Surnames: MURPHY SCHWARTE MCLAIN

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 12/30/1909

Murphy, May (30 Apr 1883 - 27 Dec 1909)

Last Monday morning the whole town was shocked when the report was circulated that one of the most popular young ladies in town was dead. At first it was scarcely credited, but it proved all to be true. Miss Murphy had been sick for three or four days, but no one thought it serious. Neither her relatives nor the doctors in attendance considered the case at all dangerous until after midnight Sunday night. Then cerebro-spinal meningitis developed and at 6 o’clock Monday morning she breathed her last on earth.

May Murphy’s friends were limited only by her acquaintances. To know her was to love her. In a peculiar degree she seemed to attract the esteem of all, mere acquaintances viewing with her friends in high regard of her lady like demeanor, that carried conviction of the womanly grace she possessed.

That death loves a shining mark has again been exemplified. Why it is best that one just stepping across the threshold of life, and a life she was so eminently qualified to adorn, should be so suddenly taken away is one of the inscrutable mysteries of that Divine Power to whose mandates, mortals can only bow in meek submission.

During her whole life May was a devout member of the Catholic Church. She professed her faith, and better still, lived according to her profession; so now, though eyes are dimmed with tears and hearts are breaking, it is consoling to think that her abiding faith in her Savior guarantees to her a happier home than any earth could offer.

May Murphy was born April 30, 1883, at Neillsville, Clark County, Wis. Her mother died when May was only 3 years old. Her uncle and aunt took the little girl and reared her as their own. She lived with them until 4 years ago, when she came to Chattanooga to reside with her father, Wm. Murphy.

Her uncle died just a week before Miss May, but her aunt still survives. Her immediate relatives here besides her father and step-mother are her brother Henry and Mrs. Frank Schwarte of Lawton. Other relatives are cousins, Miss Sarah McLain, who is well known here, two brothers and several relatives in Wisconsin.

The funeral took place last Saturday morning at the Catholic Church. High mass was sung by Father Lamb of Lawton. Dr. and Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. Clohessy and Miss Delehanty formed the choir and rendered som choice selections. The floral offerings were beautiful. Several relatives and friends from outside places attended. The business houses closed for an hour and the church was filled, showing in what high esteem the young lady was held. (Chattanooga News (Okla.) Dec. 9, 1909)