DEATH OF MERRILL HUTCHINS.
This community was startled on Wednesday morning by the sad announcement that Mr. Merrill Hutchins had died a few minutes after the usherance of the day. Mr. Hutchins attended to his duties in the same apparent health as is usual, and was at his place of business as late as 10 o'clock. When he went home he complained of being numb, and in a short time Dr. MeKenna was called and administered to his wants, and the doctor soon had him engaged in pleasant conversation. All of a sudden, without the least warning, Mr. Hutchins sank back in his chair and life was extinct. The deceased had been in ill-health for the past dozen years and his disease baffled the skill of scienced men, but no one thought or expected that the end was so near.

Mr. Hutchins was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., November 7, 1836, and came to Iowa with his parents in 1852. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co. I. 20th Iowa Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, having been engaged in the battles of Wilson's Creek. Siege of Vicksburg, Prairie Grove; Newtonia, Siege of Fort Morgan and many others. During his long service he never missed being present at roll call. In 1866 he was married to Martha J. Peterson at Palo, Linn County, Iowa, and the union has been a most happy one up to the present time. Mr. Hutchins was a good citizen and was ever ready to help a neighbor or friend who was needing anything to alleviate want.

The funeral, which will be conducted by McPherson Post, of which deceased was a worthy member, will be held from the M.E. Church at 4 o'clock this afternoon.