Pettis County, Mo., Obituary

The unanimity with which the whole city of Sedalia rose up to do homage to the memory of Mrs. Amanda M. Myer, is an event of rare occurrence, one aptly illustrates the hold she had upon the respectful regard and affection of all class of people. Everybody knew her, everybody respected her, and everybody, who had opportunities of forming a judgment of her character confessed that she was indeed an admirable, and a respectable woman. Without wealth and the favorable influences which prestige of family, or birth, sometimes gives those who are also happily endowed by nature, she won friends everywhere. Her manners were gentle, and her knowledge of human nature made her sympathetic and charitable, when others would have been unkind, if not harsh. She was but a young woman when she died, and yet she had accomplished a great deal in a short life. She was a devoted church woman, and no charitable undertaking in the church was without her aid, rarely without her active co-operation and lead. Prompt at every service, and society meetings, choir practices, organizing and managing a festival, decorating a christmas tree, or the church for special occasions, with the same household cares as others. She seemed always to find time for everything, and never to be hurried and even after she had engaged in business, it seemed to make little difference -- she still had time for all these things, and also to build up the leading establishment in her business, and out of the profits and earnings accumulated by her industry and skill, to repay the sums borrowed when she embarked in the hazardous enterprises, -- and yet how quietly it was all done! Not a word of complaint, or doubt or exultation, but all as a matter of course to such an executive and sagacious common-sense woman as she was. She seemed only to plan, and it was done; to will, and her wishes were executed. The most casual observer would notice the spirit of order and harmony which pervaded her household, or her place of business; the influence of some dominating mind. To undertake was to succeed. Without any talent for music, she learned to sing well, and was almost indispensable to the choir; and without having shown any talent for acting, she joined an amateur company, and displayed talents of an order that would have won honor and renown on the boards of a metropolitan theatre. The union of so many fine talents was indeed unusual; and coupled with the versatility she so often displayed in passing from matters of amusement to grave matters of business her executive ability, her strong common sense way of getting at everything, stamped her as a really remarkable woman -- such a woman I have always regarded her; and it is not too much to say of her, that if she had been placed in some exalted social station, some high public position as other women in times past have been, her sterling sense and fine tact would have carried her triumphantly through, and handed her name down to posterity as one of the favored few whose energies and industry have made them shining examples for imitation in after ages. Such she was; and while this may seem overpraise to those who knew but little of her life and character, it is but a just estimate of her real merit, and there have been but few such death beds as hers. What a peaceful acceptance of the tidings that there was no longer hope of life and recovery! not a murmur, not a word of fear, not a reproach of herself or others, but a calm recognition of the fact which she knew as well as anyone, that she was ready. "Wake Carrie," she said, "and tell her to come to me." Quietly and sensibly as ever she talked to them, told them of her wishes, of what they should do, that Carrie should be sent to Baltimore to be educated, and all the little details of the plans her mother’s heard had cherished for them, communed with her husband, for directions about her funeral, named her pall-bearers, sent messages of love and farewell to her friends and neighbors, and to her friends, "The Thespians" with whom she had whiled away many happy evenings in innocent amusements. Then she sent for Mrs. Kniffin to sing a few sacred songs to soothe and prepare her for the flight she was soon to take to the presence of the OMNICIENT.

Like the majestic swan, singing as it dies, she passed away at the gray dawn of morning, in the first rosy light of Aurora, amid the soft twitter of birds, surrounded by relatives and friends, and ascended, we devoutly believe to Him who is the Judge of us all.