Catherine Lucinda McCabe

Catherine McCabe, Pioneer Druggist Of Van Tassell, Dies

Mrs. Catherine McCabe, a resident of Van Tassell for more than 40 years, died Friday, Jan. 25, at the Spencer hospital after an illness of several weeks. Mrs. McCabe had long been actively associated with the civic and community life of the town which she made her home.

In 1910 Alex McCabe homesteaded near the booming little town of Van Tassell which had been newly founded and three years later, in 1913, Mrs. McCabe was appointed postmaster, which position she filled for 30 years.

Mrs. McCabe also established a drug store, as she was a licensed pharmacist and besides the post office, the telephone exchange was located in her building and she capably handled all three businesses. Many Van Tassell people relate the help given them by Mrs. McCabe in times of emergency. It may have been a sick child or an animal but in the absence of a doctor, she prescribed and gave unstintedly of her time and strength to all.

During World War I Mrs. McCabe registered all the boys taken from that district. She was a member of the Women's Relief Corps, also of Niobrara County Pioneer Association and the Maccabees lodge.

Catherine Lucinda McCabe was born Nov. 28, 1871 at Howell, Mich., the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Clinton and was married there Nov. 29, 1888 to Alex McCabe. They were the parents of two children, a son Clinton, who died at the age of six months and a daughter, Genevieve, now Mrs. Andrew McMaster.

Mr. McCabe was a pharmacist so after their marriage Mrs. McCabe also took a course in pharmacy at the Big Rapids School of Pharmacy in Michigan and was the only woman in a large class of men.

SERVICES MONDAY
Rosary services were conducted Sunday evening at the Peet Chapel by the Rev. Father M. J. McBrien and the funeral service was held from St. Leo's Catholic church Monday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock. The casket bearers were Lou Bass, Don Ellicott, Frank Martin, Wesley Peterson, Robert Bancroft and James E. Barrett. Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery.

Other survivors, beside her daughter, Mrs. Genevieve McMaster of Van Tassell, is a grandson, Jack McMaster of Van Tassell; four sisters, Mrs. Joseph Watts, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Mame Conklin, Chicago, Mrs. Fannie Kavanaugh and Mrs. W.C. Devereaux, Pinckney, Mich. One sister, Mrs. W.J. Kearns of Chicago preceded Mrs. McCabe in death.

Among the out-of-town relatives and friends here for the services were Mrs. Kavanaugh; Mrs. Dick Lange of Alliance, Nebr., sister of Andrew McMaster; and a niece and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. George Vorovka of Hemingford, Nebr.; Mrs. Harve Bass, Chadron, Nebr.; Governor and Mrs. Frank A. Barrett, Cheyenne; and a large number of friends from Van Tassell, Torrington and other communities.

The Lusk Herald
January 5, 1956
Pioneer postmistress of Van Tassell died Jan. 25, 1952

When first we knew her she was spry
And chipper as a sparrow,

With bright, clear eyes, steps light but firm
And back straight as an arrow.

She always smiled and never failed
To ask about the children.
She loved them all, and they loved her,
She seldom hushed or scolded.

Morning, noon and night they came
For tablets, pencils, candy,
She tied their shoes, sewed buttons on,
And kept a wash cloth handy.

She wrapped cut fingers, bandaged knees,
Each day some child she'd aid;
Those years of service were her live,
And many friends she made.

The years rolled on and took their toll
Of strength she could not spare,
But pride was ever uppermost
And independence always there.

With eyes grown dim and body frail
She wandered back one day,
She smiled and waved as from her door
Then quietly she slipped away.

As always when one's life is spent
In service to mankind,
The loss is great, for those who serve
Are mighty hard to find.

Edna Adams

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