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Monday, February 10, 2020

Dr. Rowe, Mrs. Bowman, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Calvin Helms and Mr. Jesse Helms, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Thomas All Have Died, January 10, 1920

From The Monroe Journal, February 10, 1920

In Death of Dr. Rowe, Methodist Episcopal Church Loses a Pioneer. . . Beloved Former Pastor of Monroe Church Died Monday at His Home in Salisbury

There has passed in the death of Dr. J.C. Rowe a beloved and honored figure from the thinning ranks of Methodism’s pioneers. Thousands today are mourning the loss of a personal friend as well as a spiritual leader. Every one who knew him respected and admired him, but only to those who knew him as a friend were the full treasures of his kindly spirit revealed. Always unaffected and sincere, he wished no higher honor than that of doing his Christian duty and no richer privilege than his fireside and friends.

Rev. John Columbus Rowe, D.D., pastor of South Main Street Methodist Church, died at 10:40 a.m. Feb. 9th, at his home in Salisbury, death being cause by pneumonia which developed Saturday. Funeral was held this afternoon at 3 o’clock at the parsonage in Salisbury.

Dr. Rowe was born in Providence township, Rowan county, 71 years ago. He had been preaching 43 years and had filled leading pulpits in the Western North Carolina Conference and had been presiding elder of Charlotte, Salisbury, Franklin, and Statesville districts. He was pastor of Central M.E. Church, Monroe, for four years in the early nineties and again for one year in 1903-1904, and presiding elder several years later, the membership of the church being unwilling to give him up, so great was their attachment to him.

Though weak in body for a number of years, there were none with more alert mental faculties and none that drew about him more admirers or more affectionate friends than our beloved Dr. Rowe. His life was a benediction to all who knew him.

“None knew him but to love him;
None named him but to praise.”

He was heard to remark during a visit to Monroe that one of the first faces he wanted to see when he entered the New Jerusalem was the genial, smiling face of Major L.D. Andrews, who was a life-long friend and who was instrumental in bringing Dr. Rowe to Monroe for his first pastorate. No doubt they are to-day clasping glad hands in the eternal home where tears and parting are unknown.

“It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on high
To be at home with God.
It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise on strong, exulting wing,
To live among the just.”

Dr. Rowe had reached the good age of 71, had reared a large and honored family of whom we extend our deepest sympathy, and has gone to reap the reward he so justly merits.

“Servant of God well done!
Rest from they loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won
Enter thy Master’s joy.”

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In Ill Health, Mrs. Bowman Shot Herself Sunday. . . This Unfortunate Tragedy Stirs Marshville to the Depths. . . Mrs. Bowman Very Prominent, and a Faithful Church Worker

Marshville, Feb. 9—A tragedy which has thoroughly shocked and grieved the entire community occurred Sunday morning when Mrs. C.L. Bowman shot herself through the heart with a pistol. Mrs. Bowman had been very ill during the past week with influenza and was broken down from nursing others through the disease when she was taken sick. At times she was delirious, and extremely despondent, saying she was afraid she would never recover. However she was so much better that her family considered her out of danger and felt very much relieved over her condition. Sunday morning about 10 o’clock her husband, thinking she was sleeping, tiptoed out to get more coal for the fire. He had scarcely gotten out of the house when he heard the report and hastened back to find her lying in the closet with a bullet wound in her body.

Mrs. Bowman, who before her marriage was Miss Ruth Marsh, was born and reared Gilboa. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Marsh and was about 35 years old. In June, 1912, she was married to Mr. Charles Lee Bowman, and to them was born one daughter, Louise White, age 3 years. Having lived all of her life in this vicinity, she was well known and universally beloved by the ones with whom she came in contact. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church, giving great attention to religious affairs, always prompt in attendance at all religious meetings and among the first to go when hearing of anyone in distress or need of help. For years she had been treasurer of the woman’s missionary society of the Methodist church, and was very much interested in the subject of missions. She was a woman of wonderful executive ability and of calm, practical disposition. Her devotion to her little daughter was beautiful and frequently spoken of among her friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman had a year or two ago completed a lovely home here, and life was full and happy for her surrounded as she was by life long friends and her entire family. The dread disease of influenza attacked her when she was physically run down to lowest ebb and settling on her nerves caused the unfortunate act which ended a bright and useful life.

She is survived by her husband and daughter and the following brothers and sisters: Messrs. Cull, Benson, Steve, Erastus, and Fess Marsh; Mesdames Ed M. Marsh, Sallie Marsh Griffin, and W.G. Hearon. The interment will be in the Gilboa cemetery Monday afternoon, Rev. S. Taylor conducting the services.

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Bascom Bailey, a Leading Marshville Citizen, Dead. . . Influenza and Pneumonia Caused Well-Known Business Man to Succumb. . . Was Only About 30 Years Old

Marshville, Feb. 9—One of the saddest deaths to occur in the history of the town was that of Mr. J. Bascom Bailey on Sunday morning about 11 o’clock. Mr. Bailey was taken ill with influenza about two weeks ago and at once developed pneumonia and later pleurisy. Everything that medical service could do was done to save him, but an all wise God deemed him ready for his eternal reward and took him home. There was no man in Marshville more generally esteemed than Bascom Bailey. Born and raised in Marshville, he lived his entire life within the community and leaves behind him an enviable record of a life well spent. Though only about 30 years old he was one of the foremost business men of the town, being of an industrious disposition. He was for a number of years connected with the United Cash Sore then known as the Davis-Ross Company, but for the past two years he had been a partner of the Bailey-Davis firm. He was ever upright and honorable in his business relations, which won for him many friends. Mr. Bailey was a son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bailey. Early in life he was married to Miss Annie Marsh. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church and an earnest worker in religious affairs. He rendered valuable service during the late centenary drive of the church, giving both his time and money. He will be greatly missed in the church, for his place was scarcely ever vacant at a service. His death just in the prime of young manhood when life held so much in store for him is one of the mysteries which the finite human cannot comprehend, but which is as it should be coming from Him who doeth all things well. The town is stirred to the depths of sorrow this morning over the removal of two of the best known and universally beloved of its members. Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, his parents and the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. H.T. McBride, Misses Kate, Mattie, and Annie Wade Bailey; Ellis Lee, Spofford and Tom Bailey. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Seymore Taylor of Morven Monday morning at 11 o’clock and the interment was in the Marshville cemetery.

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Calvin W. Helms Dies

Mr. Calvin W. Helms died Sunday morning at his home a few miles from Marshville of pneumonia. Mr. Helms was a splendid man, an industrious farmer noted for his honesty, and his death, removing form the county such a desirable citizen, is deplored by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife and several children. Funeral Arrangement have not been made.

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Death of Mrs. James Mills
Mrs. James Mills died Sunday morning at her home three miles east of Pageland after an illness of four weeks. Her husband and five or six children survive. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning by Rev. R.W. Cato, and interment was in Smyrna cemetery. Deceased was a native of Union county, and was a daughter of Mrs. Sallie Timmons. She was a Christian woman, and was liked by everyone for her good qualities.

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Death of Mrs. Thomas

Following a week’s illness of influenza and pneumonia, Mrs. W.M. Thomas died here at her home near the graded school building Monday morning. She is survived by her husband, three children, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Ella Montgomery, Mrs. Connie Richardson, Mrs. Odessa Polk, and Messrs. Brady, Roscoe and Milas Griffin. Mrs. Thomas was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Griffin, and was born in the Mountain Springs community 39 years ago. She was a faithful member of the Baptist church, a good neighbor and mother.

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Jesse D. Helms Dead

Mr. Jesse D. Helms died suddenly at his home in North Monroe Saturday. Funeral services were held yesterday morning, and interment was in High Hill cemetery.

Deceased is survived by his wife, five sons and three daughters. The sons are Messrs. Jesse Helms and Vann P. Helms of Monroe, Sylvester Helms of Charlotte, Octavius Helms of Norfolk, Va., and Jonas Helms of San Francisco, Calif. The daughters are Mrs. William Crook of Monroe, Mrs. Joseph Andrews of Concord, and Miss Lola Helms of Monroe. Mr. Wilson Helms of Marshville is a brother and Mrs. Wm. Benton of Unionville is a sister of the deceased.

Mr. Helms was an honest, Christian citizen, a good neighbor, and loyal to his friends. He was 77 years old last July. Mr. Helms was a Confederate veteran and volunteered in Co. B., 15th N.C. regiment, and his company was the first to leave Union county when the war between the States was declared. He served during the war and made a brave and true soldier.

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