OBITUARY.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10974, 14 March 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Last Monday (Feb. 15th) another of Nelson's oldest settlers was called away to join the great majority. MM Thorn was born in Keith, and brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland, and landed in Nelson from the good ship Maori, about 50 years ago, m company with her first husband, Mr John Sheppard,and their three young children. After enduring the hardships that fell to the lot of the bray* old pioneers who worked so hard to make the wilderness blossom like the rose, her husband was called away* leaving her with a family of 7 to face the world alone. After a period of widowhood had passed, she married Mr John Thorn, a Dovedale settler, with a growing family, to whom > she acted well a mother's part. Since Mr Thorn's death, nearly 12 years ago, she has resided chiefly amongst friends, not caring to establish » permanent home, and fell into tht sleep that knows no waking, nt Schroeder's Accommodation House, where she had in Mrs Schroder a most kind and devoted nurse. Mrs Henry Schwass also rendered her great kindness during her last illness, and all the other neighbors afforded much kindly help throughout the funeral arrangements. The remains were interred in the grave of. her first husband, at Wakapuaka, by her special wish. Had the cemetery been nearer Dovedale the funeral would have been largely attended. Mrs Thorn leaves behind her all her family of seven children, consisting of one son and six daughters, 23 grandchildren, and three great-grand children. Her memory will be long cherished by the many persona to whom she showed kindness and hospitality in former days. Suddew Death.—-On Monday afternoon, about half-past one, Thomas Gardner, who was seventy-six years old, left his home in St. Vincent street. A few minutes after Miss O. Burn found the old man lying on the ground, between the gate and bridge leading to Mr James Burn's residence, which was about two hundred yards from deceased's home. Miss Burn called her grandfather, but Gardner was beyond assistance, and expired immediately. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon before Mr Robinson, Coroner, and the following jurors:—Messrs B. H. Moller (foreman), A. Millar, T. W. Bradshaw, G. B. Oollyns, James Merry, and J. R. Barltrop. The post mortem (made by Dr. Andrew) revealing disease of the heart as the cause of death. A verdict in accordance with this fact; was returned.