Word recently reached Protection of the death of Mrs. Perry Keith, one of this city's former citizens, and was later confirmed by a letter from Mrs. Keith's father, T. S. Drummond, of Beaver, Oklahoma. Mrs. Keith died in the Christ's Hospital, Topeka, Kansas, where she, with her husband and family moved last July, after an illness from influenza and resulting complications. The Keiths came to Protection about ten years ago and lived here five or six years. Mrs. Keith was one of the most loved of women and her friends in Protection were limited only at the number of her acquaintances. She taught music while in Protection and many Protection people today are sad because of the death of their instructor, who in the days that are gone, guided their hands and minds in their efforts in developing their musical abilities. Hers was a true and noble Christian character, with a most pleasing personally, and a smile and good word for everyone. Mrs. Keith was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, and with her parents came to the southwest as stated in the following letter, in her young womanhood days. She was married to Perry Keith at Beaver, Oklahoma on February 19, 1900, and was a true and loving companion to him for almost nineteen years, until parted from him by death. Beside her husband she leaves four children, and her aged father, who penned the following letter to Mrs. L. D. Haydock, with whose permission we print:
Beaver, Oklahoma
Jan. 1919.Mrs. Fannie Haydock,
Protection, KansasMy Dear Friend Fannie -
Your very welcome letter came to hand last night. I would have answered it in time for it to go out today, but we are still so blockaded that we don't know when we will get a mail or send mail out.
Mary's death was a hard blow to all of us, and only time and trust in God's wisdom can ameliorate our sorrows. As you can say, we cannot understand it. No, neither can anyone else. If we know the mysteries of life and death we would be as wise as the Lord who created us. In His wisdom He has hidden a knowledge of the future from us. Were it otherwise, we would be miserable. If we knew beforehand that a loved one was to die before our own life was ended, we would see no peace or pleasure in our existence. As He who gave us life has hidden the future from us, we can do no less than leave it all to Him knowing that He doeth all things well. And so we can say as David said of his dead child; "I cannot bring him back to me, I shall go to him, but he cannot return to me." And we can add in another's words; "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." And so our faith can make us whole.
And so, my dear girl, our faith can make us whole.
At first, when I heard of my dear daughter's death, I thought: Why was I not taken instead of Mary? Here I am, almost eighty-three years old, and can live but little longer at most. My usefulness must be almost done, and old people are not needed, nor, indeed, in many cases wanted. All the people I knew when I was twenty years of age have crossed the River of Death. Not one is left alive, that I know of. And since I was born more than three billion people have been born, lived and died. Why is this? And still the cry goes up, "I don't know! I don't know!" Only God knows and I bless His holy name that He alone can tell when I shall be called to rest.
But you wanted to know when and where Mary was born, and other items in regard to her life. Here is a part of it:
Mary Louisa Drummond was born In Blackhawk township, Jefferson county, Iowa, July 29, 1871. We were living on a farm there for two years. We moved to Sigoumey, Iowa, the same year, where I was employed in the Sigowney News office for twelve years. Then, on account of my wife's health failing, we went to northwest Kansas, and from there to Texas in 1887. Then on account of the financial smash all over the world, we came to No Man's Land in 1890, and in 1891 moved to Burr Oak, Kansas, where I ran the Hearld for two years. We then, on account of sickness of my wife and Mary we came back to Beaver, and then went to Ashland, Kansas, where I had charge of the Ashland Journal. From that time on you probably know more of Mary's life than I do; of the jolly times you young folks had; of the marriage of Mary and Perry at Beaver; and of their wanderings thereafter.
You knew her faults and her worth as a girl and a woman, and can write her obituary better than I can.
I have not written to Perry yet, but will do so soon and try to comfort him. I think you are right in regard to Ideas.
I am working in the Democrat office here - putting in short days. Am very busy all the time. Will write again soon.
Hope you and yours are well and prosperous.
Your very truly,
T. S. Drummond
Mr. Drummond will be remembered by all the older settlers of the county. For more than a year he lived with his daughter and family while they were in Protection, and he worked on the Post, being a good and faithful employee. He has, in the earlier days owned and run The Coldwater Star, The Ashland Journal, and other papers in this section. He was the author of "One Hundred Miles Through a Blizzard," or "What a Mother Darned," which was printed serially in the Post during the time while Mr. Drummond worked on this paper. This was a true story of the plains and of a plains woman and her love and sacrifice for her son.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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