Newspaper: 23 Jan 1919 listing of influenza victims, Baker County, Oregon

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EAGLE VALLEY NEWS; Volume 7, No. 10; Richland, Oregon; Thursday, January 23,
1919

THE INFLUENZA SITUATION

The terrible epidemic of influenza which has prevailed in Eagle Valley for the
past three weeks is now subsiding and practically all those afflicted are
convalescing. A few new cases are reported daily but no doubt the worst is
passed. Dr. A.H. Brown of Baker, who had been assisting Dr. Wilson for the
past two weeks, returned to his home this morning.

Never before has our beautiful little Valley underwent such an experience. For
a time the situation appeared most-terrible. Whole families were stricken at
the same time; it was impossible to secure help as there were more than two
hundred cases at one time. Yet out of a total of over three hundred patients
but eight have died.

To the several women and men who, ignoring their own danger of contracting the
disease, so generously and conscientiously went from home to home, cooking,
washing, nursing, splitting wood, carrying water, feeding stock, --in fact,
looking after the needs of the sick in every possible way,--there is to be
extended the greatest commendation. They were in sublimest truth "angels of
mercy" and to their ministrations are due the lives of many of our people. May
a kind providence reward them.

The weakness which results from the disease is beyond the comprehension of
those who have escaped the flu, and as a consequence, the danger of over
exertion is exceedingly great. It is devoutly hoped that every care will be
taken by those convalescing to prevent relapse.

Roy Leep died Jan. 16th and was buried in the Pine Valley cemetery.

Mrs. Carl C. Mason died Monday morning, January, 13th, and was buried the
following Thursday.

Mr. R.S. Allen, an old G.A.R. veteran who had been an invalid for many years,
was attacked by the influenza and passed away Sunday, January 19th. The
remains were laid to rest Monday.

The wife of Charles V. Howell died last Sunday of complications following
influenza. The funeral was held Tuesday under the auspices of the local
Phythian Sisters of which the deceased was a loyal member. Mrs. Howell was one
of the lovable characters we have ever known and was held in deepest respect
and esteem by all with whom she came in contact. A synopsis of her life will
be published in an early issue.

Ye editor and family were all ill with the flu last week, as a consequence we
missed getting out the News. This issue is not up to standard, and many items
are not given because we have not sufficient strength to put same in type, and
no help is obtainable. To those who have had the flu no apology is necessary,
to our other readers we plead for your kind indulgence.

Mrs. Henry Bradford has received word of the death of her brother at Satsop,
Wash. He was aged 82 years, one month and twelve days, and had been helpless
from the effects of rheumatism for several years.

Mr. Burnside, a homesteader in the Sparta district, died on Wednesday.

W. CLARENCE RALEY

William Clarence Raley was born at Union, Oregon, in July 29th 1886, and spent
the greater part of his life in Eagle Valley. He was taken ill with influenza
and in spite of all human aid, did pass away at 9:45 p.m., Sunday, January
12th. His funeral was held the following Thursday under the auspices of Irvine
Lodge No. 86 Knights of Pythias of which he was a Past Chancellor Commander.

On February 3, 1907, he was married at New Bridge to Anna Clara White. For a
number of years he was connected with the Saunders Bro's. store, but in
February, 1916, embarked in business for himself and was making a success of
the venture, a fact due to his honesty and keen business judgment.

Clarence was a young man of many splendid qualities and was deeply respected
by all who knew him. He was a member of the town council of Richland, was
clerk of Union High School No. 2 and took a prominent part and great interest
in everything that pertained to the betterment of our town, our schools, and
the community in general. His death is keenly felt.

He is survived by the widow, Anna, and two children, Georgia Genevieve, age 9,
and Lorenzil Clarence, aged 3 years; also by his mother, Mrs. Sally Saunders;
his stepfather, W.G. Saunders; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ritch and a
host of more distant relatives.

FORMER RESIDENTS DIE

Word reaches us of the death of both Mr. and Mrs. Merrill (Jack) Middleton at
Detroit, Mich. Mr. Middleton, aged 28 years, passed away on Saturday, Dec.
28th and his wife, Maude May Bradford Middleton, aged 23 years, seven months
and four days, passed away on Sunday Dec. 29th. Both were buried in the same
grave. They left one child, an 11-months old babe.

The parties were former residents of Eagle Valley and the news of their death
will be a shock to their many friends. Mrs. Middleton was a daughter of Mrs.
Rosa Bennett, now a resident of Portland.

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Woods, born Nov. 4, 1918, passed away
Tuesday and was buried yesterday.

Earl Herring, one of Sparta's young farmers, died of influenza.

DANIEL V. GOVER

On Thursday the 9th inst., Dan Gover, Walter Saunders, Chester Evans and
Walter Cundiff left for Baker Valley to take care of business of the ???
Raisers Assn. On their arrival at Baker both Messrs. Gover and Saunders were
stricken with influenza followed immediately by pneumonia. They were taken to
the hospital where Mr. Saunders is now on the road to recovery. Dan made a
gallant fight, but his heart was unable to stand the strain and he passed away
on Saturday night, January 19th.

Daniel Valentine Gover was born in Eagle Valley on September 21, 1891, and had
always resided there. On April 1, 1912 he was married at Baker to Miss
Churbery Densely. Two children blessed the union, a son who died in infancy,
and a daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, now five years of age.

"Dan" was without question one of the best liked young men of this section. Of
cheerful disposition, absolute honest and fair in all dealings, a man whose
first thoughts were always for home and loved ones, he commanded the respect
and admiration of all with whom he came in contact.

An expert horseman, an authoritative judge of cattle with a knowledge of the
range in Baker county second to no man, he had been in the employ of the Eagle
Valley Cattle and Horse Raisers' Association for several seasons as a range
rider. As evidence of the confidence held in his judgment by the Association,
he was unanimously elected a member of the advisory board at the recent annual
meeting. He had a nice lot of cattle of his own and his prospects for a useful
prosperous life were most brilliant when death cut short his career.

He was a member of Irvine Lodge No. 86 Knights of Pythias, which organization
conducted the funeral services which were held Tuesday forenoon at the Eagle
Valley cemetery.

Besides the heart-broken widow and little daughter, the deceased is survived
by his mother, Mrs. Rebecca Gover; and three brothers and four sisters,
namely: Walter A, of Pine Valley; David S. of Keating; W. Lovell of Richland;
Mrs. D. W. Allen and Mrs. J. F. McPartland of Richland; Mrs. B.F. Keist of
Sparta; Mrs. J.P. Jones of Portland

George Trickel, who had been stationed in England in the aero service, was
mustered out of service and returned to the Valley last week and was
immediately taken ill with the flu.

Card of Thanks
To the many kind people who so willingly assisted at the burial of our beloved
daughter and sister, Nettie Cross, we express our heartfelt thanks.

Mr. & Mrs. E Sullivan and family

Card of Thanks
We desire to extend to the people of Eagle Valley our heartfelt thanks for the
many kind aid performed during our sad bereavement.

Francis J Gibbon

Maria Hearn and family

Mr. & Mrs. Jos Gibbon