Charles Milton Thomas

Died at Hot Springs

The whole community was plunged in sorrow when tidings were received yesterday morning that Chas. M. Thomas had passed away, following an operation for appendicitis. He and Mrs. Thomas had gone to Hot Springs, S D., last week and as his case was diagnosed as serious it was decided that an operation would be necessary. Accordingly, on Monday he was operated on and passed through the ordeal safely and Mrs. Thomas wired to Lusk Tuesday that everything seemed to be all right, but a change for the worse took place during the night and he passed away at 5 o'clock yesterday morning.

Chas. M. Thomas was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Thomas, Sr., who live 15 miles north of Harrison, Nebr. He was married to Mary Turner of Boston, Mass., and three children were born to them, Albert, Addie and Robert. Besides his widow and three children, and his father and mother, three brothers and one sister survive his untimely loss, namely Ira Thomas of Lance Creek, Sam Thomas, Jr. of Indian Creek, Henry Thomas, who lives at home with his parents, and Mrs. Tracy Lewis of Indian Creek.

About 8 years ago Charlie Thomas, as he was affectionately called by his host of friends, bought the Harry Rogers Ranch, about 22 miles northeast of Lusk, and known as Plum Creek. From here he moved with his family to Lusk last September, at first occupying the Edwin Hall residence, and later purchasing the Dr. Stephenson bungalow on Main street where the family make their home.

The remains arrived in Lusk today on the westbound passenger train, as also Mrs. Thomas and other relatives. The funeral will be held from his late home, interment being in Lusk cemetery. The local Masons will have charge of all arrangements, Mr. Thomas having just recently become a member of Harmony Lodge.

The death of Mr. Thomas is a decided loss to the community and to his family it is irreparable. The Herald joins with all sorrowing friends in tendering sincerest sympathy to the distressed relatives in their sad bereavement.

The Lusk Herald, May 25, 1916

FUNERAL OF CHAS. M. THOMAS

The funeral of Chas. M. Thomas, Friday, May 19th, 1916, was the most largely attended funeral ever held in Lusk, eloquent evidence of the decedent's popularity and of the high regard in which he was held as husband, father, friend and neighbor. The arrangements were in the hands of the members of Harmony Lodge, No. 24, A.F.& A.M., and promptly at one 0'clock the Masons, 29 in number, marched in double file to the late residence of their deceased brother, whence they conveyed the remains to the Congregational Church, the funeral cortege also including many members of Niobrara Chapter, No. 26. O.E.S., of which Mrs. Thomas is a member. The church and annex were filled with a sympathetic gathering of friends and neighbors and after the arrival of the casket and the mourners the Rev. O.E. A. Blenkarn preached an appropriate sermon and read selected portions of Scripture, the choir rendering the old familiar hymns, "Lead Kindly Light" and "Rock of Ages," and the anthem, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought." After the benediction was pronounced the remains were then conducted to Lusk cemetery, the Masons acting as pallbearers and a guard of honor. At the grave the impressive Masonic funeral service was read by W.M. Hardegen, and the body consigned to the tomb, "earth to earth and dust to dust."

The floral tributes from the lodges, relatives and friends, were many and most beautiful, sweet tokens of love and esteem. The attendance at the cemetery was large, in all 33 automobiles being in the procession.

Besides Mrs. Thomas and the children, the following relatives and friends from a distance were present: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Thomas, Sr., of Harrison, Nebr.; Ira Thomas of Warren; Henry Thomas and wife of Harrison; Sam Thomas, Jr., of Kirtley; Lee Lewis and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lewis of Harrison; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Seaman; Peter Summers and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Cramer and Corwin Lewis of Harrison Nebr.

Mrs. Thomas' father, Albert E. Turner of Malden, Mass., was unable to be present, but arrived Sunday to comfort his daughter and her children, leaving again for the east Tuesday Afternoon. 

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