Robinson Constitution - July 19, 1899; page 1, column 2
Death came to the relief of Mrs. Mary J. Hand at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 13th, 1899. She had been speechless and helpless of paralyses since Sept. 13, 1898.
Mrs. Hand was the daughter of Needham and Mary Cox and was born in this county, May 3, 1838. She was joined in marriage to W. D. Hand on Oct. 21, 1855. To them were born six children, four of whom survive, viz: Malinda Ella, Daniel W., Augusta B., Cooper and William Sherman. All reside in this county except Mr. Cooper who lives in Terre Haute. Mrs. hand, together with her husband, united with the Hutsonville Baptist church in 1863, and lived a consistent Christian until death. One of her last acts was to buy material for bedding that she might care for the people who were expected to attend the Palestine Baptist Association in this city last fall. She was stricken with paralysis, however, a few days before the association convened. In 1861, she gave consent for her husband to enter the army and cared for three small children until 1865, when the war closed.
The funeral occurred at the Baptist Church Friday noon, conducted by Eld. J. L. Cox, who was a playmate of Mrs. Hand during their childhood. A choir of voices from the various churches rendered impressive music, after which all that was mortal of this good woman was taken to the Draper cemetery, 2 1/2 miles north of Hutsonville and tenderly laid to rest.