Obituary: Margaret T. McGraw

Died on Saturday, January 18, 1896, of heart failure, Miss MARGARET T. McGRAW, of Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., in the 38th year of her age.

Never, perhaps, has this community been so stirred or have the sympathies of our people been so profoundly moved as by the death of this estimable young lady. A few minutes before the fatal summons she appeared to be in the enjoyment of robust health and consequent good spirits, and she would have been among the last that an observer would have picked out as likely to fall soon before the scythe of the relentless harvester. A pathetic incident is related of her last moments. She was much attached to the memory of her father who died a little over two years ago. The father owned a horse of which he was very fond, and, for the father’s sake, the children have provided for this dumb favorite and committed the animal to the care of a kind-hearted farmer on whose place it enjoys freedom and plenty with exemption from labor. About two o’clock on Saturday afternoon Miss McGraw was standing at her door when this farmer passed, and she asked how her father’s pet was getting along. On being told that the horse was doing well she said sadly, “Poor papa,” and turned to go up stairs. These were the last words spoken by her, so far as is known. A few minutes after she was found dead in her room, and physicians who were summoned pronounced her death as due to heart failure.

The circumstances of this bereavement are sad enough as above related, but, besides her relatives, there are many and very many who will keenly feel the loss of this amiable young lady, for her means were ample and her charity proverbial and unbounded. A few weeks ago the writer witnessed a scene which exemplified this charitable disposition of Miss McGraw. A young woman travelling on the B. & O. R. R., and whose destination was Cincinnati, lost her ticket and was obliged to appeal to the people of Harper’s Ferry for aid to procure another ticket. Miss McGraw handed her something which the writer could not see, bt it was enough to elicit from the forlorn one a paroxysm of grateful tears and a shower of blessings, which the recording angel undoubtedly entered to the credit of the generous giver. Her whole life exemplified this kind disposition. She was devotedly attached to a brother and a sister, who fully reciprocated her love and who have the deepest sympathy of our people in their bereavement, and from the fullness of a heart absorbed in the memory of a fond parent came the last words her lips uttered.

Ignorant and short sighted as we are, we often wonder why Providence should cut off early so many whose lies are beneficent and calculated to spread happiness in a world as wretched as ours, but “Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” saith the Lord. He knows when Heaven’s harvest is ripe, and His will be done.

The funeral services took place at St. Peter’s Church, Harper’s Ferry, on Tuesday morning, January 21st, and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Father Kelly, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. McKeelty, of Martinsburg, Drake, of Keyser, and Tearney, of Falls Church, Va.–

The funeral was very large and the body was laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in South Bolivar, whither so many of Miss McGraw’s kindred had preceded her. Requiescat in pace.

A FRIEND.
HARPER’S FERRY, W. Va.
January 25, 1896.