Stewart - Elmer Grant - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Elmer Grant Stewart, son of John A. and Frances Stewart, was born June 13, 1867; departed this life in Denver, Colorado, of acute pneumonia Nov. 30, 1899, aged 32 years, 5 months and 17 days.  His boyhood was spent like many others at home and at school. He early showed his love and talent for music, and his later life was devoted to it. He traveled to the east and to the west, from shore to shore in his favorite profession, and whether he used his rich tenor voice or an instrument he seemed to be equally impressive. One of his favorite sons which he sang upon the stage (in the days of its popularity), was “In the Baggage Coach Ahead,” and little did we think as he sang it so solemnly that he must so soon take just such a long, last ride, “In the Baggage Coach Ahead.” Of his last days we have not heard, and do not know, but may we not hope that he may at last have seen his mistake and found the Lord and that he may now be singing in the angel choir and playing upon a harp of gold. Services were held at the M. E. Church in Darlington conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. S. Crowder. A good choir attended and sang most beautifully in remembrance of him who so often had taken part on such occasions. Interment was immediately after services at the I. O. O. F. Cemetery.  -s

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 8 December 1899

The relatives of E. G. Stewart received a telegram from Denver Friday telling them of the fact that he had died there on Thursday and asking what disposition should be made of the body. His brothers immediately telegraphed back to prepare the body for burial and ship here by fast express regardless of expenses, as they, through the bank, had guaranteed all expenses. The body reached here Monday in good condition, but the family was very indignant at the cheapness of everything connected with him and were compelled to order new clothing and casket before burial.

Elmer G. Stewart was born and reared to manhood four miles southeast of this place, and was at all times a favorite among the young people in and around Darlington, as he was an exceptional good singer, and a good conversationalist. He was much sought after in all of the many entertainments in and around Darlington. He was above the average farmer’s boy as to education, his mother, after the death of his father, having sent him to school for some years. He was for years a member of the Darlington band and an expert with the cornet and tuba, and when the word came that Elmer was dead our band immediately decided to attend his funeral as a band, and the body of Elmer Stewart was carried down Main Street and to the country by the music of his old home band. While the majority of the members were new, yet all knew him and no act of ours could have been more fitting to his memory than this. Elmer, like all mankind, had his faults. Let us as his brothers bury his shortcomings with his body, and remember only his many virtues. He died many miles from home among strangers, no brother nor sister to cheer him, no mother to bathe his fevered brow. No doubt all was done that could have been in the way of care and medical skill, yet it seems so hard to have a son or brother to die thus.

The day of the funeral (Monday) was a cold, stormy day, yet the church was full and the Rev. Crowder preached a most excellent sermon to the living, and the choir did some excellent singing. At times there was scarcely a dry eye in the church, such was the sympathy for the family, especially his aged mother, who was almost heart broken at this sudden taking off of her youngest child. -s