Person:Rebecca Hayden (6)

The story as told by Juanita (Dowell) Vaughn states that Rebecca became quite ill with walking consumption (tuberculosis) and knew she was going to die, so in October 1889 Rebecca was on her way to Colorado (possibly Pueblo) to her sister Emily, who would take care of Rebecca's three youngest children. Rebecca only made it as far as Edgerton, Missouri where her mother and sister Sue were living.

The following is transcribed from a letter that was discovered in June 2006 in the Bible of Mary E. (Barnes) Gauld (1875-1968), daughter of Rebecca's sister, Sophia S. (Hayden) Barnes.

"Edgerton, Mo., Oct the 11 '89

Dear sisters and family,

I take the sad task of telling you that Beck is dead. She died Sunday night -- 15 minutes before nine, 6th of Oct -- 25 years ago that day she was married.

She talked about you so much and said she believed if you knew how bad she was you would come and see her. She died so happy talked to us all and told us to meet her in heaven and to tell you all she said to meet her in heaven. She said oh ma I am so happy don't weep for me weep for these that is left behind. Tell them to prepare for this hour. She said Jesus can save them he has saved me. My way is clear I have no fears. I can see Jesus but you all can't -- a little while and I will go after -- she was struck with death she sang one verse of asleep in Jesus blessed sleep . . . I will never forget that voice though it is now hushed in death. Oh . . . wish you could have heard her talk. We dressed her in white cashmere[?] trimmed in satin. Buried her at our church grave yard. Funeral by our pastor . . . for me to live is Christ but to die is gain. A large crowd attended the burial. . . .

Sue"

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Find A Grave.

   Rebecca J. Dowell