This community was shocked Friday noon, to learn of the finding of Edward Wherley in a helpless condition in John Howard’s woods pasture near his feed lot southeast of town. The facts concerning this sad and unfortunate occurrence, as we have been able to gather them, is as follows: Mr. Wherley and his family arranged to spend Christmas in Astoria, at the home of Andy Stremmel. As Mr. Wherley wished to visit Joseph Sweigard, who lives in the extreme east part of town, pertaining to some business matters, he requested the family to go on, and he would walk across the fields and would be at Mr. Stremmel’s in time for dinner. He left his home, which is about three miles southeast of Astoria, at about ten o’clock, saying to his family that on his way to Sweigard’s he would go past and see Mr. Howard’s cattle.
The family went on to Mr. Stremmel’s as intended, and when the noon hour came Mr. Wherley had not put in his appearance. Not being alarmed and thinking that he would come at any moment, dinner was delayed until about one o’clock. By this time the family became worried, and anxious to know what was detaining him, telephoned Mr. Sweigard’s but was informed that Mr. Wherley had not been at their place that day. Fearing some accident had befell him, it was decided that some one go in search of him. John and Pius Burgard offered their service and going to Mr. Howard’s cattle lot, they found Mr. Wherley, together with Albert and John Brooks, who by chance came by, and who had arrived about ten minutes previous to their coming. Mr. Wherley was in a helpless and dazed condition. He was lying on his left side on the ground, with his arm double under his body. John Burgard asked him what was the matter. He said that the cattle had butted him. At that time he seemed to recognize them. There was quite a number of steers around him, but as far as they could ascertain there were no indications that he had been injured by the cattle, as he stated. There was a bruised place on the side of his face, but the presumption is that this was caused by falling on the frozen ground. As he was being carried to Mr. Howard’s farm residence, some three fourths of a mile distant, he warned them to be careful about the cattle. He asked to be allowed to walk, and in the effort, his right leg would not support him. When asked where he was ailing, he replied that he hurt all over. His speech was such that every word could not be understood. He was then taken to Andy Stremmel’s, where his family was awaiting him.
Besides the cattle in the lot in which he was found, there were several hogs. It is not thought he was injured by the stock, but the presumption is, he was stricken with paralysis. At no time was it fully certain that he regained consciousness.
After being taken to the home of Mr. Stremmel, he suffered the second attack Monday morning at about 8 o’clock. At one o’clock p.m., of the same day he passed away.
Mr. Wherley suffered a sun stroke a year ago last fall, and this, it is thought, was the immediate cause of his death. He was a very hard working man, industrious and respected by all who knew him, and sorrow is expressed on every hand at his sudden demise.
He was making preparations for moving to Iowa about February first, where he had purchased a farm of about three hundred acres.
Mr. Wherley, who was a member of the Dunkard Brethren church, was born in Pennsylvania. At the time of his death he was about 41 years of age.
He was united in marriage to Miss Susie Burgard, and to them were born seven sons, all of whom, together with the heartbroken wife, survive to mourn his death. Besides the wife and children he leaves two brothers and four sisters. They are George and Conrad Wherley, Mrs. Albert Snyder, Mrs. Lizzie Gruber, Mrs. Abe Lind and Mrs. Sadie Swartzbaugh.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 o’clock, at the South Fulton church, Revs. Bucher and Baker officiating.
Interment in the cemetery near by.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus