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ROTHERMEL--In San Jose, Cal., March 31, 1906. Louis Rothermel, a native of Germany, aged 82 years. Funeral private today (Monday) at 10:30 o'clock a. m. from the family residence, 791 South First street. (No flowers). Interment Cypress Lawn cemetery.
It is a remarkable coincidence that Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and John Adams, its great supporter, both afterward Presidents of the United States, died on the same day, and that Independence day, 1826.--Washington Star.
RUCKER--In San Francisco, March 4, 1899, James T. Rucker, a native of California, aged 36 years, 10 months and 6 days. Funeral TO-DAY (Monday), at 2 o'clock P. M., from his late residence, 1921 Vallejo street, San Francisco.
SUDDEN DEATH OF J. T. RUCKER
Died of Pneumonia Yesterday in San Francisco.
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LONG TIME COUNTY RESIDENT
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He Leaves a Wife and Three Children. His Brothers and Sisters Reside in This City.
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A message was received last evening in this city announcing the death of James T. Rucker at his residence, 1921 Vallejo street, San Francisco, where he has been residing for about a year. The news was sudden and unexpected, not only to his many friends in this city, but as well to his immediate family.
He was taken with a chill last Monday, which settled into the dread disease pneumonia, which resulted in his death. Although his family in this city knew he was very ill, they did not apprehend serious results. Yesterday a message sent by Dr. Wayland to Mr. Rucker's attending physicians in the city, Drs. Buckley and McNutt, received the answer that his case was considered hopeless, and members of his family started at once for his bedside. Before they were half way to San Francisco a second message announced that he was dead. His death occurred at 3:30 yesterday.
James T. Rucker was 37 years of age last April. He was one of a family of seven, four boys and three girls, who have been itimately connected with the interests of Sant Clara county, and have a broad circle of friends and acquaintances. He was born near Gilroy, where his father owned a ranch at that time. Completing his education he entered the employ of T. W. Spring of this city. Afterward he went to San Francisco and was for some time with the carpet house of W. J. Sloan & Co. Returning to this city he engaged in a partnership business with his twin brother, S. N. Rucker, as furniture and carpet dealers and for many years they did a flourishing business, first in the Lefranc building and afterward in the large Phelan block. They dissolved partnership and went out of business about one year ago.
About ten years ago Mr. Rucker married Anna Bliss, the daughter of George E. Bliss, a large and well-known cattle dealer. He leaves his wife and three children, a daughter of 8 years and two sons, aged respectively 5 and 3 years.
Mr. Rucker was a member of Howard Chapter and San Jose Lodge, No. 10, F. and A. M.., and Palo Alto Parlor, N. S. G. W. His almost continuous residence in this city during his lifetime has given him a host of friends to mourn his early death. His funeral will occur to-morrow in San Francisco, where he will be interred.
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DEATH OF JIM RUCKER
"It is hard to realize that Jim Rucker has gone," said a San Jose friend of this popular young Native Son, who died at his home in San Francisco recently, after a short illness the ailment being pneumonia.
"It may be because his illness was of so brief duration," he continued, "and that it was only a few days before his deth that he was in apparent good health. Jim was a vigorous fellow; always full of ginger; always ready to see the ludicrous side of everything. He could smile as often as any man I ever knew. He always appeared to have a good view of the sunny side of life. This accounted, I think, in a great measure for his popularity, for his good humor and cheerful manner were contagious. His individuality was strong enough, however, so that he had some enemies, but even those will recognize his many good qualities, and all agree that it does not seem as though his time had come, as he was only 37 years old, and he was taken away at a time when the world seemed full of happiness for him, and his charming family.
"Jim had not had very good luck for some time past until lately. After he went out of business in San Jose, he traveled for awhile for a San Francisco firm, but the business ws not congenial to him, so a few months ago he formed a partnership with Charles Francee, the Mayor of Salinas, and a prminent resident of that section, to represent a number of Eastern furniture factories on this coast. Jim went East and made the arrangements. As he had had long experience in the furniture and carpet business, it was right in his line.
"He made a trip up the northern coast, visiting Portland, Seattle, Tacoma and other points in that section. He did a big business. He found that things were coming his way. He seemed to be getting out of the shadows and into the sunlight again. He had engagements in San Francisco and Los Angeles that could not wait; if he did not get there in time he would lose expected orders, so he worked day and night during the northern trip and was pretty well fagged out when he got back to San Francisco on Friday night.
"He did not complain of being tired when he reached home, but he remained at the house most of Saturday and Sunday. On Monday morning he went down town. At about 10 o'clock he ws taken with a chill on the street. He went into a drug store and got some quinine and called a carriage by telephone, but before it arrived he had another chill. He reached home and a physician was summoned at once. The sickness was pronounced pneumonia.
"After a few days his physicians told him he was very ill; that he had a chance to get well. "Not much of a chance, I guess he replied, "but don't tell my wife about it; I may pull through all right.'
"On Thursday his brother San [sic] came. Jim told him that he feared that it was his last sickness. Sam replied that he had been just as sick and got well; that he had plenty of chances to recover. Jim said that he did not want his wife to know how sick he was. " 'Don't let her know it Sam,' he said. 'If I get well it'll be all right, and if I don't it'll be the same; no use of having her worry about me.'
"On Friday his condition was regarded as very critical. His physicians told him they had had patients just as ill, and they had recovered, but his case was very grave. Jim had no fear of death. In the brief conversations with those about him the perennial smile was on his face. He made no complaint.
"One of the fathers of the Catholic church called to see him. Jim was not a church member. He knew the father well and passed the usual joke with him--Jim always had a josh ready. Religious matters were not discussed until, just as the father was leaving, he asked Jim if he would repeat the Lord's Prayer. Jim assented and did so.
"On Saturday his condition was such that the attending physicians said that if the patient could survive the day he had a chance to live. at 3:10 o'clock in the afternoon his wife sat at the bedside. Jim spoke to her occasionally. His manner was about the same as it had been during his illness. He seemed to be having more difficulty in breathing. His wife leaned over him and said, softly:
" 'Jim; do you know me?'
" 'Yes Annie; it will be all right in a minutes,' he replied, smiling.
"It was indeed 'all right in a minute.' Before the seconds of Jim's minute had ticked away, with a smile on his face, he was at rest for eternity."
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MARRIED.
TENNYSON-COLLISON--In San Francisco, January 16, 1906, by the Rev. H. H. Bell, Dr. Howard A. Tennyson, of San Jose, Cal., and Juanita A. Collison, of San Francisco.
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BIRTHS.
[Hand-written date: 1879]
PARKER--In this city, January 23, the wife of Edward W. Parker, of a son.
ASHMORE--In this city, January 20, the wife of William E. Ashmore, of a daughter.
BOURGUIGNON--In this city, January 22, the wife of E. Bourguignon, of a daughter.
BARNES--In this city, January 20, the wife of William Barnes, of a daughter.
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DIED.
ROSEMAN--In San Jose, September 19, 1891, Mrs. Elizabeth Roseman a native of Hesse Darmstaht, Germany, aged 83 years, 5 months and 12 days, mother of Mrs. Margaret Howes and grandmother of Frank Waidhaas, Rosalio and Miss Pauline Salmon. Interment private.
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HAD NARROW ESCAPE [hand-written date: 10-29-05]
A horse driven by C. G. Fisher caught its foot in the street car tracks on Santa Clara street near First and was thrown to the pavement. The rig was broken and Fisher escaped by jumping in the nick of time.
[Carl George Fischer per Great-granddaughter, Laura Morley Collier]
