Husband's Death Soon Follows That of His Wife
Sad news comes from Armenia this
week, it being the sudden death of Mr.
and Mrs. Casper, well known residents
of that town. Their deaths were caused
by an epidemic of pneumonia in the
family which consisted of the father and
mother, two boys and one girl. All were
prostrated last week with the disease and
and two of the children are yet very sick,
one however, has about recovered.
Mrs. Ida Casper will be remembered by
the readers of the LEADER as the author
of the Thanksgiving poem which appeared
in the LEADER in our issue of Nov.
27th and which gave such pleasure to
many of our readers that it received
hundreds of favorable comments. Mrs.
Casper was 45 years of age and had lived
in Armenia for the past twelve years.
She was only sick four days when her
death occurred last Friday morning. The
funeral was held on Monday, conducted
by Rev. Taylor, the pastor of the local
church, and the remains were laid to rest
in the cemetery of that town.
Erastus Casper, the husband, who was
also prostrated with the disease, died on
Tuesday and the funeral occurred Wednesday
under the auspices of the Odd
Fellows lodge to which he belonged.
Mr. Casper had been a minister and lect-
urer, but retired from the profession
several years ago. Both husband and
wife were talented people and their tra-
gic ending will be a source of sorrow to
a large circle of friends, among which
the LEADER people wish to be numbered.
--Wisconsin Valley Leader;
Thursday, March 26, 1903, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin

The many Nekoosa friends of the Casper
family greatly deplore the death of
Mr. and Mrs. Casper and the three chil-
dren have their deepest sympathy in their
great loss.
--Wisconsin Valley Leader;
Thursday, March 26, 1903, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin

Thanksgiving Day!
[The following musical bit of poetry is from
the pen of Mrs. Ida M. Casper of Armenia, con-
tributed to the WISCONSIN VALLEY LEADER for its big special Thanksgiving Day edition.]
Pumpkins lying in the bin,
Nice, ripe and yellow,
In the cellar piled up high,
Apples fine and mellow.
Grandpa sitting by the fire
Smiling, pleased and gay,
Children all are coming home
On Thanksgiving day.
Turkey strutting in the lane,
Thinks he's very fine,
Cranberries gleaming in the sun,
How like rubies shine.
Mince pies, sitting in a row,
Oysters from the bay,
What a glorious feast we'll have
On Thanksgiving day!
Grandma, busy as can be,
Making tarts and cake,
Pudding, filled with many a plum,
Such as grandmas make.
Cookies, filling up the jar
In fancy shapes are they,
For little ones must have their joys
On Thanksgiving day.
Boys and girls are busy, too,
And many errands run,
Wish tomorrow now was here,
Wont there be some fun?
Jack-o-lanterns in the barn
All in ghostly array,
Wont they have a jolly time
On Thanksgiving day?
Morning dawns so bright and clear,
Not a sign of rain,
Grandpa, to the station gone,
Now comes back again.
Yes, the children all are here—
All but little May,
Who's gone to join her Savior
In a long Thanksgiving day.
Greetings are over, happy all,
The table gather round.
With heads now bowed
We thank thee, Lord,
For grace that doth abound,
For mercies, blessings, com-
forts all,
And, Father, now we pray,
To guide, direct and keep us all,
That we may never stray,
And bring us, each, to praise Thee
In that
Blest Thanksgiving day.
--Wisconsin Valley Leader;
Thursday, November 27, 1902, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin