Eli C. Sharp, son of George and Phoebe Sharp, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, June 14, 1885. He moved with his parents to Exira, Iowa, when 11 months old at the age of 24 years he went to Audubon where he was employed in the general merchandise firm of G.B. Russell.

On September 28, 1881, he was married to Miss Lizzie Cartwright of Audubon. Very soon after marriage they moved to Manning. Two children were born to them, a daughter, Miss Winifred, now grown to womanhood and a son, Clyde C. who died at the age of three weeks, January 3, 1884, and was buried in the Manning Cemetery.

Mr. Sharp opened the first dry goods store here and later ran a boot and shoe store. He was among the first of the enterprising businessmen who laid the foundation for the city of Manning.

In 1890, he moved with his family to Clarinda which place has since been the family home. He has been engaged as salesman in Clarinda business houses until a little over two years ago when he went to Colorado for his health. Since being in Colorado he has made his home with his brother, Milo Sharp, on his fruit ranch; although a part of the time he has been able to engage in business in Grand Junction near which city is located the ranch of his brother. Mr. Sharp was converted and united with the Presbyterian Church of Clarinda in 1893 under the pastorate of Dr. T.C. Smith. While in Colorado he has been a regular attendant of the M.E. Church, of which his brother is a member. He took an active interest in the Sabbath school.

On account of the condition of his lungs be was unable to return to this climate and the family could not well go to him. Many days of homesickness came to him but he lived with the hope that wife and daughter could soon come to him. An all-wise providence has ruled it otherwise.

His death was caused by a complication of diseases and came very suddenly Monday evening, February 23, 1903, at 9 o'clock. He leaves to mourn his death a wife, daughter and two brothers. From the testimony of relatives and friends we believe it can be said of him "blessed is Eli C. Sharp who died in the Lord."

Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian Church of Manning at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 26, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H.S. Condit who spoke from the text found in Revelation 14:13 "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." The choir sang appropriate hymns. The body was laid to rest in the Manning Cemetery.

The Monitor joins their many friends in Manning, in extending sympathy to the sorrowing relatives.

SUDDEN DEATH
Eli C. Sharp Takes An Overdose of Morphine and the Doctor's Efforts Fail to Save Life.
Eli C. Sharp, who has been residing at the boarding house of Mrs. Swaney, died there suddenly last night, February 23, 1903, at about nine o'clock, of an overdose of morphine.

It was reported this morning that he had suicided by the morphine route, but the death certificate bearing the signature of F.R. Smith says that the deceased came to his death from an overdose of morphine, taken by accident.

Dr. Smith was called last night to the Swaney residence, when it was discovered that Sharp was suffering from the effect of the morphine. This was about nine o'clock and Dr. Smith arrived there before the man expired. Dr. Smith says that from his examination the man did not take the morphine with suicidal attempt, but that in taking the drug to ease pain, he took an overdose by accident, death resulting.

Yesterday the deceased purchased at the Arthur Drug Store, one dozen quarter grain capsules of morphine. Last night there was still found in the box, in which the morphine was contained, three capsules. Thus he did not take to exceed 2 1/4 grains, so far as what was purchased yesterday was concerned, if he had not some on hand at time of the above purchase.

As Dr. Smith arrived there was on the scene at the time of the man's death, he is doubtless the most competent authority upon the causes that led up to the death of the man.

Sharp was a married man, his wife residing at Manning, Iowa. For some little time, the deceased was employed in the Bliss Store as a clerk, but lately he has been doing nothing of any consequence. There are some who know the man who say that he was suffering greatly from melancholia and that he had been despondent for some time.

Little is known of him in regards to his habits, as he was a man of somewhat retired disposition.

Communication was had at once this morning with his wife in Iowa, with other relatives also and Undertaker Gourley who has charge of the case, was instructed to ship the body to Manning, Iowa, his former home. It is said that Sharp was insured in some fraternal insurance company. The deceased was forty-seven years of age.
The Daily Sentinel Grand Junction, Colorado February 24, 1903