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Show DEATH OF MRS. E. H. CANNON. The news of Mrs. Elizabeth Cannon's demise will not occasion surprise, the fact of her being extremely feeble for nearly two weeks being well known. This intelligence will, however, be received with profound regret by the thousands of people who enjoyed the pleasure of her acquaintance; and by whom she was held in universal esteem and affection. The sympathy they felt for the sorrowing husband and family and other relatives is necessarily deep and universal in the community. Slight hopes were entertained of her recovery until yesterday (Wednesday) morning, when Mrs. Cannon herself gave up all thoughts of surviving. She requested her brother-in-law, President Angus M. Cannon, to pray to the Lord to relieve her from suffering and take her to himself. She also desired to take leave of those of her children who were at home, which she did, so far as she had strength. Taking an affectionate farewell of her eldest daughter Mary Alice she advised her to be good and true and to be a guide to the younger children. During this time Mary Alice had been heroically suppressing the powerful emotions by which she was moved, for fear of distressing her mother. When she got sufficiently far from the bedside, she broke down. When Mrs. Cannon bade adieu to her youngest child Sylvester, and blessed him, the scene was so strikingly pathetic that every person in the room was melted to tears of sympathy. The deceased also took an affectionate farewell of her sister Emily and her brother John, and spoke of their unvarying kindness to her. Speaking of her absent husband, whom she loved with the full strength of womanly devotion, she said she had no special message for him, as he understood her feelings, which were deeper than words could express. She also expressed herself to the effect that her two eldest sons, John Q., now on a mission in England, and Abram H. on a mission in Switzerland, would do well, and requested their uncle, Angus ??. Cannon, to tell them not to falter in well doing. Although there was probably nothing on earth that Sister Cannon would have more desired than to have but her husband by her bedside during her last moments, she would not suffer her natural feelings to interfere with her strong sense of duty, and on Monday the 23d inst., she dictated the following dispatch to him: "Remain at your post. God can raise Saints, if it is his will, in answer to ?? there as well as if you were here. All is being done for me that can be done." Here was exhibited a heroic trait, that was a key to the noble character of the woman. Something of the devotion of Brother Cannon to the interests of te people he represents is exhibited in the same connection. Those who are in any way acquainted with him know the intensity of his affection for his family-his great love for his departed wife. No personal consideration that could be named could have kept him away from the bedside of his dying wife. On the 24th he telegraphed to that effect to his brother Angus M., but stating that his duty to the people required his presence in the Capital. The following telegram has been received from President Geo. Q. Cannon containing instructions in relation to the funeral services of his late wife, Mrs. E. H. Cannon: Washington, D. C., January 26th To Angus M. Cannon: Keep the children constantly in company. They must not yield to grief. Have no gloomy trappings at the funeral; no black about the coffin. Make it of natural wood if possible, varnished and comely. Bury next to the children in my lot. Cannot show too much respect to her worth, but avoid everything like a painful impression on the children. If she expressed wishes execute them. Write them in full and send me a copy. Tell the children for my sake to bear up. George Q. Cannon. The funeral services were held last Sunday morning at the Fourteenth Ward school house, Salt Lake City. |