Mary "Mollie" Harriett Harper

BAIN, Mary Harriet “Mollie” HARPER – Mr. R.G. Harper of Carrollton, Missouri visited his brother and sister, Mr. W.G. Harper and Mrs. J.C. Bain, last week. [Prairie Grove Herald 5/31/1917]

Mrs. J.C. Bain is reported quite sick. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/4/1918]

Mrs. J.C. Bain Passes Away – The critical illness of Mrs. J.C. Bain for the past week has elicted the sympathy of the entire community and the news of her death at 8:20 o’clock on Tuesday morning threw a mantle of sorrow over a large circle of friends and loved ones. Mrs. Bain was taken ill about three weeks ago with pneumonia and after ten days she was thought to be out of danger when complications set in and, though everything was done, her frail body could not stand the ravages of this disease and like a frail child she fell asleep surrounded by her husband and children.

Mary Harriet Bain was born on a farm west of Carrolton, Missouri November 11, 1852. She was the eldest daughter of thirteen children to Mr. Joel S. Harper and his wife, *** *** Harper. She was united in marriage to Mr. James C. Bain in Carroll County, Missouri October 10, 1869, where they resided until 1880, when they moved to Washington County, Arkansas, locating on a farm near Prairie Grove. Seventeen years ago they moved into the home where she passed away, honored and beloved by all that knew her.

Mrs. Bain converted in the year of 1874 and united with the M.E. Church, South, in her native home. When she came to Prairie Grove she brought her church letter and for 35 years has been a consistent, earnest and faithful member of Wesleyan Methodist Church. She was also a treasured member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a valued worker in the Red Cross Chapter of Prairie Grove. Mrs. Bain’s many kind and noble deeds will live on and on in the lives of those to whom she ministered in sickness and in trouble. She was the tenderest and most devoted wife and mother, a true and loyal friend and a devoted, sincere Christian. There is truly a vacant place in the home that will never be filled.

Beside her husband, she is survived by her seven children; Mr. J.U. Bain of Kansas, Oklahoma; Mr. Ed F. Bain and J.O. Bain, Mrs, Cora B. Campbell, Mrs. Beulah Hannah, wife of Mr. R.O. Hannah, Jr., all of Prairie Grove; Mrs. Myrtle Allison, wife of Mr. William Allison of Tahlequah and Mrs. Estella Watson, wife of Mr. Frank Watson of Fayetteville. She is also survived by the following brothers and sisters, Mr. W.G. Harper of Prairie Grove, Mr. Benjamin F. Harper of Winslow, Messrs. Forrest Harper, Rush G. Harper, Robert B. Harper, M.E. Harper and Crockett R. Harper and Mrs. Lilly Matoey, Mrs. Grace T. Wall and Mrs. Alice G. Cary, all of Carrollton, Missouri.

Mr. Rush Harper of Carrollton and Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Harper of Winslow were at her bedside during her illness, the latter attended the funeral.

The funeral service was held from Wesleyan Methodist Church Wednesday afternoon, April 24th at 2 o’clock, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Thomas I. Beck, assisted by Rev. F.A. Bradshaw and Rev. M.G. Burnett and the interment was made in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. The large and beautiful floral offering were mute sentiments of the love and esteem in which she was held in the community. By the request of the family a large part of the flowers were sent to the City Hospital at Fayetteville to bring joy and sunshine to those lingering on beds of sickness. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/25/1918]

Card of Thanks – We desire to express our most sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the host of thoughtful, kindly friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness and their genuine sympathy during our great affliction in the illness and death of our beloved wife and mother. We would especially pray that the Good Lord remember and bless them every one. J.C. Bain and family. [Prairie Grove Herald 5/2/1918]

Resolutions of Respect, by Mr. L.C. McCormick’s S.S. Class – Whereas, it has pleased our kindly Heavenly Father to remove from our midst our dear sister, neighbor and friend, Mrs. Mary Harriet Bain, we would say to loved ones who have been so closely associated with her during her life, that the greatest thing that can be said of any woman is, she died as she lived, a true Christian.

As a class we shall ever remember her as a worker for good, as a true advocate of all things Christian, gentle and loving in her home, kind and considerate of the feelings of others, ever ready to lend a helping hand to the suffering. May it be said of each member of our class, as we can truly say of our dear sister:

She lived as one who does good, not from fear,

But from a prompting born within a heart,

Whose life and actions seen from year to year,

Proved to the world she did the Christian part.

As years pass by and “one by one” we go,

To meet our Savior, let our record tell,

As did our sister’s, that mankind may know

And say, she’s gone from us but all is well.

(Signed) Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. McNeal – Class Committee [Prairie Grove Herald 5/2/1918]