This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Odell Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Hi.2ADI/1771 Message Board Post: Lafayette Daily Journal Friday, October 20, 1871 DEATH OF MAJOR ODELL While in the midst of our obituary notice of Captain Chris Miller, at half-past 12 o'clock this morning, we were inconceivably shocked by the announcement of a messenger that Major Joseph Odell, associate editor of this paper, was dead. Hardly believing our senses, and inclined to think our informant was laboring under some kind of hallucination, we hurried to the residence on Ferry Street, just east of St. John's Church, to find the sad tidings only too true. We had called upon him at 8 o'clock in the evening and spent three quarters of an hour in his room. At that time, though suffering from the effects of a recent bilious attack, he was able to sit up in bed, and even walk about the room, and was apparently sound in mind. In fact, he wrote a dozen or more lines for these columns, announcing to his constituents, as Councilman for the fourth ward, and his law patrons, that he would be found at this post of duty today. A week ago last Friday night, Major Odell went to Louisville on business. On Saturday morning he returned to Indianapolis, expecting to find a train to this city, but there being none north he waited until Monday morning. Being too late for this train he was compelled to remain there until Monday afternoon. He was here taken with severe bilious attack, which confined him to his room in the Sherman House, until last Monday evening, when he was able to take the train for this city in company with Mr. Coombs, his law partner, arriving at home in improved health and good spirits. Since then he kept his room, awaiting complete resuming the duties of active business. Mrs. Odell and two of the children have been spending some weeks among friends in Kentucky, and she did not know of her husbands illness. She will only hear of his death through the telegraph this morning. The house was in charge of his daughter Belle, aged about fifteen, and a servant girl, whom Mrs. Odell lef! t behind. Mr. Odell had been in medical charge of Mrs. Dr. Pierce. The servant girl informs us that Mr. Odell was quite restless between 9 and 10 o'clock, and near 11 was taken with something like a convulsion. Mrs. Pierce was sent for, but before her arrival, the girl, at his request, gave him a couple of teaspoonsful of medicine left for that purpose, which apparently eased him a little. When Mrs. Pierce arrived he was in an insensible condition and beyond human aid. Mrs. Odell has been telegraphed to and will probably arrived by the late train tonight. The situation of his daughter Belle is indeed a trying one and she has the sympathy of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Major Odell was a member of LaFayette Lodge No. 15, I.O.O.F., though not recently connected therewith. The funeral will probably take place under the auspices of the Order tomorrow or Sabbath. Further notice will be given as soon as as the wishes of the family are made known.