The Rebecca lodge had charge of the burial service.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

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While death is looked upon as the final and great calamity in every life, it at least brings all people to the position where they are willing and disposed to do justice to the dead, whether foe or friend. It is, perhaps, true that the best measure of any person can be had after their departure from the conflicts of life. With all of our boasted knowledge and ingenuity, we must all in the end, admit our inability to defeat the dread reaper, and that sooner or later, under the inexorable providence of God, all of the sons and daughters of Adam will go willingly or unwillingly to join the departed in the great beyond.

In the death of "Aunt" Mary Watkins, as she was familiarly called by all who knew her, another pioneer resident has passed from that ever lessening circle in this community. A type of woman who made friends by her motherly disposition, prone to look at the good things in every one rather than the bad ; happy and sunny nature, her passing will cause more than usual sorrow among the class who have looked upon her as their friend. Devoid, perhaps, of the veneer so desired by some, she was a plain woman who played well her part in the drama of life where she has long resided.

Mrs. George Mason

Christina Ruehl was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 19, 1861, and lived there until five years of age. At that time, she with her parents moved to Newport, Kentucky. At the age of fifteen years she came with her parents to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she joined the Presbyterian church and was an active member. On October 15, 1884, she was married to George Mason, and on May 26, 1886, came to Nebraska, and lived on a homestead near Minatare, until 1899, when they moved to Bayard and resided there until her death.