Caroline Jergens Schmidt (1858-1896)
(Mrs. Frederick C. "Fred" Schmidt)

Marriage license	Family photo

This article comes from the December 4, 1896, issue of the Lake County Star (page 3, column 6):

A Critical Operation

On Tuesday afternoon of this week Drs. Blackstone and Gibbs performed an operation on Mrs. Fred C. Smith, by taking out the left eye and the growth behind it, which is supposed to be a tumor. The case has baffled the doctors here, and a Chicago specialist gave it up some time ago, saying that he was afraid to take the eye out. It was so painful and was shortening the woman's life so fast that our physicians made the operation as a last resort, and do not know whether they can effect a cure, or not. Mrs. Smith's health is badly broken down and the intense pain she has endured so long has partially unbalanced her reason, and the chances are that she will not recover. She stood the operation well and if the pain is subdued by the chance taken, she will get some benefit, at least, if the worst comes. She has been a great sufferer for the past two months.

The following article comes from the December 11, 1896, issue of the Lake County Star (page 3, column 6):

The Battle of Life Ended

Mrs. Fred C. Schmidt, of whom the STAR made mention last week, died at 12 o'clock Monday night, Dec. 7th, 1896, after receiving all the aid possible that human hands could give her. After a Chicago eye specialist had given the case up she decided to have the eye taken out, hoping that the operation might prolong her stay on earth with her husband and four children. The operation was performed by Drs. Blackstone and Gibbs Dec. 1st, and until the fourth day afterwards she felt much better, and hopes of her recovery grew stronger. After the fourth day she began to grow worse, and gradually grew weaker until the end came, having her full senses to the last. Mrs. Schmidt was 38 years old last Thanksgiving, and was the oldest daughter of Conrad Jergens.

The funeral was held at the house on Thursday of this week. May she rest in peace.