Death of "Ki" Newby

Just as the closing strains of the "Silver Plume" march, which ended the program of the concert given by the band at the Epworth League festival in the M. E. church yard last night, were dying away in this distance the soul of Hezekiah Balch Newby burst the cords which bound it to its tenement of clay and winged its way to the presence of its creator to join that invisible but innumerable throng who have gone before.

Deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Asberry Newby and was born near Mt. Vernon, August 17, 1873, consequently was but a little less than 24 years of age at the time of his death.

May 9, 1893, he accepted a position in the Southern Illinois Hospital for the Insane at Anna under the superintendency of Dr. Lence, where he remained two years and three months when he voluntarily severed his connection with that institution and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, to lay the foundation for a professional life. After studying for one year he was compelled to abandon his chosen career and devote himself to an out-of-door life. After a short rest, however, he again resumed his hospital duties at Anna, where he remained for a brief period when he returned to Mt. Vernon broken in health and spirit.

For the past year he has resided here with his brother, Morton, but that dreadful disease consumption had fastened itself upon him and he gradually grew worse, although everything possible was done to arest its ravages that medical science could suggest. Irressistably the disease grew upon him and for several months the only release that offered from its thralldom was death itself.

That he was a young man of high aspirations and generous impulses is indicated by the following quotation which he transcribed in his sister's album on his departure from home May 9, 1893:

Remember the bright May morning I started for Anna with these thoughts in my mind.
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
Your brother,
-- H.B. Newby

Deceased was ambitious, energetic and of loving disposition and possessed many of those qualities of head and heart which are so much admired.

Few young men in the community was more widely known and respected than Ki Newby and although his death was not unexpected, the announcement that his spirit had taken its flight was a great shock to his friends who sincerely mourn his departure.

He leaves a sister, Miss Effie, and three brothers, Morton, Ambrose and William to lament his demise.

The funeral services will be held at the residence of Morton Newby at 105 South First street, at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morning. Friends of the family invited. The interment will be at Old Union cemetery.

Source: The Register
Date: July 7, 1897
Submitted by Lodi Palmer
Relationship: 1st cousin 3x removed