the sad sequel of last Monday morning, Feb. 28, 1905 it was apparent that his mind was unsettled, but not sufficient as to excite alarm. He was in the city on Saturday previous conversing with friends and transacting business in his usual way. But apparently on Monday morning reason became suddenly and completely dethroned and the life of his little girl and his own were taken without a moment's warning to the other three children who were at home. Mr. Hart was highly respected by his neighbors as an honest peaceable citizen and was especially fond of little Myrtie.
She had been the pet of the home through her ten years, eight months and twenty days of life. She was a beautiful child and of sweet disposition and was all the more loved because of her helpless age at the time of her mother's death. Propriety and tender sympathy for her surviving sister and brothers forbid details regarding her sad fate on her last morning on earth. Less than a year ago one of the five boys was buried from this church so that four of this family have crossed over into the great beyond.
It is but deserving to say that the four surviving boys, Charles, harry, Floyd and Walter, have set an example of manliness and devotion in this motherless home. This no doubt is evidence in part of their father's good influence while in his normal condition. But back of all is seen the guiding hand and gentle influence of the sister, Miss Orva, who at the age of fourteen assumed the burdens of the household. She being the oldest, the care of the other six, ranging in age from eight months to twelve years devolved largely upon her. She was daughter, sister and mother in the home; preparing the meals, making and mending the clothes, preparing the eligible ones for school, drying the tears of baby sorrow, guiding their feet over rough places, giving them the good night kiss and greeting in the morning's busy hours. Ah, there will come a day when there shall be no uncrowned queens; and many who have been so deep under the burdens of life as not to be known ten miles from home will wear crowns, through eternity, of fade less beauty.
V. C. Evers