The community was greatly surprised and shocked when a message was received Wednesday announcing the death of H. N. Stilley at Bayard, Nebraska.

He apparently was in the best of health until Wednesday morning when he complained of not feeling very well but he kept at work in the barber shop as usual; about 1:30 pm he went into a room adjoining the barber shop and upon failing to return, his customers became alarmed and went in search of him and discovered he had expired from heat trouble; he had fallen against a hot water tank and his face was badly burned but he apparently had died without a struggle; everything possible was done to revive him, but to no avail, death had claimed another victim.

The family arrived in Farnam Friday evening, on the B. & M.R.R., but on account of the many changes on this road, the remains of Mr. Stilley were brought to Gothenburg on the U.P., accompanied by his sister Nona. Undertaker C.E. Jackson brought him over in the hearse and he was attentively cared for in the Odd Fellows hall by the lodge members until time for the funeral.

Herbert Nixon Stilley was born March 1st, 1877 [to Benjamin and Mary (Latzenberg) Stilley] at Exeter, Nebraska and died February, 21st, at Bayard, Nebraska, aged 45 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

He moved with his parents from Exeter to Farnam in 1890 and resided on a farm 1/2 mile west of town where he grew to manhood.

He received his school education in the Tobias, Nebraska and the Farnam schools and took a special course one year at Lincoln. He was united in marriage on April 26th, 1900 at Terry Hill, Pennsylvania, to Miss Dora Coleman, who has been an exceptionally faithful and devoted companion to him in their married life. Nine children were born to them. He is survived by his loving wife and the following children: Roy, who is married and lives at Alliance, Nebr., and Gertrude, Genevieve, Ben, Eugene, Gerald, and Shirley, who still live at home. One boy, Homer, died in infancy, and one girl, Mary died when about 3 years old, from the effects of whooping cough. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Nona Brown, of North Platte, Nebraska. His parents passed away several years ago.

He united with the Farnam Baptist church in November, 1895 and was church clerk in 1896 and 1897 and still retained his membership here. He was also a member of I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W. lodges of Farnam.

Herbert, as he was familiarly called by his friends, spent most of his life in Farnam, with the exception of a short time spent in Exeter, and Tobias, Nebraska, Manheim, Penn, Cozad Nebr., and on a farm near Brady.

In August, 1922 the family moved to Bayard, Nebr., where he was engaged in the barber business. The family was pleasantly and happily located and had made many happy plans for the future and his sudden demise is a great shock to his relatives and acquaintances and every one sympathizes deeply with the family in their bereavement.

Mr. Stilley possessed a wonderful tenor voice and has given pleasure by his musical talents wherever he resided. Since moving to Bayard, he has been active in church and social affairs and was to have taken the most prominent part in an Operetta at this place in March but his magnificent voice has been stilled by his Creator who knows what is best for us all and “Sometime we will understand” the mysteries that puzzle us and cause us grief.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Saturday at 2 p.m. In the absence of a pastor, Rev. Satchel of the M.E. church conducted the services.

Favorite songs of the deceased were rendered by a group of singers who had sang with him. The pall bearers were members of the Odd Fellows lodge.

The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful and were a silent tribute of friendship, love and sympathy. His loved ones were all present except Ben and Eugene who could not be present.

A large concourse of friends attended the last sad rites although many could not be present on account of sickness.

The remains were tenderly laid to rest in the Farnam cemetery by the side of loved ones who had preceded him.--Contributed.

The Farnam Echo ?(16):1 Friday, Mar. 2, 1923