Duff, Keziah

Passed: 1901-06-02

Age: 64

Source:

Death Notice: 1901-06-02

Obituary Date:

Information: THE LATE MRS. KEZIAH DUFF - Mrs. Keziah Duff, widow of the late George H. Duff, of Mount Tell, died June 2, 1901.  The sad news was rapidly narrated and unexpected to her friends that she had so suddenly passed away gave a shocking alarm to all throughout the entire community.  Little did we think Sunday morning that circumstances would be sad before the close of the evening.  She arose more cheerful than usual expecting some of her married children to pay her a visit that day according to previous promises, which promises were fulfilled.  All present had spent the day pleasantly and about 3 o'clock p.m. while Mrs. Duff and daughter-in-law were sitting on the front porch they heard the horses kicking.  Mrs. Duff went to the back door and saw her son, John W.'s, horse which had been hemmed in the corner, had jumped and hung on the palings which was five feet high.  She ran and tried to liberate the animal by pulling her off, but failed, then ran and got an ax, cut the railing and let the horse down.  Then she sat down on the steps about a minute, got up and saw the horse was dying and started in the house when Alex Morgan and her daughter-in-law took her by each arm and aided her to walk through the house to the front porch.  In the meanwhile she gazed in the glass and looked at her finger nails and said, ""I am dying, farewell to all,"" and never spoke more but quietly expired. Heart trouble and over-exertion which ruptured a blood vessel was the cause of her speedy death.      She was born in Roane county April 10, 1837, and was married to George H. Duff at her parents' home June 22, 1856.  Rev. John Smith officiated.  She was the mother of twelve children and was deprived of her husband by his death on September 25, 1898.  She resided in this place forty-four years and no more hospitable woman to her friends and charitable to the sick and needy ever resided in this locality.  She was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to the sick and unfortunate.  She leaves behind to mourn two sons, five daughters, several grand-children, two brothers and two sisters, together with a large circle of friends.  Her funeral was, by her request at the last burial, conducted by Rev. James Fisher in the presence of a large assembly.  She was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the family graveyard.  (poem follows)  Observer, Mt. Tell, W. Va.  June 17, 1901.