Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1913 — TEARS AND FLOWERS FOR DEAD YOUTH [ARTICLE]

TEARS AND FLOWERS FOR DEAD YOUTH

Band Led Procession That Escorted Remains of Leon Eigelsbach to Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

The body of Leon Eigelsbach reached Rensselaer on the 6:20 train Thursday evening and was taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Eigelsbach, on North Front street. This Friday morning they were taken to St. Augustine’s Catholic church and the service conducted at 9 o’clock in the presence of a large number of friends. Father Ch ristian Daniel was assistedin the service by Father Hordeman, of Frankfort; Father Gietl, of the Indian School, and Father Justin, qf St. Joseph’s college. Just a month before his death he was initiated into the order of the Knights of Columbus, joining at Lafayette, and P. M. Early and L. C. Schrader, of that city, were here to attend the funeral Mr. Early is the Grand Knight of the order. As a member of the order, Leon carried SI,OOO insurance, which will be paid to his parents. The pall bearers were Ed Robinson, Tone Overton, Van Moody, Art Battleday, Simon Thompson and Lon Healy. There were also an equal number of honorary pallbearers, composed of members of the Knights of Columbus of other cities, mainly of St. Joseph students. , The boys’ band furnished an escort and following the funeral car were the pallbearers, also largely members of the Knights of Columbus and each carrying a large Aoral offering. Many pieces were sent by friends, while the public schools, which he had not attended for two years, but where he had many friends, sent some beautiful ffowers. The local physician who took Leon to the hospital the day before the operation was performed has received a letter from Dr. McArthur, who performed the operation, and he stated that he was so shocked by the boy’s death that he had done nothing since it occurred. He felt certain when the operation was all over that the patient was in the best condition possible and that he would soon revive. He could offer no theory for the death, except that there was some weakness in the respiratory system. There has been some criticism here and not without cause that the patietit was left without the constant attention of a nurse or an interne until after he had recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic. However, it is very doubtful if anytlHng could have been done to have saved his life. This opinion is shared by the surgeon, the local physician and by John Eigelsbach, brother of the young man, who was with him when death came.