George Curran aged 21 years, and oldest child and only son of Mr. and Mrs.T. J. Curran , of this city, was drowned while fishing at the railroad bridge one mile southwest of town last Saturday, May 21.About 9 o'clock on Saturday morning, Grover Holderby and George Curran made preparations to go fishing. George Curran being subject to epileptic fits, his mother first refused to let him go, but he persuaded her by promising to be careful and the boys made the start about nine o'clock, and were fishing near the railroad bridge a mile from town. Somewhere near eleven o'clock, George Curran was seized with one of his characteristic epileptic fits. He was sitting on the bank about 30 yards south of the bridge fishing at the time. Grover Holderby went to his assistance but being a small lad was unable to help him and pull him away from the bank.
Mr. Murlett was plowing in a field near by, and George went to call him, leaving George in an unconscious condition, as those spells always rendered him, and with one foot in the edge of the water. It was calculated by Mr. Murlett that from the time Grover left George, till he arrived, was not over four minutes, but when he reached the pond, George was over the bank in the water and his head was entirely under, but he was still near the bank where he had rolled in the paroxysms of his fit. He was immediately taken out by Mr. Murlett and rolled on the grass but no water seemed to come from him, neither was there any appearance of life.
Word was dispatched at once to his father who was in town, and he and a doctor drove immediately to the spot and the doctor made examination, but life was extinct. The young man had evidently died without a pain or a struggle or even knew that he was in the water, as he always lost consciousness as soon as he was seized with a fit, and they often lasted two hours.
The remains were at once conveyed to the family residence, where the grief stricken family awaited them.
George Curran was born on Feb. 2, 1877, and had lived with his parents in this county since its early settlement. He was of a sympathetic, pious nature. His sympathies were always with the afflicted, and took great pleasure in doing a little kindness for the sick. From his youth he had been afflicted with epilepsy, and was in constant care of his mother, as it was necessary to care for him when these spells came on. While it is a sad bereavement to the family, it is better, and George is happier in the Beyond.
The funeral sermon was preached at the M. E. church at 11 o'clock last Sunday by Rev. Claud M. Gray in the presence of a large concourse of friends and the remains were laid away in the city cemetery.
We're here to-day and gone to-morrow!
How oft these words suggesting sorrow,
Fall on our ears as one by one
Our friends depart - a Father, Son,
Sister or Mother - loved ones here,
For whom we pause and drop a tear.We're here to-day and gone to-morrow!
With all I know I would not borrow -
E'en though I could - one day or hour
To linger far from that bright bower
Where angels dwell in peace and love -
Our friends in that bright home above.We're here to-day and gone to-morrow!
Let us abide in joy and sorrow,
Till God shall call and then depart
From friends bowed down with heavy heart,
And bid them turn aside from grief,
Till one above shall bring relief.
Thomas J. Curran, father of George Curran.
Ada (Macomb) Curran, mother of George Curran.
Idress (Curran) Gilchrist, sister of George Curran.
Maude (Curran) Holcomb, sister of George Curran.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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