Mrs. O'Neill Called

Highly Esteemed Lewiston Lady Victim of Illness Extending Over Period of Five Months.

At 5 o'clock yesterday morning, at the family home, 1158 Idaho street, Mrs. Eugene O'Neill passed away following an illness of about five months, brought on by a stroke of paralysis. Since the attack, Mrs. O'Neill had been confined to her bed but when death came it was met peacefully and without suffering.

With the removal of this highly esteemed matron, Lewiston loses another of its outstanding women. During her 45 years residence in this city, Mrs. O'Neill had taken at all times a very active interest in the affairs of not only this community but of the state. She pioneered in woman suffrage work, prior to the enactment of that law in Idaho, this being the fourth state in the union granting women the same rights of franchise as men. Mrs. O'Neill not only interested those of her sex in Lewiston in taking steps to better their condition in becoming more vitally concerned in such legislation, but made trips to many of the surrounding towns as well.

Ardent W. C. T. U. Worker.

In all civic movements she played a leading part. For many years she attached herself to the work of the W. C. T. U. here and was among its most ardent supporters. Years ago, believing Lewiston should possess a library for its people, she, as a member of the Chatuaqua club, the parent organization of the Taceminicum club, with other women of this city, arranged for benefit entertainments to be given, the library being the beneficiary, and more than 20 years ago, it was found possible to bring to this city this valuable asset.

In religious work she also played an important part in the life of Lewiston, first as a member of the Presbyterian church, conducting a class of girls for a number of years, and later with the Christian Science church, in which she has held virtually every office, reader and trustee among others.

Born in Massachusetts.

Mrs. O'Neill was born at Lee, Massachusetts, January 5, 1855. Following her graduation from the normal school at Westfield, in that state, she was engaged there as an instructor, and later taught in the Whitinsville, Massachusetts, school. Her marriage to Mr. O'Neil occurred at Dayton, Washington, November 1, 1884, he having at that time located in Lewiston but a few months; and immeditely afterward they returned to this city and since that time their residence has been continuous. Their first home was on the site of the present one.

Mrs. O'Neill is survived by a husband, a practising attorney here for 45 years and for a great part of that time holding the position of United States commissioner for this district; one son, Lawrence O'Neill, an attorney at Tacoma, Washington, who arrived here yesterday afternoon; one daughter, Mrs. Bernice Greb, of Seattle, Washington, who may not find it possible to come for burial on account of illness; and two brothers and one sister, Charles O. Toole, Dalton, Massachusetts; James W. Toole, Holyoke Massachusetts, and Miss Ida E. Toole, of Springfield, Massachusetts.