TAMPCO TORNADO
September 26, 1918

DEATH OF A TAMPICO PIONEER ELI C. CAIN

Eli CAIN One of The Pioneers Of This Community Dies Here Tuesday Morning Elie CAIN one of the pioneers of this community and one of the oldest and best known citizens, died at the home of his son H.E. CAIN, Tuesday morning about 8:15 following two weeks sickness. Senility was the leading factor in the cause of his death. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist church and internment where the services at the grave will be in charge of the Masons. Eli Crompton CAIN was one of the true old pioneers who settled in this country when it was nothing but a raw prairie and when he first settled in Fairfield township in 1856 it was no uncommon sight to see Indians in the timber in what was known on early county maps as CAIN's grove. When he settled here more than a half century ago he often crossed the swamps from Green river to Como and there was not a single house to be seen. He lived to see the country develop and thos same swamps become $200 acre land. He was born in Ohio Nov. 26, 1836 and moved from there to Valparasio, Ind., and then in 1856 settled in Fairfield township where he settled until 1872 when he moved to Tampico and conducted the hotel for a number of years, later he moved back to the farm and then again came back to Tampico which has since been back to Tampico which has since been his home. He was married to Rachael KNOX in 1868. He is survived by three children, H.E. CAIN of Tampico, Liva M. HEIN of Champaign and G.W. KNOX of Tampico. Also two brothers, Thomas of Yates Center, Kans. and Z.T. CAIN of McAlester, Okla. The deceased was the oldest Mason with one exception of Tampico Lodge No. 655 and only for sickness would have been one of its charter members. He took a prominent part in the Masonic fraternity and in his younger days was one of the best posted of the brethern. Uncle Eli as he was familiarly called was known to everyone in Tampico and his many friends and acquaintances enjoyed his quaint humor, geniality and reminiscences. He served a long and useful life and will be cherished in the memory not only of his relatives and family but in his many friends. A few days before his death and realizing the days were drawing to a close, he requested that no money be spent for flowers or ribbons but that all that might be thus spent be given to the Red Cross.