Ernest Milton, the only son of James M. Cotton and wife died with cholera infantum Saturday morning, August 7, aged 2 years and 4 days. He was a bright, wide-awake, lovable little fellow and was popular with all who knew him. His death is a grievous blow to the parents who have the deepest sympathy of the entire community. Funeral services took place Monday afternoon at the hotel. J.F. Babb conducted religious services and Col. T.P. Cheney was manager. The bearers were Howard Thompson, Charles Calley, Allie Thompson, and Abner Jackson. The singing was rendered by Mrs. E.L. Shepard, Mrs. M.M. Hughes, Charles Howe, and Gay Robie. The attendance was large and the floral offerings abundant and were beautifully arranged. The body rested in a white satin casket and had the appearance of a child not dead, but one living and peacefully sleeping.

The remains were interred in Green Grove Cemetery. The tributes were as follows: J M Cotton and wife, pillow, D.N. Pollard and wife, pinks; Lillian and Ella Pollard, pinks; W.S. Davis and family, Woodsville, wreath of flowers; Miss Evie Semple, Laconia, white chrysanthemums; Mrs. John A. Semple, Laconia, chrysanthemums; D.W. Carey and wife, wreath of flowers; R.R.D. Dearborn and wife, wreath of flowers; Thomas Cox and wife, sweet peas; George Stevens and wife, bouquet; Mrs. Babb, pond lilies; Mrs. Hiram Merrill, white sweet peas; Gay Robie and wife, pansies; Master Theodore Carlton Pierson, Laconia, sweet peas; Mr. Pierson and wife, Laconia, bouquet; George Jones and wife, bouquet; Charles Fogg and wife, flowers; George Fogg and wife, flowers; Edna Peaslee, bouquet; Mt. Passaconaway Lodge No. 49, Knights of Pythias and Pythian Sisterhood, gates ajar; W.C. Carpenter and wife, St. Johnsbury, Vt., basket of flowers; Ashland Rebekah Lodge; chair of white chrysanthemums; Mr. Parker and wife, Worcester, wreath of flowers; Mr. Jeffs and wife, Worcester, wreath of flowers; Frank Marr and wife, pond lilies; Georgia Baker, pond lilies; Dr. Verne Rogers and wife, basket of white petunias; Dr. A.R. Garvey and wife, spray of flowers; Susie Deane, star; Robert Annon and wife, art flowers; Frank Fifield and wife, roses with maidenhair fern; Walter Mason, Plymouth, roses and pinks; D R Greenlaw and wife, pond lilies; W.B. Coggswell and wife, white chrysanthemums.

Guests present from out of town: Mrs. Dr. Greenlaw, Conway; Daniel M. Cotton, H.O. Cotton, wife and son, and Charles Morgan, Providence, R.I.; Mrs. John Semple, Laconia. The Ashland Item, August 14, 1897, p5.

Ernest was born in Providence, the son of James M, and Dora J, (Campbell) Cotton August 2, 1895.