Hon. E. W. POE - is called suddenly from health to death. Distinguished Ex-State official succumbs to a Stroke of Apoplexy. President McKinley and Senator Foraker Send Condolences - York Lodge to Have Charge of Funeral.
A deep gloom is hanging over this community by the sorrowing news conveyed in the death of the late Hon. E.W. Poe, Sunday morning. His sad demise took place at his home at 691 Bryden Road, at 11 o'clock Sunday morning after an illness of but 13 hours. Being as it was, one of such extreme suddenness and so unexpected, it cames as a great shock.
Mr. Poe partook of an unusually hearty supper Saturday night, and commented upon this fact to his wife and family. He was feeling very well, as he had felt during his whole life almost. His health had always been in excellent condition. After supper he walked down the street, as has been his custom, boarding a Main street car. At Fourth street, he complained of feeling badly and got off the car, when he fell to vomiting considerably. Kind friends in the vicinity hastened him to Dr. Kahn's office near Mound and Fourth. The ambulance was quickly summoned and conveyed him to his residence. Mr. Poe was semi-conscious all this time, but was hardly able to recognize any of his immediate friends even, except his wife.
As he was taken into the house and laid carefully down, Mrs. Poe came in, frantic with fear and anxiety and stooped to kiss her husband. He was heard to lisp "momma" several times. With the exception of Mr. D. K. Watson, his next door neighbor, it could not be stated that he knew anyone. Medical attention was immediately called, but it was evident that the end was near approaching. Mr. Poe had been seized with a stroke of apoplexy and a paralysis of the brain and tongue. He lingered on peacefully until shortly before his death. At 11 o'clock, when the end did come, there were watching at his bedside, his son, Mr. Charles W. Poe, and Mr. Harry Simons, son-in-law of Mr. Poe. Mr. Simons said that he had his arms around Mr. Poe when he commenced to breathe his last, dying in the arms almost, after giving but one or two weak struggles. Mrs. Poe and her two daughters were near at the time. In an incomparably brief moment of time the terrible calamity was imparted to friends. Many became the calls and expressions of surprise and sympathy.
So full of life no one entertained a thought for an instant but that Mr. Poe was enjoying perfect health and had bright prospects of a long continuance of his particularly happy lot in this world. Mr. Poe was most favorably known among a wide circle of people as a man of high character and noble impulses, and one prominent in the affairs of the city and the state, both of which he had served as a leading citizen and official. For eight years, during the administrations of Governors Foraker and McKinley, as state executives, Mr. Poe was auditor of state, being twice elected by the people to that high office. At the state convention of his party held in Zanesville, 1895, he was a prominent figure for the gubernatorial nomination, when Governor Bushnell was first chosen.
The home life of Mr. Poe was beautiful one, blessed by Providence with the companionship of a lovable - now heart broken - wife, and three children, all of whom survive him. His children are a son, Charles W. Poe, aged 25 years, and two daughters, Mrs. Harry Simons and Miss Ethel Poe, a young lady of 13 years. Mr. Poe was 52 years of age, having been born on a farm in Hancock County, near Findlay, on November 11, 1846. At the age of 16 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-third O.V.I., for the war. He was a member of the G.A. R., Masons, Knights of Pythias and other orders. Telegrams were sent to President McKinley, with whom deceased was warmly acquainted, Senator Foraker and others, and the flag at the state house was ordered displayed at half-mast by Governor Bushnell.
Replies were received from both named above, conveying their condolences to Mrs. Poe and family:
Washington, D.C., June 19, TO Hon. W.D. Guilbert, State Auditor: Please convey to Mrs. Poe and the family the sincere sympathy of Mrs. McKinley and myself. WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Washington, D.C., June 19, TO Hon. W.D. Guilbert, State Auditor: Please convey to Mrs. Poe and the family my deep and heart-felt sympathy with them in their great affliction. Their husband and father was a generous and noble-hearted man, whose memory will long be cherished by innumerable friends. J.B. FORAKER
State Auditor W.D. Guilbert has had the funeral arrangements in charge. They are to be held at the late home of the deceased at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Dr. Macafee, of the Broad Street M.E. church officiating. Mr. Poe and family have long been members of the Broad Street Methodist Church. Interment will be had at Greenlawn cemetery where York lodge, F. & A.M., will take charge of the burial. The pall-bearers are taken from among deceased's intimate friends and are as follows: Mr. E.O. Mosier, Hon. W.D. Guilbert, Hon. R. M. Rownd, Hon. D.K. Watson, Mr. William Fisher, Captain Orrin Henry, Major W.O. Talford, and Mr. C. D. Hillis.
The funeral will be in charge of York lodge, No. 563, F.& A.M., of which Mr. Poe was a member. The members of the lodge will meet at the lodge room, corner High Street and Fifth Avenue, at 12:30 standard time, and take street cars in a body for the residence. After the service at the house the lodge will escort the funeral cortege as far as the court house where street cars will be taken for Greenlawn Cemetery. The lodge invites all regular Masons in the city to join with them in the ceremonies.
