Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1911 — DEATH CAME SUDDENLY TO DR. W. W. MERRILL. [ARTICLE]

DEATH CAME SUDDENLY TO DR. W. W. MERRILL.

Rensselaer Physician Victim of Acute Gastritis—Had Been 11l Only Since Sut, £,«■(.«■ Dr. Warren WaHace Merrill, 54 years of age on April 29th, and for the past ten years a practicing-phy-sician in Rensselaer, was foqnd dead in his bed at his residence on Front street at about 6 o’clock this Tuesday morning. Dr. A. R. Kresler, who was called to the house, is of the opinion that he had been dead for several hours. Dr. Merr|ll was taken ill Sunday evening and during the night his condition was such that Mrs. Merrill had remained up with him the entire night. He was suffering from an attack of acute gastritis, and suffered intense pain, which seemed to center in the chest and in the region of the heart. Monday morning he was somewhat improved, but suffered considerable pain throughout the day. Mrs. Merrill was constantly at his side and did not undertake,to secure any rest until about 10 o'clock at night, when he seemed very greatly improved and in

response to his earnest pleadings she lay down on a couch near his bed and soon fell asleep. She was awakened at about 12 o’clock when the doctor arose to take a dose of medicine. He spoke to her, saying that he was all right and after he had returned tb his bed she again went to Sleep. She did not again awake until about 6 o’clock and was horrified to find on going to his bed that the body -was cold in death. She at once summoned Dr. Kresler, who was soon at the house. ; Dr. Merrill had pronounced his sickness acute gastritis and Dr. Kresler confirmed the diagnosis by an examination following death. Relatives in Chicago were notified and on the 11:30 train his two daughters, Miss Ina G. Merrill and Mrs. R. M. Bennett and the latter’s husband,

and Mrs. E. K. Cormack, a sister of Mrs. Merrill, arrived here. Mrs. Merrill bad been completely crushed at the sudden taking away of her husband and neighbors who had kindly undertaken to minister to her, found it impossible to alleviate her great sorrow. After the arrival of her two daughters and her sister, she became more composed. The funeral arrangements were made soon after the arrival of the relatives, Mr. Bennett taking an active flart It was decided to have the service held at the late residence at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon under the auspices of the Masonic order,,to which deceased had belonged for a great many years, holding membership in the South Chicago lodge. The body will be taken to Chicago on the 3:15 train and interment will be made in Oakwood cemetery. , Dr. Warren Wallace Merrill was born at Merrillville, Lake county, Indiana, April 29, 1857. His medical

education was acquired at the Bennett Medical College, Chicago. After his graduation from that school he began practice at Hammond, where he was an active practitioner for about twenty years. He then came to Rensselaer and had since practiced in this city. Dr. Merrill was a man of many excellent qualities and those who uecame intimately acquainted with him, found much to admire. was kind-hearted to a fault, friendly and Jovial, a read-, er, a thinker, a man of generous impulses and gentle manner, mid will be held in friendly remembrance by all who knew him here and elsewhere, and there is genuine sorrow among his professional and business associates at his sudden taking away. Mrs. Merrill will return to Chicago to make' her home with tier daughter, Miss Ina, who has been working there for several weeks, and where her married daughter also resides. The body of Dr. Merrill will lie In state at the residence from 12 until 2 o’clock Tuesday.