Show ELDER SIMMONS DEATH the following letter brings anxiously looked for information of the circumstances connected with the death of elder edgar 0 turkey feb 6 1890 to the arst presidency of the chyroh of jesus christ of latter dv day saints ants beloved brethren it becomes my painful duty to communicate to you the sorrowful news that our dear brother in christ and follow fellow laborer elder edgar D simmons departed this life day before yesterday tuesday the ath of february 1890 at 2 9 p pm cafter after a sickness of two weeks of which the laet eight days have been very painful he died of smallpox his ells last moments however were peaceful his voice began to fall fail him gradually burho during the last days of his bis sickness and ang during the vat day he was almost unable to speak but he was able to understand questions put to him this is a sorrowful event for the whole church of jesus christ as also Is for the relatives of the deceased but it is a consolation to us all that he be died as a faithful member in the church the funeral took place yesterday february fth at 3 rpm pm in the armenian cemetery the protestant priest told brother that provided we wished it so B he would would speak at the services and on account of my inability to make a speech in the turkish language I 1 gave my consent at the appointed time he came and after the body was put in the coffin he spoke in the house bouse as well as also afterwards at the grave I 1 have dressed departed our brother as well as I 1 had understanding to do and ordered the corn coffi u painted white I 1 found on the arrival of the coffin that it was covered with white cloth tacked all ail over it and on the corners and edges were black strips and black rosettes fastened with drass brass headed nails on account of it being already over and above the allotted time to keep a corpse we had to hurry to put the body into the coffin and left everything as described bed I 1 do not know the ach e address of brother edgar D simmons rela tives aives therefore I 1 ask aak you to kindly inform them as likewise to express to them my best regards and condolence it would have given me great satisfaction if brother simmons could have h ive returned to his beloved ones at home but god had ordained it otherwise it was a hard bard time for the departed because be had the malady in the very worst degree just now I 1 received a telegram from my stepfather G grau at haifa syria to leave this place and therefore as soon as I 1 can make it possible to go I 1 shall do so and will take brother simmons effects with me to haifa and his relatives can there write to me ine their address and directions concerning his things please let this suffice as this letter has to be posted right away my best regards to the fief t presidency hoping this letter may find you all well your brother in the gospel |