125 years ago in 1899, headlines and story transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

The death of Mrs. Hannah M. Arms, relict (widow) of Charles D. Arms, occurred in New York City, Sunday afternoon at one o’clock after a brief illness from pneumonia.

In all of Youngstown, there was not a woman who was more respected, more honored, or more truly loved by all who knew her than Mrs. Arms, and the many utterances of regret and sympathy for the sorely stricken ones, which greeted the sad intelligence, testified to the personal sorrow felt, and were so sincere that one could readily perceive they were prompted by genuine grief. The seeming abruptness with which the final chapter in life’s story had been completed, added, as it were, another thorn to the sorrow.

A week ago yesterday, Mrs. Arms departed for the metropolis, little dreaming that she would never again be privileged to return alive or spend a few happy hours in the home she loved so well. In fact, the very last action she performed prior to her departure, was to send a message to her sister, Miss Laure E. Wick, who also is seriously ill, inquiring after her condition, and expressing the hope that she would be improved upon her return.

The cold from which Mrs. Arms suffered slightly while home, rapidly developed into pneumonia, and last Tuesday she was obliged to take to her bed. The most capable attendants in New York exerted their best efforts on her behalf, but were finally forced to acknowledge a power more skillful than they and submit to His Decree. Wednesday it was deemed advisable to summon her immediate relatives and their presence at her bedside seemed to brighten her condition, but it was only temporarily, and at the hour stated above, all worldly cares and sufferings faded in that gentle slumber which knows no waking.

Mrs. Arms was a daughter of the late Colonel and Mrs. Caleb B. Wick and was ushered into this life September 9, 1832, in the old family homestead then located at the corner of Federal and Hazel Streets. She was educated in the local public schools, later attending a young ladies’ seminary at Hudson, Ohio. In May, 1852, she was united in marriage with the late Charles D. Arms, whose demise occurred about three years ago. Their journey through life together was one of continued happiness and prosperity and the separation from him who had been her faithful protector for nearly half a century, was an affliction from which she never fully recovered. She was a valued member of the Ladies’ Reading Circle and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Six daughters — Mrs. Martin (Sarah) Bonnell of Cleveland; Mrs. Harry (Annie) Bonnell, Mrs. H. M. (Laurabell) Robinson, Miss Katherine, Miss Carolyn, and Miss Olive Arms of this city, together with two sisters — Mrs. R. W. Tayler, of Washington, DC, Miss Laura E. Wick; and two brothers, Col. Caleb B. Wick and Mr. H. K. Wick, also of this place, survive.

The remains of Mrs. Arms will arrive on Erie train 5, which reaches here at 5:30 am Tuesday, and will be taken immediately to the family home on Wick Avenue. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

• Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society curator of education.