Another Pioneer Gone!
John R. Bourn is Dead!
Death under all circumstances, is a solemn visitation. Whether he comes after a lingering, wearing disease, or suddenly, as in the case with our friend.
Tuesday evening, Mr. Bourn hitched up his team to the wagon to haul some water, and after the work was completed, he unhitched the horses, as he thought, but left one trace attached. He started the horses to the barn, and the horse who was still hitched, became alarmed, jerked the wagon around and the front wheel caught him between it and a tree which stood in the door yard, and crushed him fearfully, breaking his back, hip and crushing his bowels. He lived about an hour and a half, when death put a period to his sufferings.
Mr. Bourn was in his 73d year and no man in Pettis county was more universally respected than the subject of this notice. He was born in Kentucky, came to this state in 1834, settled in Pettis, on Spring Fork, six miles south of this city, where he has resided ever since. He represented Pettis county in the Lower House of the General Assembly some years ago, and in all the relations of life, Jno. R. Bowen (sic) commanded the respect and confidence of a people who only knew him to respect him.
He leaves a wife, five children, and seven grand-children and a very large circle of friends to mourn his melancholy taking off.
Mr. Bowen (sic) suffered intensely after his injury, but maintained his consciousness until a few minutes before his death and died in the full consciousness that he had never wronged a human being.
He was buried last evening at 4 o'clock, in the family burying ground on the farm where he lived so long, and where he met his melancholy death.
Source: Sedalia Daily Democrat, 23 Sep 1875
Submitter: Cathy Warbritton
Mr. Bourn's Funeral
We are indebted to Major Wm Beck, of this city, who was present, for the particulars of Mr. John R. Bowen's (sic) funeral, which took place at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The Major informs us that there were at least 200 persons present, all anxious to testify their respect, and evince their affection for the honored dead. At a few minutes before 4 o'clock, the procession formed in front of his late residence, marched to the family burying ground, on a hill in the timber, some 500 yards from the house. There is a well cared for cemetery where the Higgins', the Shys', the Bohons', the Bourns' and other old citizens quietly sleep under the bluegrass sward.
Reaching the grave, the remains were taken in charge by Liberty Grange, and interred according to the Grange ritual, the Master making some impressive remarks, both before and after the body was consigned to the grave. When the body was lowered to its cold bed, flowers were profusely strewn on the coffin, by the gentlemen first, then by the ladies. There were several persons from Sedalia present, and the immediate friends and neighbors nearly all attended.
Major Beck assures us he never attended a more impressive or affecting funeral in his life and he says he never saw a burying ground where death seemed to be robbed of its terrors, more than on that grassy hill, where all that is mortal of John R. Bourn sleeps so quietly and peacefully. Truly, a good man rests here.
Source: Sedalia Daily Democrat
Submitter: Cathy Warbritton