Homer Cassingham Obituary

The creation of the romancer’s brain of cases where individuals have disappeared from the gaze of their friends and acquaintances to reappear after a longer or shorter term of years, has had its counterpart in the city of La Harpe. Sixteen years ago Homer Cassingham, of this city, left friends and home for the western country and was lost to them as completely as though the earth had opened up and swallowed him. Letter after letter was written and efforts of all kinds were made to get some trace of him, but they failed to disclose his whereabouts until he unexpectedly made his appearance in La Harpe June 24th last to the joy of the friends who had almost given up any hope of ever seeing him again on this earth. He gave the following history of his wanderings: He first went to Iowa; after being there five years, went into Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. In the latter part of February last he sent a letter to his brother, Wm. R. Cassingham, dated Shrevesport, Louisiana, stating that he was in the hospital there for treatment for an abdominal tumor of an extremely large size. After writing the letter he started for Hot Springs, Ark., to use the waters there. From there he made his way to St. Louis, Mo. for a consultation with a surgeon in regard to a removal of the tumor by operation. The surgeon being in the east, Mr. Cassingham determined to come home and see his friends once more. After staying in this city a few weeks be went to our neighboring city, Macomb, to see Dr. Bacon, who advised a consultation with Chicago surgeons. Acting on this advice Wednesday of last week he took train for the Garden City, and is there now awaiting the results of their decision. A letter received from him Tuesday by Robert Tarman states that he is enjoying himself visiting the parks and pleasure resorts and is in good spirits with the hope of being rid of the enormous tumor with which he is afflicted.

Later.-Mr. Cassingham arrived in Larpe [sic] from Chicago yesterday noon. He is made happy by the decision of the surgeons that he is suffering from enlargement of the spleen and liver as a result of life in the Louisiana swamps. They give him assurances of his recovery.

[Note: He actually died a few months later. See below.]

Died near Clofton, Kansas, Oct. 5th, 1892, Homer B. Cassingham, aged 43 years, 4 months and 3 days. The subject of this sketch was born in Muskingum county, O., June 2, 1849 and was the youngest child of Richard and Margaret Cassingham. In 1852, the family moved from Ohio and located near La Harpe, Ill., Homer was but a child of four years when the family moved to this community. It was here that he was raised, working on a farm and acquiring such an education as the common school afforded. When he became of age, or shortly after, he went to Kansas, but only remained there about one year and then returned home. In a short time however he started out again, this time to be absent from home for many years going from place to place and from state to state until last June he returned to La Harpe, and while here made his home with his brother Wm. Cassingham. He was afflicted years with some internal trouble which ripened into a tumor, and last July it was thought best for him to go to Chicago for treatment, but as nothing could be done to relieve him he returned to La Harpe. On the 27th of September, he, in company with Wm. Casssingham and wife, went to visit their brother George Cassingham in Rice county Kansas, and while there, enjoying his visit and apparently in his usual health, and on the 5th of Oct. in company with his nephew started out for a days ride over the country, but just before they reached the end of the journey he was taken very sick, being only a short distance from the place to which they were going, they hurried on hoping undoubtedly to find assistance and relief at the end of the journey. But although kind hands ministered as best they could, to give relief was beyond human effort, and in less than two hours he had passed over to that land from whence no traveler ever returns. On the next day his remains were taken to the home of his brother George’s and the following day the funeral services were conducted by Rev. Brubaker, who delivered an excellent discourse, basing his remarks on the twelfth chapter of Job.

The remains were interred in Graceland cemetery, Lyons, Kansas. We trust the Lord will comfort his brothers and sisters in their sad bereavement.