Edwin William Bland & Leah Hope Howard

Rock Island Agent at Numa is Dead

E. W. Bland Died Saturday After Long Illness

Though Had Been at His Duties

  Numa, Iowa, Jan. 20. -- Funeral services were held here at 1:00 o'clock this afternoon for E. W. Bland, well known resident of Numa, whose death occurred at 5:30 Saturday morning after but a few hours' critical illness. The body is being taken to Unionville, Mo., for burial.

  Mr. Bland, who had been Rock Island depot agent here for the past five years, has been in failing health for a long period of time, being assisted in his railroad station duties by his wife.  However recently he had shown no indications of decline, until Friday evening at 5:00 o'clock when he was taken home sick.  A Centerville doctor was called, and every effort put forth to relieve him, but death came early Saturday morning. Adding to the sadness in the home is the illness of one of the children, who is said to have been suffering with pneumonia, but is some better now.

  In death Mr. Bland is survived by the wife and seven children, and other more distant relatives. His death comes as a shock to the whole community both because it was unexpected and because of the high esteem in which he was held here. The deepest sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family. His passing also brings sorrow all along the Rock Island line, for he was widely known in railroad circles, having been with the Rock Island since August, 1920. He was employed in Centerville a short time on one occasion as relief agent.

Edwin William Bland & Leah Hope Howard Bland

The Bland Home Across the Road from the Numa School

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Mrs. Leah Bland Called By Death

  Death called Mrs. Leah Bland, 44, of Numa, Wednesday evening, at the University of Iowa hospital following a month's serious illness there.

  She leaves seven children to mourn her death, Norma Jean, Ruth Irene, Dorothy, Beulah, Frances, James Edwin and Herbert Lee, all of Numa.

  Mrs. Bland had been a resident of Numa for many years. She became critically ill several weeks ago and was taken to the hospital at Iowa City. Her husband, Edwin Bland, preceded her in death two years ago.

  She is also survived in death by her mother, Mrs. Sarah Howard, three sisters, Ada, Martha and Mrs. Grover Bruce and three brothers, Estace, Charles and William Howard, all of Lucerne, Mo.

  The body will be brought back to Numa today for burial. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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  Numa folks are saddened and shocked by the word received last night of the death of Mrs. E. W. Bland at Iowa City hospital, where she had gone for treatment. As formerly reported, Mrs. Bland had been operated on some seven days ago, and was awaiting a further operation, and was reported as somewhat improved, although in a critical condition. The second operation was planned for Thursday but we are informed it was deemed necessary to operate sooner and she did not survive the ordeal. Mr. Bland passed away somewhat more than two years ago, he being Numa station agent at that time, and Mrs. Bland had had the care of a large family of little children since that time, and during the past six months failing health has been noted. This leaves seven little children parentless; indeed a sad condition. We are informed Ruby undertaking has gone to Iowa City for the body, and that they will be in charge of the funeral arrangements. Other than this, no other arrangement have been reported. Relatives from Putnam county, Mo., have arrived to assist the many neighbors and friends that have flocked in to aid in the care and consolation of the little ones.

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Numa Sends Report of Bland Funeral

  The funeral of Mrs. E. W. Bland was held from the home at 2 p.m. Sunday, in charge of the Ruby Undertaking, and the service read by Rev. Noland, pastor of the Unionville, Mo., Christian church. Immediately following the services the cortege, consisting of many cars of relatives and friends and neighbors made its way to the family burial lot of the Howard family just west of the Wesley Chapel and northwest of Unionville, Mo., in Putnam county. At the grave many former friends and neighbors of the family had gathered, and once again the body was viewed before placing it to rest beside the husband that had preceded her some two years or more. Following the services at the cemetery the children were returned to the home here in Numa, together with Miss Martha Howard, sister of Mrs. Bland, and also a brother accompanied, who will remain. It is hoped the children may have some arrangement whereby they can make their home here and keep up their studies in the home school as formerly.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution to The Jerome Journal of the above pictures and obituaries by Richard Inman of Hamilton, Ohio.  Mr. & Mrs. Edwin W. Bland were his maternal grandparents.