"Died Sabbath morning, September 2d 1855, after a protracted and painful illness, at the early age of twenty-six years and six months, Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart Alexander, wife of J. W. S. Alexander, merchant of Paris, Illinois, and daughter of the late General T. A. Howard of Indiana. Death loves a shining mark," has in this instance lost none of its emphasis, to those whose bleeding hearts and crushed hopes tell but too truly of the fearfully sudden stroke which removed a faithful, affectionate, loving and dearly beloved Wife and Mother, from their fond embrace and companionship. Lizzie was a Christian, an humble follower of the Savior. Her sole reliance in the trying hour was upon Him, that washed in his atoning blood and cleansed from all impurity of sin, she would be welcome to a seat at his right hand. The few brief hours that elapsed before the closing scene, and after hopes long and fondly cherished of returning health, were dispelled by the chilliness of approaching dissolution, were pre-eminently calm and peaceful. Perfect resignation to God's will was sweetly manifest as her spirit communed with His. She took affectionate leave, with parting counsel to each, of a number of friends summoned to her bedside, and left special messages for others who could not be present, with a general one for all, to prepare for eternity, and after praying that 'God would take under His special care and keeping, her husband and little daughter, and be to them, wife and mother, protector and friend, until in his own good time, with our dear Howard already there, we should be a united and happy family at his right hand above' – bid them an affectionate farewell. Blessed with the best of parents and faithful religious instruction from infancy, she early (about the twelfth year of her age) became united with and continued a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, constant in her attendance upon public worship, under all ordinary circumstances. Her message to her Pastor was, 'Tell Mr. Newell I have derived great benefit from his instruction – his ministry here, I love the Church, I love it dearly, and have always done so, that I am willing to die – perfectly willing, feel that I shall be happy, not at all on account of any worth or merit of my own, but through the intercession alone of our Savior, who shed his blood for us, and died that we might live.['] – She repeated many of the promises of the gospel which were inexpressibly dear to her, having alone been in the habit of daily reading portions of the scriptures. We feel though our loss is great yet it is her infinite gain, and how in humble submission to His will who does all things well, trusting that the dying prayer of our beloved companion may be heard, and that we at last may be reunited 'where sickness, sorrow, pain and death, are felt and feared no more.' Her family are grateful for the respect and attention shown the departed, during her last illness by many kind friends, as well as by the large number of persons in attendance at the burial, on Monday. By her request, her little daughter will be baptized on the occasion of the delivery of a funeral discourse by Rev. Mr. Newell, on Sabbath, Sept. 16th at the Presbyterian Church." ("Prairie Beacon," Paris, Illinois, September 7, 1855, p. 3, col. 1)