BECK, Mary Hamilton Scott - Putnam

Mrs. M. M. Beck, the wife of the senior editor of the Recorder-Tribune died at her home in this city Thursday evening August 16, 1906 at 6:40 o’clock. Although it was known that she was in a critical condition, her death came as a surprise and shock to the community.  Mary Hamilton Scott was born in Putnam County, Indiana July 12, 1840 and at the time of her death Thursday Aug 16, 1906 was aged 66 years one month four days. Her father, WT Scott died some 10 years ago and her mother 11 years earlier. She grew to womanhood in Bainbridge in her native state and was married to MM Beck Sept 10, 1866. She joined the Presbyterian Church in 1860 and remained a member until with her husband and one child, came to Holton I 1869, where she united with the Methodist Church of which her husband was a member, which relation continued until her death.

Mrs. Beck was a good daughter, a loving, devoted mother and a kind, helpful neighbor.  Until a few weeks before her death her health was generally good and she found time from her household and family duties always to do her part in neighborly, social and religious affairs. She was deservedly popular with all who knew her and if she ever had an enemy, the writer did not know of it. During the civil war, when her three older brothers joined the army, she assisted her father, who was engage din the mercantile business as well as in farming, in the store, and when he was called south by the sickness or wounds of his sons she took charge of his business and conducted it with excellent ability. In addition to such duties, she was for a considerable time, the president and manager of the Soldiers’ Aid Society of northern Putnam County and in this capacity collected and forwarded many comforts and dainties to the hospital at the front.  Mrs. Beck was the mother of six children. The first born, Edwin died in Indiana at the age of 14 months. The others, Edward Scott, Martha Milton, William Thornton, Clara Mary (Mrs. John D. Myers) and Lillian Sarah, all grew to manhood and womanhood and were at her bedside when she died. Two grandchildren, Catherine Mary and John Edward Myers also survive. Two of her brothers died in Holton, Dr. JT Scott and WW Scott. Three brothers, Capt. JA Scott, SH Scott and Frank S. Scott and one sister, Mrs. MA Hand of Los Angeles, Calif also survive her.

Her last sickness commenced the first week in July but did not develop alarming symptoms until about a week before her death. Then her physician, Dr. CW Reynolds, after consulting with his brother, Dr. L. Reynolds, of Horton and Dr. Scott of Chicago decided that an operation for gall bladder inflammation was advisable. Mrs. Beck cheerfully and hopefully acquiesced in their decision and the operation was performed on Saturday the 11th inst. It was apparently successful but the Tuesday following acute kidney trouble developed and she soon sank into a stupor and remained unconscious until her death.  On Tuesday evening her son at Chicago, ES Beck was notified of her condition and started on the first fast train for home where he arrived Wednesday just 24 hours before she died. The funeral services were conducted at the residence Saturday afternoon at 4:30. Dr. Ernest V. Claypool delivered a brief but beautiful eulogy on her life and character; prayer was offered by Rev. RP  Hamm and appropriate scripture passages were read by Rev. Dr. Huffman, pastor of the UB Church. Mrs. DK Rinehard of Ottawa, sang three beautiful selections, Not Lost, but Gone Before; Lead Kindly Light and The Homeland. The house was filled with kindly, sympathetic neighbors and friends. The casket was covered and surrounded by banks of beautiful and fragrant flowers, contributed by her friends in Holton, Chicago, Topeka, Ottawa and Hiawatha. The pall bearers were chosen from among the friends of many years and were Judge Case Broderick, GF King, Dr. V. V. Adamson, Isaac Hoover, Alex Dunn and Judge IT Price. After the simple but beautiful service, all that was mortal of her was borne from the home that she had blessed for nearly 40 happy useful years to its last resting place. – kbz