Ogdensburg Advance, Feb 9, 1888
Death of Colonel Alvah W Briggs and Wife.
Nothing has been heard with such feeling of sympathy and regret as the sudden death of Col Alvah W. Briggs and the remarkable death of his wife, which occurred within forty hours of that of her husband. They were residents of Chicago, but were well-known in Ogdensburg, where each had spent a portion of their lives. After breakfast on the morning of Jan. 31, Mr. Briggs bade his wife good bye, and remarking that he would not be back until dinner time, (they took dinner in the evening), went to Englewood on business. After arriving at Englewood he had a fainting spell, but revived on the use of restoratives sufficiently to finish transacting some business in which he was engaged. He was suddenly taken sick again and asked that a physician should be called, which was promptly done. He was put into a carriage and accompanied by three of the clerks and reclining upon the shoulder of one of them, was driven to his residence, which was about four miles distant. On his arrival he was carried into the house with the assistance of a gentleman, who was passing. Restoratives were sent for and also the family physician. When he arrived he pronounced the patient dead. The cause of his death was congestive apoplexy. Three years ago he had had a partial attack of paralysis. He was 51 years of age. His wife at first refused to believe that her husband was dead. She remained with her dead until she was called away that the body might be prepared for the grave.

At first she bore up better than it was expected. The blow had come so suddenly that she failed to realize it. She even arranged some of the details of the funeral. As the realization, of her trouble grew upon her she became prostrated with agony. At night the family physician was again sent for. He found her in a very low condition and administered stimulants. Her condition grew steadily worse. She could not sleep, and passed the long hours in alternate suffering and unconsciousness. While conscious her mind constantly reverted to her trouble and grief. On Wednesday and Wednesday night she was in terrible physical pain and kept placing her hand on her side and moaning: "Oh my heart, my heart!" She felt from the beginning that she could not survive her husband's death, and said in an interval of consciousness: "If I die before Thursday, bury me with Alvah". She expired between three and four Thursday morning. She was 41 years of age. The husband and wife were members of St John's Reformed Episcopal church at Chicago, and were among its original founders in 1877. Funeral services were held in their church at Chicago immediately before their remains were brought to this city, accompanied by Mrs. Briggs' brother, Mr. Duncan Bacon, of Indianapolis, who had been telegraphed for. Funeral services were held in this city at St. John's church, on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were warmly attached to each other. They were inseparable, and such an instance of marital felicity is seldom seen. It is believed that had Mrs. Briggs died first that her husband would not have survived her death.

Alvah W. Briggs was the son of Deacon Wm. Briggs, of Lisbon. His only brother, Chas. Briggs, is now living in Lisbon. He raised Company D., of the 106 regiment, and fought thro' the civil war, returning at the close colonel of his regiment. He went to Chicago twenty years ago and engaged in business as Agent of the Union Tank Lines. He married Mary T. Bacon, daughter of the late H. T. Bacon, of this city, eighteen years ago, and returned immediately to Chicago, where be has since resided. Mrs. Briggs at the time of her death was postmistress of the Cottage Grove branch of the Chicago post-office. Her sunny smile and cheerful greeting were familiar to those whose business brought them in contact with her. The floral offerings by the friends of the loving couple were numerous and exceptionally beautiful.