Mrs. Hazel (Hurtt) Harmes, who was born in Sycamore and grew to womanhood and
was married there died at her home on North 10th St. Dekalb on Thursday evening of
complications following the Spanish Influenza.

Hazel Hurtt was married to Edwin H. Harmes, son of Ira of Sycamore. They were
residents of Dekalb only a short time.

She leaves surviving her husband, and four children, the eldest only 12 years old.
She also leaves surviving her mother and several brothers and sisters; one brother
being with the Army in France.

She was a good wife and mother. The internment was in Ohio Grove Cemetery on
Friday at 2 O’clock with funeral services at the grave site.

The Sycamore Woman’s club, Mrs. James Devine president, is noted for it’s deeds of
mercy and good judgement, and after several weeks of investigation and deliberation ,
another deed of the kind has been added to the list.

Last fall, Mrs. Edwin Harms, whose maiden name was Hazel Hurtt, died of influenza,
leaving her husband and three little daughters, who were given a home first with one
family of relatives and then another, but none of their relatives were able to support
and care for the children as they deserved. At last the Sycamore Woman’s club was
appealed to. A thorough investigation made by the club to find these girls a good home
and provide for them a good education resulted in their being placed last Thursday in
accord with the desire and with the consent of their relatives under the authority of the
county court, in the Woodstock Industrial Orphanage.

Twelve dollars will be paid monthly for the support and education of each child, of
which amount the father will pay $24 and the county the balance each month. Under
this order, the children are not subject to adoption, as the father did not wish them
separated as long as he could assist in their support.

It was pathetic to see these pretty girls – Gladys, aged eleven, Mary, aged nine, and
Lily, six, without the love of a mother and the protection of a home, but it is believed
they will receive at Woodstock much that they could not otherwise have received,
and will there shape the foundation of useful and happy lives.

There are now 46 children at the Woodstock Orphanage, which has been successfully
conducted for many years by the Free Methodist church. The girls will receive their
education in the Woodstock public schools. The Sycamore Woman’s club will take
upon themselves to keep track of these Sycamore girls and assist them.

The members of the club who accompanied the girls to their new home on Thursday
were Mrs. James Devine, Mrs. William Simpson, Mrs. T.J. Hoover and Mrs. Ruth Coleman.