Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1915 — TAPS FOR “BALLY" POWERS. [ARTICLE]

TAPS FOR “BALLY" POWERS.

Another Old Soldier Mustered Out In Rensselaer Saturday Evening. William F. Powers, who had been in poor health for several months and was confined to his home on River street, died suddenly at 6:45 o’clock Saturday evening of acute heart disease. Mr. Powers had been confined to his home all winter with an old injury to liis limb, caused from a gunshot wound in the civil war, pnd other ailments, but was apparently getting along nicely and the fine weather tempted him out of doors Thursday, when he told Airs. Powers that he wanted to go out and look at the river. He was a great fisherman, and the call of the fishing season was too gieat for him to resist, and lie had to have a look at the old Iroquois anyhow. Sir Mrs. Powers got, his crutches for him and assisted him down to the river bank, in the rear of their home Thursday afternoon.

Friday, he came up town, John Robinson bringing him up in an an tomobilo. and he walked back home on his crutches. About 6 o’clock Saturday evening he was taken with a severe,pain jn bis side and although doctors were hurriedly summoned, ho passed away in a very short time. There were three doctors at liis side, hut nothing could he done to stay the hand of the Great Commander. Air. Powers was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1841, and came to Rensselaer in Alarch, 1845, with his parents, Air and Mrs. Henry Powers, v r ho moved here from near Ft. AVayne with Air. and Airs. Amriah Tharp. All drove through from Ft. Wayne by team, and Rensselaer was a sorry looking “town” at that time, there, being less than a half-dozen buildings ihere in all, while the Indians were still about this locality and wild game was in abundance. Except for a few years spent in the west, this has since been his home. Except for his cousin, “Aunt” Ma.-y Jane Hopkins, who came here at the same time he did, he was the oldest pioneer resident of Rensselaer. 'Be is survived by a widow and a step-son, Fred Cissel, who was more like a real son than a step-son to him. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Hemphill of Onarga, 111., and Mrs. John H. Brown of near Lisbon, N. D. Both were notified of his death and Mrs. Hemphill and husband came Sunday, while Airs. Brown notified them that she .would come and to hold off the funeral until her arrival. Her telegram was received Sunday evening, and it was expected that she would reach here yesterday. The funeral was held at the house at 3 ]>. ni., yesterday, conducted by C. Parrett of the Presbyterian church, and burial made in Weston cemetery, the old soldiers having charge of the burial ceremonies. Air. Powers would have been 84 years old in April. He served in the 1 •‘th Indiana regiment in the civil war.