The death of ALFRED PIERCE at his home in Avoca last Wednesday evening at 6:30 o'clock removes from our midst one of Avoca's very earliest settlers.

He was a little past 67 years of age and was born at Port Washington, Ohio. He lived in and about Avoca 48 years. It was while firing an anvil at the first general 4th of July celebration held in Avoca's vicinity in 1861 that Mr. Pierce lost his leg by a premature explosion of the gun powder.

Mr. Pierce and Miss Ina Headlee were united in marriage in 1858. They had eight children: Mrs. Thomas Nichols, deceased; Mrs. Fred Nelson, Mrs. Roy Sells, Mrs. D.M. Nichols of Oakland, Mrs. Wm. DeHart of Larimore, Fred Pierce, Frank Pierce of Sargent, Nebraska and George Pierce.

The funeral rites were perform by Rev. Halbert at the Congregational Church, after which the remains accompanied by a large following of mourners were taken to the Avoca Cemetery and interred.

Mr. Pierce was a model citizen and his death is a matter of general regret. (Graceland Cemetery, Section 5, Row 8, April 30, 1838-September 27, 1906*)