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Passed Away

W.S. Higgins died last night at the county hospital. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army, but not affiliated with the local lodges. He had been ill for some time, but had many friends here who looked carefully after his wants. He was a native of Ohio and 66 years of age.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 25, 1897)

The flag of the Odd Fellows is flying at half-mast out of respect to the memory of M.S. Higgins, who died in Santa Cruz Tuesday evening. The deceased was a native of Ohio aged 66 years, and belong to the Odd Fellow lodge in Nebraska.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 26, 1897)

The Funeral of M.S. Higgins

Another of our country's defenders has been mustered out. He has passed on to the silent bivouac of the dead, and his tent is now pitched with that innumerable host who are camped beyond the river. He was buried Thursday under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, to which he belonged. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, but few of whom were present, and they were in the ranks of the Odd Fellows, who turned out to honor him, who belong to the order. I saw but a small cortege wending its way into the city of the dead, as this comrade, far from his home and kindred was laid to rest. His last wishes were complied with by the friends who stood by him in his sickness, and who followed him to this final rest on the green slope facing the San Lorenzo. There were no relatives present. He was a member of some Post in Ohio, and a native of that State. I expected to see many comrades at the funeral, but as they were not there I suppose the time was too short for a gathering to be made.

The ranks are thinning faster and faster as the years go by and soon the last one will be called to the camp of peace beyond the river. Veteran (I.L. Blaisdell)

Date of Birth: 1831

Date of Death: 1897-03-23

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz Memorial Park

Plot: J10

Cause of Death: Kid/Pyelitis

Occupation: Merchant

Height: 5'11

Complexion: Lt

Eye Color: Bl

Hair Color: Rd

Local Address: County Hospital

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: OH

Enlisted: 1862/07/23

Discharged: 1865/05/21

Military Unit: OH_ 118 Inf_ Co H

Rank: Lt1

Military Notes: R_E-N/L_ Rsg_ also Pvt G 23 OH D

GAR#: YES?

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: Cemetery Survey