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| The following passage is from an
obituary written for Mrs. Tyson: Drowned in the Deepfork of Candian River on Sac and Fox Agency, Oklahoma Territory on Jan 21st 1894. Gustus P. Tyson, age 23 years, 1 month and 8 days, and wife age 20 years, 11 months and 3 days. Mrs. Tyson was a daughter of our esteemed citizens, Mr. And Mrs. Robert P. Fann of Raymore Township. Both parties were well and favorable known here, having lived in Greenwood, Jackson County, Missouri, where Mr. Tyson was engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed until death. Two years ago, he secured a position in an agency school in the territory. Last Fall himself and wife paid his parents, relatives and friends in Missouri quite a lengthy visit enjoying themselves greatly. At the beginning of this winter's term he was transferred to another government school at his own request, where his wife was beginning to assist him in his school (can't read) Indian boys and girls, acting the part, we dare say, of true missionaries. Mr. Tyson's parents live at Cockrell, Missouri. The circumstances connected with this event are as follows: A miss Minnie Chapman, Mr. F. N. Thackery, Mr. G. P. Tyson and wife, all accompanied by an Indian boy, started across the country in a spring wagon after a little Indian girl. Arriving at the above named river 8 miles from the Agency, they found the stream greatly swollen. |
The Indian boy remarked in his dialect, "water
deep". They parleyed a moment and drove in. The horses at once were compelled to
swim. They were panic stricken. The water rose over the wagon bed. Miss Chapman said
"Let us jump and swim." The Indian boy jumped out, swam ashore and succeeded
with the aid of a pole in rescuing Mr. Thackery. Mrs. Tyson, being an expert swimmer,
while her husband was a cripple, made a noble effort to save him by throwing her right arm
around his waist and swimming with her left. They went under twice together but the second
time they had separated; both sank out of sight. Although the Agency is sixty miles from a railroad, Mr. Fann was at once notified by a telegram of the sad event. Miss Chapman's body was found that night (Sunday); Mr. Tyson's body Tuesday. (Family notes indicate that Julia's body was not found until one week later.) The bodies were taken to the Agency where the ladies prepared them for burial in a most appropriate and touching manner. The funeral exercises were conducted by an Indian Baptist minister after which the remains were interred side by side in one wide grade - there to rest from their unfinished labors until the resurrection morn, when the faithful shall come forth to receive the reward reserved for the pure in heart. The bereaved parents and relatives have the generous sympathy of the (can't read) in their (can't read) and affliction. |