"Wife of Edward L."

(source: Philipsburg cemetery records through December 2005)
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Originally from Philipsburg Mail, Philipsburg, Mont., Friday, Spetember 9, 1916
Republished in Philipsburg Mail, Philipsburg, Mont, Thursday, September 8, 2016

A SAD DEATH
The people of Philipsburg were deeply shocked last Friday night when a telephone message from Granite announced that Mrs. Ruth M. Blonger, wife of E. L. Blonger, a well known young miner of that city, had taken her own life by drinking a quantity of oil of cedar. Mrs. Blonger had made several previous attempts at suicide but each time a physician reached her in time to save her life. Friday night, however, the death angel triumphed, her spirit having taken its flight about fifteen minutes before the arrival of the physician who had been hastily summoned from Phililpsburg.
The young woman’s family and friends cannot account for her rash act. She was naturally of a bright, cheerful disposition, she had a good home, a kind, indulgent husband, and hosts of friends. But the idea of taking her own life seemed to have become an obsession with her, and she announced her intention recently to several friends though in a joking manner that did not impress her hearers.
Mrs. Blonger was born in Philipsburg July 3rd, 1893, and spent most of her life here. She was married to Mr. Blonger Feb. 18, 1912, and the young couple spent the first two years of their married life in California, later returning to Granite where they had resided since. She was the daughter of MRs. John Hickey of Kirkville, one of the most highly esteemed residents of the district. Besides her sorrowin mother and husband the deceased leaves four sisters and one brother, Mrs. Al Anderson of San Francisco, Mrs. Chas. Frederickson of Great Falls, Mrs. Fred Lutz, Miss Nora Hickey and Neil Hickey of Philipsburg.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the M.E. Church. Rev. W. H. Calvert preached the funeral sermon, taking for his text, “Be ye also ready.” A choir composed of Mesdames J. J. Carmichael, H. A. Featherman and Fred Burks, Miss Alice Dixon and Mr. E. M. Thomas sang “Lead Kindly Light,” “Does the Anchor Hold?” and “Some Day We’ll Understand.” The casket was covered with beautiful flowers. Interment was made in the Philipsburg cemetery, the remains being laid at rest beside those of her father, the late John Hickey.
The funeral cortege was exceptionally large, attesting the esteem in which the family are held. The pallbearers were: Ed Mullen, W. Welsh, N. Harolds, M. Courtney, R. Rooke and Mr. O’Brien.

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Contributor: northstarhiker (47751801)