Sarah E. Smith Litchfield
In the death of Mrs. Sarah E. Litchfield, which occurred on Tuesday, November 23rd, 1920. The bereaved family loses a devoted self-sacrificing wife and mother, and the whole community are sensible of a distinct loss in the passing of this splendid type of woman.
Her maiden name was Sarah Elizabeth Smith, she was the daughter of James Smith, who was a native of England, and left that country in 1849., and were early arrivals in California in the great gold rush of those strenuous romantic days.
The deceased was born in San Francisco, California, on November 8, 1857. She was united in marriage to John C. Litchfield, July 15, 1880. They lived six years in California; where three children were born. Grant, Stanley and Noel. The family moved to Butte, Montana, where they remained for two years where one more child was born, Alma. From there they moved to Elk City, Idaho, August 2nd, 1888, taking up a permanent residence. Their route being then via Mt. Idaho, and from there they took a two days ride horseback, journeying over the old NezPerce trail, after a few day's visit with the brother of Mrs. Litchfield, S.W. Smith, then owner of the noted Buster Mine, then they located the beautiful homestead they have since owned and occupied for the past 32 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield were born 8 children; Grant, Stanley, Noel, Alma, Idaho, Arden, Ruth and Helen. In the cares and trials incidental to the successful raising of a large family of four boys and four girls, this devoted mother found time to give her valuable council and aid in an unselfish effort to advance every worthy cause besides performing with entire satisfaction for twelve years. The arduous duties of district Mining Recorder.
That dread disease, cancer, was the direct cause of her death, and although her sufferings were intense during her long illness the faith inspired Christian woman was never heard to murmur or complain. She was a devoted member of the Episcopal Christian Church, and during her girlhood-days, was a gifted member of the choir of the pioneer Episcopal Church of San Francisco.
To those of her dear ones she has left to mourn, she has left as a heritage her good, kind thoughts and we venture to say, that no matter what trials, difficulties, anxieties and dangers they may be obliged to contend with in the years to come. (And there are indeed few of us who are entirely exempt.) That the instruction and example of this noble wife and mother will do as much as any earthly thing can do to comfort and sustain them and will prove to the end of their lives a most cherished and endearing memory.
The serving members of the family and relations included the following; her husband, J.C. Litchfield, N.G. Litchfield, Stanley W. Litchfield, Mrs. Lawrence A. Painter, Mrs. Dee Fruit, Mrs. George Burpee, children.
There are three brothers. J. Howard, S.W. and James A. Smith and Mrs. Martha Watson, a sister, all of California.
The funeral which was largely attended took place at the family home Sunday, at one o'clock, on November 28, and the loved one was laid to rest in the family plot, beside the grave of that of her dear daughter, Alma.
Although the roads were extremely bad many who attended the obsequies came for long distances. A tribute to the esteem in which Mrs. Litchfield was regarded.
Submitted by: Penny Bennett Casey