Robert Hayward: Of the Highest Character and Most Sterling Worth

The Las Vegas Daily Optic, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Tuesday Evening, August 15, 1905, front page, bottom of left column:




Robert Hayward Dead

Las Vegas will regret sincerely to hear of the death of Robert Hayward which occurred at the home of his father, T. W. Hayward, this morning around 11 o'clock. Six weeks ago, while on his sheep ranch near Corona, Mr. Hayward contracted typhoid fever. He was brought to the city and every effort was made to save his life. It was believed the latter part of last week that he had passed the crisis of his disease and that the chances for recovery were good. Sunday evening a relapse came and since that time the loved ones who watched over him were sustained only by the hope that hopes against hope.

Deceased was born in Kansas. He was married nearly three years ago and his widow and one child are among those who most deeply mourn. Mr. Hayward was an industrious, intelligent young man of the highest character and most sterling worth.

By hard work and energy he had grown prosperous and life held much promise for him. For his family and relatives, Las Vegas people will entertain the warmest sympathy.

Arrangments for the funeral have not yet been made. Will Hayward arrived from El Paso this afternoon.

Robert Hayward was the second husband of my great-great grandmother, Marie Magdalena Schmitz. The daughter not mentioned by name is Violet Hayward (1901-1991). Marie's other daughter, Gertrude, is not mentioned in the article. She is Robert's step-daughter and my great-grandmother.

The T(homas). W(alter). Hayward mentioned in this article as father of Robert, may also be the T. W. Hayward who owns a local butcher shop. Ads for this store are in other editions of this same paper.

I believe the Will Hayward noted above as arriving from El Paso is a brother of Robert.

I did not know Robert Hayward had farm. By researching his life and death, I am learning about those events of my blood-related ancestors. They spent time on that sheep farm in rural New Mexico. How awful it must have felt for Marie to bury a second husband so young.

Marie Schmitz Baerecke Hayward did marry again. I don't know when she came to New Mexico or when she left, just that she's in Missouri for the 1920 census and spent her final years in California. Hopefully further study of the Las Vegas, San Miguel county, New Mexico area between 1892 and 1920 will shed some light Marie's life-event timeline and that of Robert's step-daughter Gertrude.

A Steady, Every Day Christian: The Obituary of Sarah Caroline Brigham Williamson

In my post A Man and His Wives, I introduced you to my great-great grandfather and his three wives. His first wife was Sarah Caroline Brigham. Sometimes her first name was Sallie. Sometimes her last name was Brigance. Whatever she was called, she was my great-great grandmother.

She died when she was 25. Below is her obituary. Based on what was written, and given the ages of the children she left behind, this was a devastating time for the family.

This newspaper piece was transcribed verbatim. The paragraph breaks are my own, to give readers' eyes a break, and my family a chance to take in all the details:

OBITUARIES

Mrs. Sarah C. Williamson

The ravages of death made another home lonely and drear, other hearts sad and desolate, and robbed other children of a mother. Mrs. Sarah C. Williamson, who departed this life Nov. 16th 1887, was born Feb. 13th 1862. Her maiden name was Sarah Caroline Brigham. She was married to Mr. Woodberry Williamson Jan. 18th 1878, with whom she lived in perfect fidelity and concord until her demise.

She professed faith in Christ and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Russellville, in 1874, at a meeting held by the Rev. R. G. Sims now of Texas.

Mrs. Williamson was not a spasmodic christian, religious while only at church, and zealous only during the progress of revivals, but she was a steady, every day christian in whose life the love of God was manifest in all she did.

Around her heart there seemed to be perennial sunshine that radiated to those about her. She was kind, loving, and true in everything. But with all her beautiful traits of character, and happy disposition, she was called home in the very prime of her life. She had assured her loved ones that she was not afraid of death, and now while they are weeping, she is basking in the glory world.

She was buried in the Williamson burying ground, services by the writer. She leaves a husband, four little children, a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss, all of whom we commend to our Father in heaven who alone can bind up the broken hearted.

H. B. MILNER

- - -

Source: "Williamson, Sarah," Copy from Williamson family file, Pope County Library, Russellville, Arkansas. Retrived August 4, 2008. Originally published in the Russellville Democrat, 23 Novembr 1887.