Emma Baker
Born: October 16th, 1855
Died: August 5th, 1924
Obituary
Joyous excitement killed Mrs. Emma Baker, aged 70, of 728 Lewis Street, who was stricken with heart disease and sank unconscious and dying on the train platform at Burlington station last night.
The fatal attack came as she extended her arms in welcome to two lifelong friends, Mrs. Louise Tyger of Virginia, Ill., whom Mrs. Charles Tendrick of Jacksonville, Ill., whom Mrs. Baker had summoned to Burlington for a happy reunion.
“Heart disease, brought on by a joyful excitement, caused Mrs. Baker’s death,” Coroner Prugh said after he had been called to the station and took charge of the body.
The visitors reached Burlington on train No. 11 and started up the train sheds to meet Mrs. Baker, who had waited anxiously for the train to come. As they neared her she was seen to succumb and would have fallen if a man standing nearby had not caught her and supported her form until Martin Miller, stationmaster, secured a wheelchair. She was hurried to the women’s waiting room and Dr. C.E. Kauffman called. Mr. Miller held her pulse, and within ten minutes and before the physician arrived, it ceased to beat.
Grief-stricken and with all the plans for a week of happy reunion blasted, Mrs. Tygert and Mrs. Tendrick watched the end. They are now with Mrs. V. A. Lyons, a sister of Mrs. Baker, with whom she lived.
Mrs. Baker, the widow of Dr. O.E. Baker was born in Dodgeville, October 16, 1854, the daughter of George Gearhart. She married Dr. O. E. Baker and lived with him in Ottumwa, Peoria, and Chicago, Ill. Five weeks ago she came to Burlington to make her home with Mrs. Lyons and to plan for a reunion visit with her childhood friends from Illinois.
Mrs. Baker leaves one son, Oswald Baker of Chicago; four sisters, Mrs. V. A. Lyons, Mrs. Alice Kline of Red Oak, Ia., Mrs. Amelia Lyons of Mitchell, S.D., Miss Lillie Gearhart of Tarkio, Mo., and four brothers, Frank and Douglas Gearhart of Shenandoah, Ia., E. H. and Robert Gearhart of Tarko. Five grandchildren survive her.
Funeral services Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock from the residence of her sister, Mrs. V.A. Lyons, 728 Lewis Street. Internment in Aspen Grove Cemetery.