STREET, Martha Elizabeth "Mattie" (KIER)

KIER, STREET, WELLS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/12/2018 at 19:03:52

Martha Elizabeth "Mattie" (Kier) Street
December 28, 1878 ~ June 08, 1914

The Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, June 14, 1914, Page 1

Mrs. George [Martha Elizabeth "Mattie"] Street, a daughter of Samuel Kier of Decatur City, died at the hotel at Diagonal Monday [June 8, 1914], while enroute to Decatur City. Mrs. Street had been in failing health for some time, and realizing that she could not recover, had expressed a desire to be brought to the home of her father. in company with her husband they started from their home in Missouri, and while at the hotel in Diagonal, waiting for the train she passed away. Her body was brought to Decatur City Monday evening, the funeral being held Wednesday afternoon.

Transcriber's Note: Mattie was born December 28, 1878, at Decatur, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel Martin and Martha Mahala (Wells) Kier. She married George Street July 18, 1897. Interment was made at Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Iowa.

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In another column, First page:

First Auto Funeral in Decatur County.

F. S. Stewart, Leon's undertaker, conducted the first auto funeral ever witnessed in Decatur County, on Tuesday, it being the funeral of Mr. John W. Keeler, who died at the home of his son, B. W. Keeler, just across the line in Clarke county, a distance of 13 1/2 miles from Leon. The family desired an auto funeral, so Mr. Stewart had irons made for his ambulance wagon and the hearse, which could be attached to the rear of his auto, and the hearse was used as a trailer.The funeral was held Tuesday and the trip to Leon was made in good shape, there being seventeen autos in the funeral procession. It was an innovation, but one which has come to stay, especially where long drives are necessary. The friends were saved a long and wearisome ride in buggies, and many were able to attend who did not have horses which could stand the long drive.

The auto hearse was also used at the funeral of Mrs. Street at Decatur City yesterday.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018