Emma (Blight) Hitchens
Marriages
James Henry Hitchens - 1876
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - February 4, 1925
MRS. EMMA HITCHENS ROUTT COUNTY PIONEER
Enroute from Denver January 29, Mrs. Emma HITCHENS, wife of the late James HITCHENS, died on the train at Corona at 3 o'clock in the morning. Mrs. HITCHENS, who had been on a pleasure trip in Denver and enjoying visits with relatives and friends in Northern Colorado, had contracted a sever cold which developed into bronchitis. She was urged by relatives who were with her to delay her return home until she felt better, but she was anxious to get home and did not consider her illness serious. Her daughter, Mrs. C. W. VanCLEAVE, her sister, and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. HITCHENS, were with her on the train. Her passing away was like going to sleep.
Mrs. James HITCHENS was born in Cornwall, England, December 8, 1854, and was 70 years old at the time of her death. She was married to James HITCHENS in England in 1876. She was a sister of Mrs. W. M. HITCHENS, the two women having married brothers. Her first home in this country was in Pennsylvania. Later the family moved to Central City where Mr. HITCHENS engaged in mining and ore hauling for several years. In 1887 they came to Routt county, establishing a home on the ranch near Milner. In 1920 their residence became the Pool post office, later changed to Milner, where Mr. HITCHENS acted as postmaster until his death in 1920.
At the time of the arrival of the HITCHENS in Routt county there were few settlers, and they have contributed a large share toward the development of the country. The many people who have traveled the road during the years of Mrs. HITCHENS' residence on the ranch remembered with kindly feelings her graciousness and hospitality. She was always at their service in her home, never neglecting to give the tired wayfarer a meal. It became her duty to attend the business of the post office while her husband was at work in the field, and her courtesy and patience made many friends for her.
Mrs. HITCHENS is survived by five children, Mrs. Churchie VanCLEAVE, Mrs. Frank DAGGETT, Henry, Chester and Albert HITCHENS, fifteen grandchildren and her sister, Mrs. W. M. HITCHENS, all of whom reside in this county.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from the Methodist church under the direction of Mr. Heyer. In the absence of the pastor, Rev. R. A. Johnson of the Episcopal church officiated. The church was filled with the many relatives and friends of the deceased, her sister lodge members of the Royal Neighbors occupied a part of the church. Two songs, "Asleep in Jesus" and "Abide With Me" were sung by Mrs. F. J. Blackmer, Mrs. Sam Stevens, Mrs. Hoyt Shaw and Mrs. Fahrion, with Deane Wither at the piano. The pallbearers were E. W. DAVIS, George WITHER, C. W. NEIMAN, Claude LUEKENS, George TRULL and Daniel STUKEY. Interment was at the Steamboat Springs Cemetery. Many beautiful flowers covered the casket.
