Jan 29, 1897

Last Sat. morning a 8 oclock the silent messenger of death again made its presence felt in our midst and bore from earth to a better world the soul of a devoted wife an mother. Mrs Jacob Schuessler had been quite sick for a few days, but few indeed were prepared for the shocking intelligence of her death when it came. Mrs Schuessler had been a strong, healthey woman and few outside of her family knew of her illness, so that the truth was hard to realize. Ah,how often does death have surprise for us!

Frances Augusta Hick was born in Nassau, Germany, May 21, 1842, and with her parents Henry and Elizabeth Hick, came to Mason county Texas in 1846, and married Jacob Schuessler Dec. 20, 1859. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom seven are living and six dead. Those who survive the dear mother are Mrs Nannie Smith of this place, Mrs Louise Broad of Brownwwod, Misses Carri and Mary at home, Will and Gus of Mason, and Charles of Eagle Pass.

Of these all were present for the latter, to attend the funeral Sunday afternoon, conducted Rev. H. Drienke of the German Lutheran Church, of which denomination deceased was an active and devoted member for many years. Mrs Broad arrived duly in time to look upon the loving face - cold in death. Charles, the absent son, was hindered by the long distance and the fact that the remains could not be kept until his arrival, and with a broken heart he writes his sister, Carrie that he cannot bear the thought of coming home and not finding a welcome from his mother; to miss seeing the face of her whom he has not seen for a year and must never more see in a bitter thought; but though they can not recall the dear mother, he says let us all hope that some day we will meet in heaven where we shall never part; let hope that God has her safely in His arms; that he will guide us through life until we meet her there. How true it is that a child's best friend is it's mother, and now we have lost that loving one. Though I have always been from home, I have daily thought of my mother, and today I shed bitter tears that she has been called away from us, though I know to a better home in heaven May God be with us till we meet again.

Only the consolation that an All Wise Father can give can sustain the companion bereft of that one who has shared his joys and sorrows for near 40 years. To Miss Carri is the blow a severe one, and the young daughter so much in need of a mother's loving care must now look to others for that which only a mother can give.