* Alonzo De Mot Holmes*

~Son of Stephen and Mary (Worden) Holmes (who are also buried here in Salter's Grove).


Died at the residence of Charles Browse, May 20, Mot Holmes

Alonzo De Mot Holmes was born In Highland Co., Ohio, May 14, 1853. In 1855 the family emmigrated to Illinois, since which time Mot has resided in or near Biggsville. From 1855 to 1882 be resided three miles southeast of Biggsville and from 1882 until his death, (May 20), he made his home with his brother-in-law, Charles Browse. At the age of 8 months he was taken sick with scrofula and from that time until death relieved him, he has been a constant sufferer from this disease. He received a common district school education by effort, having to content himself with study and sickness. He was a genius in the mechanical line, being able to analyze difficult pieces of machinery with apparent ease. Not being able to farm, he was contented with blacksmithing, carpentering, etc. He mingled in society very little, on account of his health. Being a quiet, modest man, strictly adhering to the principles of a gentleman. He has consulted with physicians in the vicinity, and also in Aurora, and Chicago, but nothing could be done to relieve the sufferer. Two years ago, he was obliged to live almost entirely in the cellar to avoid the beat. During the last two months of his suffering he has not spoken above a whisper, but during all his long trials he remained perfectly rational. During the summer or fall of 1889, he had a severe hemorrhage from the throat, which continued for some time, more or less profuse. Soon after this was controlled he began to be hoarse. This hoarseness continued and increased until he was unable to speak above a whisper, and accompanying the hoarseness was more or less soreness. This also increased until it was with great difficulty that he was able to swallow liquids. No suspicion was had of any foreign body being in the throat, but the course of the apparent disease was rather singular. From the inability to take food, he was greatly reduced in strength and emaciated extremely the heart action became weaker and weaker, until finally the end came when the heart refused to perform its function. Upon holding a post mortum the larynx and trachea were dissected as far up as possible and laid open. The vocal cords were found to be almost entirely destroyed by ulceration; in fact the whole of the mucous membrane was in the same condition. On the right side and just above the thyroid cartilage was found a small piece of bone very much resembling the bone of a chicken. This bone was about one half inch in length, very sharp and. ragged on one end the other end being firmly imbedded in fold of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The mystery of all the pain and discomfort in the throat was solved. In all probability this foreign body had been there from the time he began to complain of his throat. The inflammatory process had extended to the lungs, where was formed several cavities, but not enough destruction had taken place to occasion death so soon.

The friends and relatives have the sympathy of all in this, their hour of bereavement. The funeral exercises took place Thursday at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Coole. The remains were interred in the cemetery at Salter's grove.

Biggsville, May 27. Peace

Henderson County Democrat


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Note from Mary Mc:

Scrofula appears to be a skin disease / a form of tuberculosis - affecting the lymph nodes of the neck.