Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/634 Surname: Laughlin, Kane, Ryan ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Wednesday, March 9, 1927 The Funeral of Will Laughlin Large Attendance. Member of One of the Best Pioneer Families of County. The funeral of Wm. Laughlin, who was killed Tuesday evening of last week, a complete report of which appeared in the Democrat, was held last Saturday. Services were conducted in the Assumption church to which the family belonged for 55 years or more. A requiem high mass was celebrated by the pastor, Very Rev. J.G. Murtagh. He spoke with much feeling concerning the tragedy. While he deplored the unprovoked murder, he hoped that bitterness would not be aroused or resentment shown towards the relatives of the young man who had committed the deed. He advised his people to stand at all times for peace and law and order and to leave the adjustment of criminal affairs to our courts and public authorities. His sentiments were given the earnest approval of all who had heard him. Several of the relatives of Blake McMacken were present. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. There was an unusually large attendance of relatives and friends. Graettinger was largely represented as the old Laughlin home is not far from that place. The pall bearers were Joseph Mulroney, Alex Cullen, T.F. Rutledge, Bert Ryan, James Burns and John Nolan. William Laughlin, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lott Laughlin, was born in Walnut township, January 5, 1879. His age was 48. He was educated in the school of his home neighborhood. While his opportunities in this respect were fairly limited, he was known as an exceptionally brilliant mathematician. Several of his teachers commented on his success in this particular after learning of the sad tragedy. Attaining the years of manhood, he subsequently spent his life in Emmetsburg and vicinity. He once conducted a meat market and he bought live stock for many years, making his home with his parents, and, after they died, with his sister, Mrs. William Kane. He served on the city council for several terms. His death is mourned by three brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Martin, well known at Graettinger, Lott, who is engaged in business at Shreveport, Louisiana, and P.J., who has a good position in the Denver National Bank. The sisters are Mrs. W.T. Kane of Emmetsburg, Mrs. M.F. Ryan of Mobridge, South Dakota, and Miss Rose Laughlin, who is supervisor of the C.M. & St. P. hospital at Mobridge. All were present at the obsequies. Mr. Laughlin was a quiet, unpretentious, clean living gentleman and he enjoyed the good will and the warm esteem of all who knew him. The members of the family were among the most respected and honored in the history of our county. Will's grandmother, Mrs. Martin Laughlin, cooked the first meal that was served for the members of the old Irish colony, which located north west of this city in 1856. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lott Laughlin, were as conscientious, upright, honorable people as any in Iowa. Will would be the last man in our county to participate in a dispute of any kind or to become aggravated. In this respect he was very much like his father. He would never trespass on the rights of others nor cast nay refelction on a fellow citizen. He was very kind to little children and especially to the small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kane with whom he made his home. He met a very sad death. Those who knew him from early childhood do not think for a moment that he did anything to provoke the awful crime that was committed. The sorrowing survivers have the heartfelt sympathy of our many citizens in their bereavement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Wednesday, March 9, 1927 Not Much Doing in District Court The grand jury has for several days been considering the charges against Blake McMacken for the murder of Will Boblit and Will Laughlin Tuesday night of last week. Those who are serving on the jury are C.J. Miller, P.H. Johnson, D.E. Cross, R.T. Peterson, B.J. Berkland, M.L. Murphy and H.L. Head. Link: Palo Alto County, Iowa USGenWeb Project URL: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm>