WALLACETOWN
Quite a gloom was cast over the district last week; when it became known that Mr John Nelson, third son of Mr Adam Nelson, had passed away on Wednesday last. The end came quite unexpectedly, as the young man was but a few days ill; he was only 23 years of age. While playing in a cricket match at Underwood, rain set in, and he received a chill, from which he never recovered, as it turned to pneumonia. The deceased was very popular, and made quite a number of friends. He started his career, after leaving school about eight years ago, in the Underwood Factory, and remained there as fireman up to the time of his death. He was a very enthusiastic sportsman, and a member of the Underwood Cricket Club, of which he was one of the best players. He will be very much missed by the club. He was also a prominent member of the newly-formed tennis club, which was his favourite pastime in the summer evenings. He was a good angler, and made some good bags in the rivers in the district. Deceased was well and favourably known, of a quiet disposition, and was a great favourite with his fellow-workmen at Underwood. The funeral, which took, place on Saturday afternoon, was about the largest that has ever been seen in the district for some years. The most noticeable feature was the number of young men who followed the remains to the cemetery. The Rev. Mr Kirkland of Waianiwa officiated at the grave, in the absence of the Rev. A. Begg. A large number of wreaths and floral tributes were sent, which showed the respect in which the deceased was held. Among the wreaths sent were three large floral wreaths from the Underwood employees, one also from the Ladies' Hockey Club (Underwood) and one from the Wallacetown Tennis Club. Great sympathy is felt for the parents and relatives of the deceased.
At the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning the Rev. A. Begg took for his text Acts 11, verse XI : "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God," and referred to the Chapman-Alexander Mission, which was being held in Dunedin, where their meetings had been crowned with great success, and the number of young people who took Christ as their Saviour. He emphasised the strong need for prayer, and referred to the death of the late Mr John Nelson as an example to the young men of Wallacetown to be prepared to meet their God, for they know not at what hour the Son of Man cometh. -Southern Cross, 13/4/1912.
WALLACETOW.
The air is full of farewells to the dying;
And murmurings for the dead;
The heart of Rachel for her children crying
Will not be comforted.
Let us be patient: these severe afflictions
Not from the ground arise,
But oftentimes celestial benedictions
Assume this dark disguise.
April 8. — The sublime sentiment lying behind these words at the great poet was keenly felt here last week. The most popular of our young men, Mr John Nelson, familiarly known as "Jock," passed away at his father's residence after a few days' illness. Although a few knew that he was ill, no one dreamt that his end was near; so that quite a gloom was cast over the village when the sad news was known. A few days previous to his death, "Jock," who was a keen cricketer, was playing on a wet day; and from the wetting he contracted a chill which led to serious complications. The funeral on Saturday was a large one, friends and relations coming from distant parts of Otago and Southland. The cortege was mainly composed of young men. The employees of Underwood Factory, where "Jock" had been employed for many years and a great favourite, sent two large wreaths, and though the day was a busy one in the factory, attended the funeral in large numbers. The Wallacetown Tennis Club, of which he was a member and popular player, also sent one; the Hockey Club also sent another; so that with those sent by other sympathisers, the grave was covered with flowers. In the absence of Rev. A. Begg, the Rev. A. D. Kirkland officiated at both house and grave. All were deeply impressed with the solemn service, and the sudden death of a promising young man.
We see but dimly through the mists and vapours
Amid these earthly damps;
What seem to us but sad, funereal tapers
May be heaven's distant lamps.
He is not dead — the lad of our affection,
But gone unto that school
Where he no longer needs our poor protection,
And Christ Himself doth rule. -Otago Witness, 17/4/1912.
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