Surname : Gathers

Given name : Ellis Moore

ID # : Not sure if related.

Current date : 21 September 1988

Location of Source : Patrick J. Henry

Date of record : Unknown

Source : newspaper clipping (obituary)

Newspaper Clipping # 1:

Ellis Gathers Fatally Wounded

as He Leaves for Hunt on

Last Day of Season.

Monday morning of this week, Dec. 15, at 8:30, Ellis Moore Gathers, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Gathers of Porter township, this county, and a number of his friends had gathered at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. John Delp, preparatory to spending the last day of hunting season for deer, in trying their luck as nimrods. Just before they left Mrs. Delp’s home, Elwin Brown waved his hand to some of the boys who just arrived, and in some inexplicable way his gun was discharged, the bullet striking Mr. Gathers in the small of the body. the unfortunate young man fell to the ground and expired almost instantly.

This is one of the saddest events we have been called upon to record. Mr. Brown, who was one of Mr. Gathers’ warmest and closest friends, is almost heart-broken over the accident. Mr. Gathers was married to Miss Twila Delp, daughter of Mrs. John Delp. The happy young couple were preparing to go to housekeeping this spring.

Ellis Moore Gathers was born in Porter township, Feb. 4, 1906, and was 24 years, 10 months and 11 days old at the time of the accident which caused this death.

Funeral services in his memory were held in the Leatherwood Presbyterian church on Wednesday of this week and were conducted by Rev. Mrs. Keirn. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in this community. At the close of the religious services, interment under the direction of S. F. Reitz of New Bethlehem was made in the adjoining cemetery.

Deceased is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Gathers, his wife, nee Twila Delp, one sister, Mrs. Nellie Bashline, of Porter township, and two brothers, Taylor of New Bethlehem, and Thomas of Sharon, Pa.

The sorrowing family and friends have the heartiest sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.

Newspaper Clipping # 2:

Ellis Gathers

(Mrs. Robert Curll)

"Say not good night - but in that brighter clime bid us good morning!"

Porter township has seldom received such a shock as come to it last Monday morning, December 15, 1930, when the news was spread that Ellis Gathers had suddenly been translated from his earthly to his heavenly home very early in the morning as he and some of his friends had gathered at the late John Delp home to arrange for a day’s sport in hunting deer. Before they got started Elwin Brown, one of Ellis’ closest friends, waved his hand to one of the men who had just arrived, and in some way the gun was discharged and Ellis was killed almost instantly.

Ellis was born in Porter township, February 4, 1906, the son of William and Laura (Moore) Gathers. His childhood, boyhood and early manhood were fragrant chapters lived in our midst and now gone on to a life of renewed activity yonder. He was a very attractive appearing young man, and with his gentle, genial manner and fine christian personality he always found a ready approach to people and made friends everywhere he went. At an early age he consecrated his life to Jesus and joined the Presbyterian church at Leatherwood, to which faith he had been a loyal and faithful servant to the end. Besides home and church he held a large place in his community and his friends were legion. One fails to understand why a life so full of usefulness and promise should be closed so early, but we can trust the Divine Author of life to work out the best results.

In June, 1929, he was united in marriage to Miss Twila Delp. This union was one of earth’s happiest.

Besides his wife, who is left to mourn his departure he leaves his parents, one sister, Mrs. Nellie Bashline, two brothers, Taylor of New Bethlehem, and Tom of Sharon. His funeral took place Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 ‘oclock in the church he loved so well, when a large concourse of people gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to him as he lay amidst the numerous and beautiful floral offerings from loving and sympathizing friends. The services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Keirn, assisted by Rev. McKinley of Distant. At the close of the services interment under the direction of S. F. Reitz of New Bethlehem, was made in the adjoining cemetery.

The sorrowing family and friends have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.

Dear Ellis is gone - death has called

and touched his form so fair,

While here beside us calmly strands

his lonely vacant chair.

We wonder if its true he’s gone, or

is it but a dream -

We might persuade ourselves it is

for so it oft does seem.

But, when unconsciously we turn to

speak - he sat just there,

Our tear-dimmed eyes behold again

that lonely vacant chair.

But as we think of him and pray

"thy will, Oh Lord, be done,"

A sweet voice speaks and gently says

"Now ye are not alone."

Though sad and lonely it may seem,

when by his vacant chair,

A peace comes sweetly stealing thru

the quiet, balmy air

For he is with our Saviour and free

from fear and gloom,

And yet we feel his parents near

just in the other room.

While faith now bids us upward look

and cast on Christ our care,

The star of Hope shines just above

his lonely vacant chair.

Our loss indeed we deeply feel, his

voice we hear no more,

But he will sing in sweeter tones,

upon the brighter shore.

Rest on, dear Ellis, rest in peace,

we’ll meet you over there,

We now surrender all to God, beside

the vacant chair.