Burbank Aug 28 1904
DIED – In Smithville Aug 22 1904 Mr Isaac Gandy aged 69 years, 3 months, 28 days.
A gloom was cast over our whole community when the sad news came last Monday August 22nd of the sad death of an old and greatly esteemed resident of our valley – Isaac Gandy – who died very suddenly at his home in Smithville. For a few days previously he had been quite unwell but nothing serious was apprehended, and the evening before he seemed quite his usual self, so when the summons came and took him away so suddenly it was a great shock to his near ones and dear ones.
Isaac Gandy was born in Lancastershire, England May 29 1835 and came to the United States when a small boy of 8 years. In ’49 he followed the band of gold seekers to California and was soon engaged in mining and later in stock raising. Later he went to Carson Valley, where on August 2 1859 he married Miss Hattie Parsons. There he farmed and raised fine stock. From there, in 1870, he moved with his family to Salt Lake City, where he had a fine livery stable and ran a stage line between that city and Bingham when that camp was new. Later he moved to Millard County where he and his family have lived for 25 years. He loved to beautify his home, and more than one place in this valley testifies to the work of his hands.
He leaves a sorrowing wife and three daughters, Mrs. Mollie Heckethorn, Mrs. Emma Robison and Mrs. Stella Lake, to mourn their irreparable loss, besides 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who all loved him. Mr. and Mrs. Gandy lost a beautiful daughter of 11 years – Maude – in Fillmore in 1884.
He was always jovial, kind-hearted and pleasant, ever-ready by word and deed to help a friend or neighbour. Long will he be missed by his many friends.
The funeral services were held in the school house, and were conducted ably and impressively by Geo. T. Smith, who paid a high tribute to the memory of his friend. Several hymns were sung. The procession was formed under the guidance of E. W. Clay, and proceeded to the little cemetery at Garrison, where after brief exercises he was laid to rest. May he rest in peace.
M. L. C.


White Pine News, White Pine County, Nevada, Thursday September 1, 1904

Burials were unceremonious affairs in the West in the early 20th century. This is how Elias McClellan Smith (the local undertaker) describes the preparations for Isaac's funeral in his diary:

22nd August 1904
Built coffin for Isaac Gandy

Read more from Elias McClellan Smith's diary here.