Ed. Northwest: Permit me to relate to your readers the sad visitations of death to the family of Daniel Houser, of McClure, in the month of March, 1882. His family was composed of parents, one son and three loving daughters, aged respectfully as follows: Mary C, 11 yrs., 4 mo. and 12 days. Nettie F., 6 yrs., 10 mo. and 15 days; and Dora L., 5 yrs., 8 mo. and 27 days. They were bound together by the ties of love and friendship making them one of the happy families of the village. But, alas! How fleeting the moments of their joy. The scarlet fever visited this village, and in less than three weeks the three daughters in the morn of life were transplanted from earthly soil to bloom in the garden of eternal beauty. On the 1st of March Nettie, young and fair as the early rose that adorns the garden, was taken from that home, carried to the silent cemetery near by, and while tears were flowing and grief causing the heart to swell, lovely Nettie was placed in the cold damp grave; few were the witnesses that beheld the sad scene, fearful of spreading so fatal a disease. A second one, Mary, soon became very bad, and on the 7th of the month her spirit took its flight to join her little sister in the land beyond the blue. Again as we followed her to the cemetery deep sorrow seemed depicted on every countenance; no funeral service save a few words by the writer at the grave, while grief which words fail to tell filled those parents' hearts. They returned to that home once filled with joy, but now made lonely by the absence of Nettie and Mary. A third and only daughter was there, deeply afflicted little Dora, she seemed more lovely than ever. Sad hearts watched with greatest care, while steps of the destroyer came nearer additional medical skill was called. Sympathizing hearts were opened to aid and comfort, but all of no avail, and soon she was called over the river with Nettie and Mary. Memorial service was held at Damascus Church May 14, by the writer. J. W. M.