Salem (IN) Democrat, December 23, 1898, p. 1. The item below was
abbreviated from the original as noted by the ellipsis.
WILEY HARRISON HAMILTON
Wiley Harrison Hamilton was born July 28, 1877, in Washington County,
Indiana, and died of consumption at San Antonio, Texas, December 25th, 1898,
aged 21 years, (illegible) months and 26 days. He was the eldest son of Mr.
and Mrs. James Hamilton, well known residents of this township.
Wiley left his pleasant home last June for Kansas hoping that a change of
climate could benefit him. His Aunt Jane accompanied him and tenderly cared
for and nursed her nephew who gradually, however, grew weaker. The father,
James N. Hamilton, joined his sick son in July and conveyed him to Colorado
Springs. This change was beneficial and the son, becoming better, Mr.
Hamilton came home in August and sent the boy's mother to nurse and care for
him. She remained until the end came last Thursday. Mr. Hamilton joined
his wife and son at Colorado Springs in October and remained about four
weeks. At this visit, the father lost all hopes of his son's recovery and
proposed to him to return home. But Wiley hoped, and at his suggestion the
return home was postponed. Mrs. Hamilton says that when she joined her son
in September he seemed cheerful and lively and entertained hopes of
recovery. She was quite hopeful herself, expecting a change for the better
as the season advanced and looked forward to a pleasant return home in the
spring. In November, however, his sufferings were increased by heart
trouble and his mother took him to San Antonio, Texas. Here the weather was
warm and pleasant and Wiley seemed to enjoy it and improve a little.
Sitting on the porch in the warm sun he would talk about and expressed a
desire to return. But news reaching him about the snow and cold weather, he
said he would await the coming of spring. His father again joined him last
Thursday in time to witness the closing scene.
During his entire sickness he was continually asking about his friends,
classmates and teachers at home. Many of them wrote him letters of cheer
and comfort and, although unable to send responses, he asked his parents to
tell his friends how cheerful those letters made him. The bible was his
constant companion.
Wiley was a faithful and earnest member of the M. E. Church and the Epworth
League. He was a member of the class of '97 Salem High School and only
prevented from attending the graduation exercise by sickness.
His body reposes in Crown Hill Cemetery in the town in which he spent his
few happy years. In the hearts and affection so his youthful classmates and
friends, his memory will linger for years to come.