Clarke County Obituaries Mrs. Cloyd Mrs. Cloyd, one of Osceola's oldest colored citizens, died Wednesday, and was buried Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. [Iowa State Bystander (15 Jan. 1897) transcribed by FoFG MZ] B. F. Cox B. F. Cox, living near Sibley, died very suddenly the other day, and his disease was pronounced spotted fever. [Sioux City Journal (20 Sept. 1874) transcribed by FoFG MZ] George Munson Dying Hermit Reveals Horde George Munson, who for 25 years had led the life of a hermit on his farm near here, and who was found badly frozen, lived just long enough to tell where he had hidden away his fortune and then expired, says an Osceola, Iowa paper. While feeding his horses Munson fell in a fit in the stall. He recovered sufficiently to drag himself outside of the barn, where he fell exhausted and lay all night, not being found until the next day, when a neighbor, happening to call at his house and finding it deserted, went to the barn and there discovered the dying man. He was taken to the house of Frank Powell and carefully attended to, but his condition was such that from the first there was no hope of saving his life. When Munson realized that he must die he called Powell to him and in a feeble voice bade him search his dwelling, saying that the savings of a lifetime were hidden in various crannies. Munson, while a recluse and eccentric, was not believed by his neighbors to have much wealth, and Powell did not pay much attention to his request, deeming it one of vagaries of a wandering mind. So insistent, however, did Munson become and such minute directions for the search did he give that Powell finally complied with his request and soon found $1,200. Ninety-five dollars in gold pieces, all of old dates, was found in an old tin baking powder can on a top shelf in the pantry. Between the leaves of an old copy of the code of laws of Iowa was found a one hundred dollar bill, and small rolls and little wads of bills of various denominations, musty with age, were found tucked away in various trunks and old boxes. When the money had been recovered Powell hastened with it to the bedside of the dying man, where he exhibited it. The eyes in which the light of life already had begun to fade lightened up for a moment and the aged recluse thumbed over the bills lovingly. He seemed satisfied with the amount recovered, and turning on his pillow passed away. The money recovered has been placed in the bank at Murray, where it will be held to await claims of the heirs of the old man should any appear. In addition to the money Munson owned a valuable farm of two hundred acres. [Reading Eagle, Pennsylvania, Published February 10, 1907, submitted by Cathy D.] Matilda Ray Died - At Osceola, at the home of her daughter Mrs. Joe Williams, Saturday March 31st 1900, Mrs. Matilda Ray, age 95 years eight months and 27 days. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters, two of which survive, Mrs. John Walker, of this city and Mrs. Joe Williams of Osceola, also fourteen grand-children and two great-grand children. The funeral services was held at the A.M.E. church April 1st at 2:00 P.M. at Osceola. [Iowa State Bystander (6 Apr. 1900) transcribed by FoFG MZ] Lucy Wlard Sibley, May 29. - Mrs. Lucy Wlard, mother of Rev. H. D. Wlard, of Chicago, died here last night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Barnes. She was in her eighty-seventh year. [Sioux City Journal (30 May 1895) transcribed by FoFG MZ] Copyright © Genealogy Trails All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.