Name/Title
Kay, Eliza was Early Resident of St. Joseph, MO, 1900Entry/Object ID
AM1994.23.5Scope and Content
Kay, Eliza was Early Resident of St. Joseph, MO, 1900. The aged woman came when Indians were camped along the Missouri River. She saw the city grow from a hamlet. Her husband conducted the first big dry goods store here half a century ago.
St. Joseph lost one of its oldest residents last night in the death of Mrs. Eliza Kay, widow of the late James Kay, at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Elliot Spalding 424 North Ninth street.
Mrs. Kay was in her ninetieth year. She had been in failing health for seven months, and her death, which occurred at 9:30 last night, was not unexpected. To the end, the aged woman retained her mental faculties. Mrs. Kay had a remarkable memory. She could relate many interesting events in the early history of the town. When she came, St. Joseph was but a hamlet. There was an Indian camp across the river. Mrs. Kay witnessed the growth of the hamlet into a city, and there was no more interested spectator of its progress than she.
Mrs. Kay was born in Dover, TN March 27, 1820. She was married to James Kay March 2, 1836. They came to St. Joseph in 1852. Mr. Kay conducted the first big dry goods store in St. Joseph. It was the store of Kay, Bailey & Company , and was located in the building now occupied by the Townsend-Wyatt Dry Goods company. Mr. Bailey was a brother of Mrs. Kay. The same firm had a big wholesale house.
Mrs. Kay is survived by four grandchildren, Mrs. Elliot Spalding, who was with her when she died; Harry Kay of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Robert Nicholas.Lexicon
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Early Resident of St. Joseph, MO, Dry Goods Store, Obituary, Kay Family, St. Joseph History, FuneralsRelationships
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Person or Organization
Eliza KayPerson or Organization
James KayPerson or Organization
Harry KayPerson or Organization
Spalding, Elliot MrsPerson or Organization
Mrs. Robert NicholasPerson or Organization
Mr Bailey