Steele - Armstrong Thomas
From 1884 Diary of Hiram Pratt, who was a barber in Waveland and kept a diary for over 50-years - only a few exist but so lucky to have those
Saturday April 12 -- $9.70. The weather has been rather dull for our business work came in pretty fast this afternoon & night. Pd 50 for 4 doz eggs, 5 cts for a fishing line for Willie. Dr. AT Steele came very near dying tonight. Posened (sic) by taking cin (?) over ? (it doesn't look like dose although that would make sense) of opium.
Sunday April 13 - Bro. Hollingsworth was not able to preach today. The Rev. JH Sammis preached in his stead. Had a beautiful Easter service tonight in the Methodist Church. Dr. AT Steele died from the effect of opium poisen(sic) this morning a few minutes past 12.
Monday April 14 -- $6.70. Last week I sent to John C. New & Co. $21.10. Yesterday I gave $1 to church expenses. .25 cts for coffee. The funeral of Dr. AT Steele took place at his residence 2 p.m. was buried in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Tuesday April 15 -- $2.70. Sent to the Enquirer Co. $4.36. Yesterday I sent to the Journal of Indianapolis a short account of Dr. Steele's death. I will write more elaborately for the Crawfordsville Journal tomorrow. Rained about all day. Coal oil .20
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Source: Saturday Evening Journal (Crawfordsville, IN), 19 Apr 1884
Waveland -- Dr. Armstrong Thomas Steele, an eminent practitioner of medicine, died at his residence last Saturday night, a few minutes past 12 o’clock. In his death we lose a valuable citizen, one whose service the community could ill afford, for he was truly a servant of the people. He would rise at any hour of the night and go ten miles or more, if necessary, to administer to the relief of the suffering, when he knew the applicants were unable to remunerate his service. The poor people that he had served so long and faithfully, have lost one of their very best friends. For three days and nights before his death, he had been riding nearly constantly, and by such constant and excessive labors, was well-nigh physically exhausted. He got home Friday night at about 11 o’clock, ate a hearty supper before retiring. The next morning he was not feeling well, and did not get up for breakfast. He was subject to spells of colic and feared that he was going to be attacked, took a dose of opium. This was between the hours of 8 and 9 o’clock. When called for dinner, he responded and ate as hearty as usual, complementing the girls on the soup which they had prepared. He was seemingly in good cheer. After dinner he laid down for rest. At about half past three, David Moore called on business and his daughter Annie awoke him, when he gave directions how to give the medicine which he had previously prepared and laid aside at the office. “As soon as Willie comes down to supper I will tell him where it lies and he will get it for you”. It was observed by his daughter that his speech was rather slow, yet it was unobserved by Mr. Moore. In about 30 minutes from this instant, Albert Jenkins called to see the doctor. His daughter, Ella, went in to awake him, and was horror stricken, for he looked to her like a dead man, his breathing was heavy and the pulsation of the heart, plain to be heard. She at once gave the alarm, and instantly they began the use of every means at command to arouse him, but could not. At about 6 o’clock Dr. Ball called, and miraculously Dr. VanNuys, who was at Simon Clores, was dispatched too. As soon as he arrived a message was sent out to Mr. Demaree’s for a battery, and by the time it could be put in readiness and applied it was 9 o’clock. By the infusion of electricity he was aroused sufficiently to say yes or no when questions were put direct. When spoken in a loud voice he would open his eyes when asked to. The only complete sentence he was able to utter was “Oh, I am so sick”. At about 10 o’clock it was thought by some that he had passed the turning point and would rally. At 11:30 o’clock all hopes had fled, and a few minutes after, the breath of life had quietly and peaceably passed away. He was the father of four children, three daughters and one son. All day Sunday the people continued to call to see the remains. The expression was frequently made, “He looks just like he was asleep, and oh so natural”. Dr. Steele was born on a farm in Owen county, this State, near Spencer, September 13, 1834. His father’s family was composed of twelve children, of whom he was the youngest. He graduated at the medical school of Louisville, Ky., in 1856 and located in the practice of medicine at Alamo, this county. He was married to Miss Sarah M. Brush by the Rev. S. S. Lannius, August 4, 1858. The following year they moved to his village, that he might be more able to care for his mother, his father having died. The next year they moved back to Alamo. As there was no other physician there, they required his services, and it was best he abide with them, which he did until 1862, when they again moved to this place. He became a member of the Methodist church during the ministrations of the Rev. Cozad about twenty years ago, who was then riding the Russellville circuit. The funeral services were conducted at the family residence, and were attended by a large gathering of his many friends, Rev. Sammis, Hollingsworth and Tindall taking part in the services. The closing remarks were made by Rev. D. K. Tindall, of the Methodist church at Russellville. During the course of his remarks he said: “Death is abroad in our land and has claimed our brother Steele as his victim. A few years more and we shall have passed away. Thus it ever has been and ever will be while the world stands. The life of Dr. Steele is before your minds – he was a citizen among you and you know him better than I. Perhaps if I were to relate a single incident to illustrate the nobility of his character, it would suggest to your minds other deeds of valor. A few years ago a young man just starting out in business for himself in the profession of a physician, had a case on hands which he felt incompetent to handle successfully. He called to see Dr. Steele who was induced to go with him and see the patient. He told the young physician that the patient would surely die, and he could not afford to let him die on his hands. “Call me in to assist you and I will share the responsibilities with you; for will not the people say that you lacked the practice and had not the skill to make your profession” said Dr. Steele, who was willing to share largely of the responsibilities, he having had years of practice and no one could call into question his skill. This showed the magnanimity of his soul, the manliness of his heart, for he was a manly man. Oh, that we all had more of this self-sacrificing spirit, that we might humble ourselves and be abased, that we might more the exalted be. I have had the pleasure of the Doctor’s acquaintance for the past two years, and have oftentimes enjoyed his hospitalities. I have always found him a sociable, generous, companionable gentleman. He was devoted to his family, of which he was passionately fond. So far as I am informed, death had never before entered this household”. The speaker then commended them to commit themselves to God, who alone could give comfort to sorrowing hearts that would be lasting. The remains were then taken to the hearse by six pall bearers, appointed by the order of the A.O.U.W. Lodge, of which the deceased was a member, and taken to the Presbyterian church cemetery for burial. The following is a letter of condolence: “The officers and members of Goodwill Lodge, No. 82, A.O.U.W., do hereby tender to the family of our late brother, Dr. A.T. Steele, their heartfelt sympathies in this hour of bereavement. The loss that you have sustained is great. We can but speak words of sympathy and commend you to a Saviors’ compassion who alone can give comfort to the sorrowing and bereaved ones. The aching heart can only be touched by an Infinite Father’s love. While you have lost a loving husband and father, we have lost a helpful brother, the community a valuable and useful citizen, whose place will be hard to fill. Brother Steele was one of the charter members of Goodwill Lodge, No. 82, and was its examining physician. He met the demands made upon him by the order. Now his work is done, he cannot again answer to roll call of our lodge, but we trust is answering to the roll call in the better land. Our duties as brothers is plain. We will respond to the demand of honor and justice and try to meet our obligations. Will rally to the cheering word, love, which moves the heart, the hand and inspires every tongue.” By order of Goodwill Lodge, No. 82, A.O.U.W., Aaron J. Wolfe, Recorder, Waveland, Ind., April 15, 1884. - thanks so very, very much to Sue P. for this one :)