Death of Professor Theodore Edwin Andrews in Alaska
By G. W. Reaser
ANDREWS.—Died at Topkuk, near Nome City, Alaska, about Sept. 12, 1900, Prof. Theodore Edwin Andrews. The circumstances of Brother Andrews’ decease were peculiarly sad. Until a few months ago he was employed as the teacher of English in Walla Walla College. Last May, in company with Brother W. R. Sutherland, he went to Cape Nome, with the hope of securing money to liquidate some personal debts which were pressing him, and, as he expressed it, were a serious hindrance to him in his work in the school. On the date already mentioned, while engaged in mining on a sand bar in a river bed, twelve miles from the ocean, the river suddenly became swollen from heavy rains in the mountains; and the raging torrent, rushing seaward, was met by the destructive tidal wave that visited the coast of Alaska on that day. The two brethren were surrounded by the flood, causing the drowning of Brother Andrews, who could not swim; while Brother Sutherland, after a severe struggle with the angry waters, reached shore. After the waters had subsided, search was made, but in vain, for the remains of Brother Andrews. It would have been a great satisfaction to Brother Andrews’ wife as well as to his father, mother, and sister, could the remains have been laid to rest in College Place (Wash.) Cemetery, beside his sister Carrie, who died about two years ago, of tuberculosis. Professor Andrews was born at Arcadia, Mich., April 5, 1870, and was, therefore, in the thirty-first year of his life when death overtook him. In the death of Professor Andrews the cause has lost a successful laborer, and Walla Walla College a teacher of marked ability. Memorial services were conducted by the writer, assisted by Elders Holbrook and Starbuck, in the chapel at College Place, Sabbath, September 29, in the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation. G. W. REASER.