On Thursday, May 10, 1900, in Hutchinson, Kansas, William F. Haeslig, of Protection, Comanche co., Kansas. The deceased was born August 4, 1870, in Eudora, Kansas and was, therefore, 29 years, 9 months and 6 days of age at the time of his death.

At the age of 17 he began the study of telegraphy in his home town. He proved to be an apt student and he soon won the confidence of the Santa Fe company. He went from the Eudora office to Marion, from there to Belle Plaine, from Belle Plaine to Canadian, Texas, then back to Belle Plaine. His next transfer was to Protection; from there he went to Oklahoma City and then to Ashland where he remained for about two years, after which he was transferred to Udall, Cowley-co. He had not been there but a little over a year when his health began to fail and he was, on the 1st of last January, compelled to give up his work for the railroad company and seek a restoration of his health.

He came with his family to Protection and there made his home temporarily with relatives. He received the best medical assistance possible, but the progress of the disease-consumption-to which he had become a prey, could not be arrested. About ten days before his death a change of climate was decided upon, and accordingly he started, in company with his brother-in-law, J. A. Wuchter, of Protection, for the extreme western part of the state. They stopped at Garden City, but it soon becoming apparent that Will was growing worse, it was decided best to bring him home. While in a hotel at Hutchinson awaiting a train he suddenly became worse and died in a few moments. He was conscious to the last and death came to him peacefully and with but slight warning.

His body was brought to Protection where burial took place (in the Protection Cemetery) on Friday. The funeral services were in charge of the Odd Fellows lodge, assisted by the Modern Woodmen, of which orders the deceased with a faithful member. Quite a number of Odd Fellows were present from Coldwater and from Ashland and assisted in the services. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. D. H. Switzer, of Ashland. Rev. H. E. Ross, of Englewood, was also present and assisted in conducting the services. The large attendance at the funeral attested to the high esteem in which the deceased was held in this county and in Clark-co.

He was married on May 29, 1893, to Miss Josephine Wuchter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wuchter of Protection. Two children, Earl and Geneva, and the sorrowing wife and mother are bereft of the dearest earthly tie, and to them the sincere sympathy of many friends is extended. A truer friend, a better husband, a more worthy citizen could not be found than was Will Haeslig.

The Odd Fellow Lodge at Protection adopted the following resolutions in regard to the deceased Brother:

WHEREAS, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from our midst our beloved Brother, W. F. Haelsig, and WHEREAS, Brother Haelsig, although a member of the Ashland lodge (No. 282) I.O.O.F., was still our Brother-a Brother indeed, and of long residence among the members of this Lodge. There fore be it RESOLVED, First-That we the members of Protection Lodge No. 419, I.O.O.F., bowing in submission to the Divine will, will ever cherish a recollection of his many virtues and his high character, as an incentive to a purer and a nobler life. Second-That we extend to his sorrowing wife and sister, and other relatives, our heartfelt sympathy in their hour of bereavement. Third-That our Lodge room be draped in mourning for a period of 30 days, and that a copy of these resolutions be spread on our minutes, a copy be presented to his wife, a copy be published in The Western Star, of Coldwater, Kansas, and in the Western Odd Fellow.

G. W. THOMAS.
Wm. HASBROOK.
J. W. ROSS.
Committee.

Peter Wuchter, father in law of William F. Haeslig.

Fannie Wuchter, mother in law of William F. Haeslig.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for contributing the above obituary to this web site!

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