Adams County, Ritzville, WA ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== This is the oldest year in the newspaper files Adams County News, February 9, 1898, issue Death of Mrs. F. G. Spanjer It becomes our sad duty to record the death of Mrs. F. G. Spanjer of this city. Mrs. Spanjer died at her home this morning at 8:45 o'clock. She had been sick about five weeks, and though everything was done for her that the skill of the physician or carefulness of nurses could suggest, the fatal hour could not be deferred longer. Mrs. Spanjer was born June 21st, 1869. She was the daughter of C. F. Clodius of this city. And as Miss Anna Clodius she married Mr. Spanjer October 22nd, 1890. She leaves three small children aged respectively five and three years old and an infant five weeks old. The funeral will take place tomorrow at one o'clock p.m. from the German Congregational church of which deceased was a member. The bereaved families are among the most influential and respectable in the city and the sorrow and grief consequent on the death of their relative is as widespread as their acquaintances. Adams County News, March 2, 1898, issue Death of Mrs. F. W. Swartz Citizens of Ritzville and surrounding country will be pained to learn of the death of Mrs. Swartz, wife of F. W. Swartz, who was for a long time railroad agent at this place, but is now at Sand Point, Idaho. Mrs. Swartz, although not in robust health, was not considered in dangerous condition until last Sunday night about 9 o'clock, when she was suddenly taken ill. She was taken to Spokane for treatment, but only lived about an hour after reaching there. The funeral took place Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock, from the Sacred Heart hospital, the remains being interred in the Centre Catholic church cemetery. The deceased leaves two children, a boy and a girl. Adams County News, March 9, 1898, issue IN MEMORIAM: DIED- March 3, 1898, at Kalispel, Mont., John Allen, member of the Ritzville lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F. Adams County News, March 16, 1898, issue Dead Man Found In My Barn Such were the startling words contained in a telegram received by Prosecuting Attorney Holcomb last Wednesday morning. The dispatch came from James Neilson at Lind, this county. A regular inquest was held by Coroner Neare. Several witnesses were examined, the substance of which was to the effect that the deceased had been seen in Lind on the previous Friday. That he spoke about feeling sick. That he was last seen alive by the coal heavers at the N. P. railway yards on Friday night in the sand house, who advised him to make a train and get to some town where he could get treatment. That the remains were discovered by Dugal Neilson on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, in the haymow of his barn, when the prosecuting attorney was notified. The remains were found to be those of a man about 48 years old; medium complexion; grey or blue eyes; brown moustache; stubly beard; about 5 feet 7 inches tall; weight about 120 pounds. The only effects found on the body were a razor, a strap and brush, tooth brush, some clippings from a newspaper and a scrap of wrapping paper with the word "Laundry" and the the name "W. McFee." It was determined the man might be McFee and he had been dead about three days from natural causes. Adams County News, April 20, 1898, issue Death of E. L. Trantum A cloud of sadness hangs over the city and surrounding country, on account of the death of E. L. Trantum, which occurred Sunday evening, April 17th, at Deaconess Home in Spokane. The deceased was taken from this city to Spokane last Saturday morning to have an operation performed and it was the opinion of the attending physician on Sunday that the patient would soon recover. Dr. Burroughs, who took him to Spokane, was bringing hope to the family, but was very much surprised on reaching home to find the telegram had come saying the patient had died at 5 o'clock. The deceased was born in Columbus, Warren Co., Penn., June 25, 1849, and was at the time of his death, 49 years, 2 months and 8 days of age. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his demise. Mr. Trantum was a good husband, kind father and a good citizen. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. B. L. Huls from the M. E. church in this city at 2 o'clock yesterday, and a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends followed the remains to their last resting place in the city cemetery. Adams County News, May 4, 1898, issue Orpha Barronette DIED - On Sunday, May 1, 1898, at 5 o'clock a.m. in this city, Orpha, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Barronett, aged 3 months and 29 days. The funeral occurred at 3 o'clock p.m. on the day of the death, from the Congregational church, Rev. Geo. M. Newman delivered the funeral discourse to a large congregation or sorrowing and sympathizing friends. Adams County News, June 29, 1898, issue O. J. Rice DIED-On Tuesday evening, June 24, 1898, at the home of John McChesney, O. J. Rice, aged 29 years and 11 days. Mr. Rice was much respected by all in this community, and leaves a wife and son to mourn his loss. He was a faithful member of the Christian church. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. M. Morgan, who delivered a fine discourse. A large number of sorrowing friends followed the body to its last resting place. Adams County News, July 6, 1898, issue Killed by a Freight Train Last Sunday morning at 8:20 o'clock as a special freight pulled out east, and was opposite the flouring mills, a man by the name of Allen Monroe undertook to catch the rods and missing his hold was thrown under the wheels and instantly killed. The deceased was about 30 years of age, medium complexion, dark hair, blue-gray eyes, height about 5 feet, 10 inches, weight about 170 pounds. He was, according to the testimony of Frank Lawrence, who claimed to have known him two years, a native of Scotland and has relatives living at Rat Harbor Portage and Sidney, Cape Britian Island. Deceased had been in Ritzville about six weeks. The body was interred in the county's lot at the hill cemetery Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock. Adams County News, July 27, 1898, issue Jacob Jocks DIED-July 22, 1898, at the residence of Frank McKellip, at Side Hill Spring, Jacob Jocks. Deceased, according to best authority available, was a native of Finland and has no known relatives. He was taken suddenly ill July 8. Medical aid was sent for the following day but owing to the doctor sent for being out of town it was not until Friday the 22nd when Dr. Burroughs reached the patient, who was then in a dying condition and only lived about four hours after the doctor found him. The cause of death was what is commonly called obstruction of the bowels. The body was interred in the Lind cemetery on Saturday. Adams County News, August 10, 1898, issue Koch A little child of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Koch died last Sunday of cholera infantum. Adams County News, August 24, 1898, issue The man killed last week on the tracks east of here proved to be Thos. McMann. He had been here about a year and was addicted to the use of liquor, which was no doubt the cause of death. Adams County News, September 14, 1898, issue Death of Mrs. Noll Mrs. Noll was buried from the home of J. M. Turner Saturday, September 10, at ten o'clock, Rev. G. H. Newman conducting the services. Miss Frances Cordelia Bohanan was born in Stoddard county, Missouri, November 27th, 1832. She was married to Dr. Richard Parks Noll December 29, 1852. Into this home there were eight children born, five of whom are now living. At the time of the civil war she and her husband lost all their property and shortly after this calamity the death of her husband brought a still greater loss to her and her large family of little girls. But with true mother instinct and industry she went bravely to work to provide for the wants of her family and by hard toil raised her children. The day after her death came the sad news of the death of her son-in-law Mr. Cliff Sanders of Brooklyn, New York. Lela Reeder Death, that demand of nature to which we must all, sooner or later succumb again demanded its own on Saturday, September 10th, when the angel knocked at the door of Walter Reeder's home on Rattlesnake Flat and took from the arms of the sorrowing father and mother their beloved and only daughter, Lela, a child 9 years, 11 months and 1 day old. The child had a lingering illness of three weeks which developed into typhoid fever, which was the cause of death. Funeral services were held at the church on the flat on Sunday at 2 o'clock, Elder J. O. Couch conducting the services. The L. O. T. M. of Ritzville contributed flowers to the occasion. A long funeral procession followed the body to its last resting place. Lela was a kind, loving and obedient child and though of tender years had many friends among the old and young alike. Adams County News, October 5, 1898, issue Sad Death Frank Leduc, who has been employed for sometime on the farm of Wm. Gray, 12 miles south of town, was killed by a horse Thursday afternoon. Mr. Leduc and Mr. Gray started from Ritzville about noon of yesterday in a hack and were leading two horses by halters. When near Mr. Gray's place, the latter left the rig and went to his home while Mr. Leduc continued his journey toward Sprague. When about 10 miles from town it seems that he got out of his buggy to change the horses he was leading and in doing so was knocked down and kicked severely about the head. Two men who were passing saw the bloody form in the road and immediately drove to a nearby farm house and notified the farmer of their discovery and all three left for the scene of the affair. Positive proof being seen at the accident, the remains were brought to town and placed in the undertaking parlors of R. R. Jones. The deceased is 38 years of age and his home is in Lidgerwood Park, Spokane, to which place the remains were sent this morning. -Sprague Times Adams County News, October 12, 1898, issue Death of J. A. Thompson It is not often that the death of a citizen touches so many interests and calls forth the sympathy of the whole community as did the death of John Albert Thompson. A few weeks ago he was confined to his house for a few days with a fever which his physician soon had under control, and the anxiety of his friends was relieved by seeing him again out of doors. He recovered sufficiently to take a long ride one beautiful day to the house of a friend in the country. But for some cause he suffered a relapse and in spite of the tender nursing and the faithful medical attendance the disease could not be broken and he quietly passed away on Sunday evening, October ninth. Mr. Thompson was born in Missouri Sept. 8, 1860. When he was a child his parents moved into Iowa and after a residence there of five or six years they returned to Missouri. When 19 years old he went to California where he remained one winter, coming in the spring to Garfield county, Washington. During his residence in this county he married Miss Ella Hender, September 10th, 1882. Eleven years ago he came with his family to Adams county which had since been his home. Into this family seven children were born, four boys and three girls, one of whom, a beautiful girl of eleven died a few years ago. An aged father and mother; three brothers and three sisters, living in Cadwell county, of his native state, share this affliction with the devoted wife and children. He was a member of the Methodist church in Ritzville in whose place of worship the last sad services were conducted by Rev. Geo. H. Newman. He was an honored and valuable member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees and Modern Woodmen of America. The beautiful burial services of the Odd Fellows was fittingly pronounced at the grave. Mr. Thompson was serving the second term as sheriff of the county to the satisfaction of all. He was proprietor and editor of the Adams County News. To this work he brought more than the average ability and tact. He was a man of noble principles and was fearless in expressing them. Eastman son Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Eastman's 9-months-old son died on Monday, October 3, at the home of Mr. Eastman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Eastman. The little one had been ill for over ten days, and last week the parents brought him up from their home in Ritzville in order that he might have the best of care and attention, but their efforts to save their loved one's life were in vain. Funeral services were held on Tuesday and the remains were laid to rest in Fairview cemetery beside another little one the grim reaper claimed from the same family three or four years ago. -Cheney Sentinel Von Holt The youngest child of D. Von Holt died Thursday, October 6, of inflammation of the brain. The child was three months old and during its short stay on earth suffered most of the time from sickness. Funeral services were held in the German Congregational church on Friday, october 7, at 2 o'clock. Adams County News, October 26, 1898, issue Death of Ira Bailey On Wednesday, October 19th, at 11 o'clock p.m., Mr. Ira Bailey died at the home of his brother, Albert, in Ritzville. He had not been feeling well for some time yet was about his work until one week before his death. His severe illness was so short that his death was a sudden blow to his many friends. Mr. Bailey was born in Iowa December 28, 1869. When he was a very young child his parents moved to Dakota where young Bailey lived until three years ago when he came to Adams county to join his brother. During his residence here he made many friends who will greatly miss him. A widowed mother, three sisters and five brothers mourn his death in the family circle. The funeral services were held from the Congregational church Thursday at 2 o'clock, conducted by the pastor. Mr. Bailey was a member of the Knights of Pythias, who attended in a body and performed their burial service at the grave. Adams County News, November 23, 1898, issue DIED-Laura Agnes Esther, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. F. Gillman of this city, last Thursday of scarlet fever. Funeral services were held in the German Lutheran church on Friday afternoon and the little one was laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. Rev. P. Groschuff of Spokane officiated at the ceremonies. She was born Jan. 7, 1897, being the fourth child in the family circle. The little child was noted for her sweet disposition and kind ways and held a warm place in the hearts of all who knew her. Adams County News, December 13, 1898, issue A Sad Affair On last Thursday morning the father and mother of Chris Hiller, a Russian-German farmer living ten miles out on Rattlesnake Flat road, came to their death by inhaling the deadly coal gas while they slept. The small house they lived in contained but the one room, and appearances indicate that when retiring for the night, replenished the fire in the cook stove with coal, closing the draft and leaving the top of the stove open so that the fumes completely filled the room soon rendering the occupants unconscious. When found the old gentleman showed some signs of life and though Dr. Burroughs gave all possible aid the sufferer soon passed away. The son, Chris Hiller, is a hardworking industrious man with a family and last spring sent the money which brought the old folks over from Germany. Johnny Sandbrink Johnny Sandbrink, aged 11 years, son of Fred Sandbrink, died Monday at 2 p.m. of effects of scarlet fever which he had about four weeks ago. He will be buried today at 2 o'clock on the old place three miles north of town. Adams County News, December 21, 1898, issue Montgomery Miss Montgomery, a sister of U. S. Montgomery, died on Rattlesnake Flat on last Saturday and was buried at Bemis cemetery Sunday. The cause of death was consumption.