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 ==================================================================== Adams County News, January 4, 1899, issue Death Of W. B. Parr W. B. Parr died at his home on Crab creek, Friday, December 23, 1898, at 1 p.m. Mr. Parr had not been sick very long and but very few knew of his illness. A hunter from the creek told Mr. Dorman that there was a man dying on the creek with no one to look after him. Mr. Dorman and Mr. Griffith immediately proceeded to the Parr home and found the story correct. Several of the neighbors were informed and no time was lost in doing everything possible for the dying man but to no avail. On investigation it was discovered that the family was in destitute circumstances. A relief petition was soon in circulation and $33.25 besides many articles of clothing and food were soon collected. The burial expenses will be presented to the county commissioners of Lincoln county for payment. The remains were laid to rest in the Griffith cemetery on Saturday, Rev. J. O. Couch officiating. Mr. Parr a few years ago was in good circumstances and he lived where Mr. Lemman now resides. About five years ago he contracted the dropsy and since then has been unable to do any work whatever. At times his hands and face would swell up badly and if anyone inquired after his health he would say he felt well and had a good appetite. The last five weeks he has been unable to leave his bed and no one knew of his illness until the day before he died. Adams County News, January 11, 1899, issue A.J.MACLEOD DEAD-Information just reaches us that Alexander J. Macleod, brother of Mrs. D. A. McLauren of this city, died on Friday, January 6th, 1899, at Seattle, Wash. It is with a feeling of deep regret that we chronicle the sad intelligence. The writer knew him intimately and well and will ever remember the hearty welcome in his hand grasp which made us feel at home when first introduced to him fifteen years ago, at which time he was acting as deputy under county auditor, W. J. Ferguson, and therefore will be remembered by all old citiznes. Brave, yet gentle, tender yet true, loyal honest and kind, he gave up his young life after a brief struggle with typhoid pneumonia. For many years he has been employed as purser on the sound steamers and chief clerk for the Arlington Dock Company and last summer was by the latter sent to Dyea, Alaska, to look after their interests and it was while there that he contracted a cold from which he never recovered. He leaves a young wife to mourn his loss. He was a brother to the late N. B. Macleod, formerly a business man of Ritzville. The deceased was a member in good standing in the Masonic fraternity of Seattle which organization doubtless conducted the ceremonies. Adams County News, January 18, 1899, issue missing Adams County News, January 25, 1899, issue Mrs. Christina Vehrs Mrs. Christina Vehrs, wife of Peter Vehrs and mother of J. G. Vehrs and Mrs. J. Danekas, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1899, at 9 a.m. at her home three miles west of town at the age of 65 years. The funeral services will be held at the family residence tomorrow at 1 p.m. and aferwards at the German Congregational church, followed by laying the remains to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to the family and relatives in their severe loss. A good old Christian lady has been called home. LOW Mr. and Mrs. Chas. H. Low lost their four months old baby last Wednesday. The little one had been sick for only a couple of days. Death of Chas. Sheppard Chas. Sheppard, a young man twenty-two years of age died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sheppard of Griffith Corners, on Sunday, January 22, 1899, of pneumonia. He had only been confined to his room for a few days but suffering a relapse the end soon came. The family are well respected citizens of Adams county and the sympathy of all is extended to them in their sad bereavement. The interment occurred at the Griffith cemetery on Monday at one p.m. A large concourse of friends followed the remains to its last resting place. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Everett. Adams County News, February 15, 1899, issue Mrs. Elien McKellip Mrs. Elien McKellip died at her home in Ritzville Friday morning, February 10. She had been a patient sufferer for many years but was confined to her bed only ten days before her death. The early life was spent in the south principally in the cities of St. Louis, Mo., and Cinncinati, Ohio. Her maiden name was Gill and she was married in May, 1861, at Carthage, Ill., to George McKellip, one of the pioneers of that state, where they resided until 1889 when they came to Adams county, Wash., where she lived with her husband on a farm fifteen miles from Ritzville until Mr. McKellip's death three years ago, when she came to Ritzville to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Louis Wallon with whom she lived and was tenderly cared for until the time of her death. Though she was not a member of any church she has always believed in the teachings of Christ and lived a conscientious, upright life and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all her acquaintances. She leaves to mourn her loss a loving sister, two brothers, G. W. Gill of Pueblo, Colorado, and William Gill of Longmont, Colorado, and of a true and affectionate mother, six children, five daughters and one son respectively, Mrs. Wm. Griffith of Ferris, Ill., Mr. Frank McKellip, Miss Georgia McKellip, Mrs. Emma Owens and Mrs. Louis Wallon, all of Adams county, Wash., besides a large circle of friends and acquaintances who will remember her as one whose kind heart and ready sympathy made her a trusted friend and counsellor. Adams County News, February 22, 1899, issue Thiel The five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Thiel died January 30, 1899, while they were on a visit to Germany. Mrs. Thiel is also ill, but if able to travel will return home in two weeks. Goodenough Delight News: The little daughter of Mr. Goodenough died last Saturday night at 8 o'clock at the age of two years four months four days. The remains were followed by a large procession to its last resting place, Rev. Childs conducting the services. Adams County News, March 1, 1899, issue C. Krehbiel PASSED AWAY: Sunday, February 19th, near Lind, C. Krehbiel, died from an attack of lagrippe. Deceased was a few weeks past 66 years of age. He was buried at the home place by the side of his wife, who died five years ago. The funeral obsequies were conducted by Rev. Gillman. Adams County News, March 15, 1899, issue W. Wall W. Wall, of Sacramento, Cal., died at the home of W. C. Griffith Feb. 11 of pneumonia. He was a brother of Mrs. W. C. Griffith. He was a single man, forty-six years old last November, a member of the Christian church and a member of the Knights of Pythias. About fifteen members from here attended and performed the beautiful burial service of the order. Adams County News, March 22, 1899, issue John Link John Link, a bachelor living on his ranch ten miles west of town, died Wednesday of pneumonia at the residence of John L. Burfiend. Mr. Link was sick only a few days. A telegram from his brother, Philip Link, at Dubuque, Iowa, inquiring if any will had been filed has been received at the clerk's office but it is quite probable that no such instrument was ever made by the deceased. The property contains 160 acres of land, ten head of horses and farming utensils. Adams County News, March 29, 1899, issue John L. Burfiend John L. Burfiend, who has been suffering with consumption for some time, died Monday at his home ten miles west of town. He was an old resident of Adams county. Adams County News, April 19, 1899, issue Gillett Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Gillett lost their little four months old baby girl April 3rd, the death being caused by whooping cough. Gerhart Luiten Gerhart Luiten, a German farmer living near Lamona station in Lincoln county, died at his home on Sunday, April 9, 1899, aged 48 years of lung fever. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss. Tragic Death Fred O. Lemman, formerly a well known resident of this city, was instantly killed last Thursday morning, April 13, 1899, in a railroad wreck one mile west of Vollmer station in Latah county, Idaho. Mr. Lemman was an old and trusted fireman on the N. P. Railway and on the fatal day was on the engine on a fast and loaded freight which was endeavoring to reach Vollmer to side track for a passenger, due in fifteen minutes, and it was running at a high rate of speed, on rounding a curve the foundation of the track slid away, having been loosened by the rains and melting snow and without a moment's warning, poor Fred and the engineer were hurled into the great beyond. The locomotive and several cars rolled to the bottom of the canyon one hundred feet below. The accident occurred on Little Bear creek in a rough and mountainous district, and the awful plunge must have presented a wild scene to which the tall tamarack and silent pines were the only witnesses. Fred O. Lemman was the eldest son of Chas. and Caroline M. Lemman of this city and at the time of his death was in his thirty-second year. Ten years ago he married Miss Minnie Pierce, daughter of Harry Pierce, of Paha, whom he leaves with two small children living in Spokane, where funeral services were held at the residence on Saturday at 5 a.m. and at 10 a.m. the remains arrived in Ritzville and were borne to the Congregational church where a sermon was preached by Rev. Geo. H. Newman. The local Knights of Pythias lodge, Prairie Queen No. 36, took charge of the casket containing the remains of their dead brother and conducted the beautiful and impressive burial service of the order at the grave in Ritzville cemetery. Adams County News, May 17, 1899, issue Charles H. Thompson DIED-At Polo, Missouri, Thursday, April 27, 1899, Charles H. Thompson, aged twenty-six, of pneumonia. The deceased was a younger brother of the late Sheriff J. A. Thompson, of this city. He was an earnest Christian, had lived in Polo all his life, was ill but ten days and judging from the splendid obituary in the Polo Post will be sadly missed by that community. He leaves a sorrowing young wife and relatives and many friends to mourn his untimely loss. Death Of Benj. Martin By the death of Benjamin Martin, who passed away at the home of wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Greene, corner Tenth and Adams street, Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday morning, May 16, 1899, Adams county loses one of its best known, oldest and highly respected citizens. Mr. Martin had been a sufferer from locomotor ataxia for a year or more, other complications accompanying causing some paralysis, which disease was the immediate cause of his death. The news was unexpected and the announcement of his death came with overwhelmingly force to the relatives and friends here. The funeral occurs Friday at 2 o'clock from the residence corner Tenth and Adams streets in Spokane. Benjamin Martin was born in the state of Michigan in 1868 and at the time of his death was thirty-one years of age. Mr. Martin has continually occupied the trusted position as cashier of the Adams County Bank since it was established in Ritzville in 1891 and is one of the owners of that institution. His parents have both died since his residence here and lie buried near the old home at Hartington, Neb., where one surviving sister resides. On Sept. 1st, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie E. Greene of this city and to them were born three children, two daughters and a son. Mr. Martin was a Christian and lived a consistent life as such and was a member of the Congregational church of the city. He was also a member of high standing in the Masonic, Odd Fellows, K of P and K. O. T. M. lodges of Ritzville. Adams County News, May 31, 1899, issue Mangled Beneath A Train Monday morning as the passenger was approaching Ritville the engineer observed in the gray dawn someone lying by the track making feeble signals to the train. The lever was reversed and the train stopped, while conductor Shannon went back to investigate. Lying beside the track he found the mangled form of a youth of about 16 years, with one leg and arm completely severed from the body. The boy was tenderly placed on the train and brought to this place and taken to the Pacific hotel where kind hearts and hands made the last hours of his life as comfortable as possible. Alfred Barton was the boy's name and his parents live near Winlock on Cowlitz Prairie. He had been attending school in Ellensburg. He says that he rode on the baggage from that place to Lind, where he got off and entered a box car, giving a brakeman 50 cents for the privilege of riding to Spokane where his brother Grant resides and with whom he expected to live. He had been in the car but a few minutes when another brakeman appeared and ordered him to get out on a coal car, which he did, and from which he slipped beneath the wheels. A heavy rain was falling and as the accident occurred about 1 o'clock the unfortunate boy laid there for a least four hours drenched in rain. He was fully conscious to a few moments before he died and talked to his attendants and smiled at times, exhibiting a nerve that was wonderful. He died at 3:30 Monday and the body was taken home to his parents near Winlock, Tuesday morning by his brother Grant Barton of Spokane. Adams County News, June 7, 1899, issue John Bunger, Sr. John Bunger, Sr., died last night at his home, five miles west of town, from cancer of the stomach. Funeral services Thursday, June 8, at 10 a.m. at residence. Burial 1 p.m. at Ritzville cemetery. Adams County News, June 14, 1899, issue Ruby Marie Achziger Ruby Marie, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Achziger, was buried in Ritzville cemetery last Wednesday, June 7, 1899. Adams County News, June 28, 1899, issue Amerigo Hedrick A telegram from Lind last evening conveys the sad intelligence of the death of Mr. Amerigo Vesppucci Hedrick at his home near Scott yesterday of consumption. He leaves a wife, four children and a number of relatives living near Hatton to mourn his loss. Mr. Hedrick was a member of the Christian church and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Funeral services and interment are today at 2 p.m. at Scott. Adams County News, August 30, 1899, issue Life's Journey Over At the age of four score Mrs. Katrina Oestreich answers the final roll call. On Tuesday, August 29, 1899, at 1:15 p.m. the spirit of Mrs. Katrina Oestreich winged its way to the other world and all that was mortal of this good old lady was tenderly laid to rest this afternoon in Ritzville cemetery on the hill just west of the city. She passed away at the home of her son-in-law, County Commissioner Geo. H. Kanzler, four miles west. She had lived out more than the alloted span of life. January 18, 1900, she would have been eighty years of age. Her husband died three years ago on the second of the present month. She leaves to mourn her loss seven children, Mrs. Geo. H. Kanzler, Henry Oestreich, Mrs. Rev. H. Michel and Mrs. Frank Koch of this county, Mrs. Peter Smith of Walla Walla and Chris and Jacob Oestreich of Klickitat county, who were notified by wire yesterday. Funeral services were held at the German Congregational church, the Rev. G. Scheuerle officiating. Adams County News, September 6, 1899, issue W. E. Williams The sad intelligence reaches us that Mr. W. E. Williams, who was well known here, passed away at his home near Athol, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 2nd, after a lingering illness. Liver and kidney trouble was the ultimate cause of his death. The deceased was a member of Prairie Queen Lodge No. 36, K of P of this city. We are informed that the burial took place Tuesday at Rathdrum. Adams County News, September 13, 1899, issue Glassock Thursday afternoon the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Glassock, was drowned in Crab creek. The sad accident occurred on the Wm. Bigham ranch where the family has been residing for some time. The little one had wandered away from the house and nothing was known of his whereabouts until the body was recovered from the small stream. Louis Holleman Louis Holleman, a farmer living west of the city, died Sept. 2, 1899, aged 63 years, being born in Germany July 9, 1836, and having been a resident of Adams county for the past eight years. Adams County News, September 27, 1899, issue Giles Wilbur Giles D. Wilbur, an aged farmer living 18 miles west of town, who has been in failing health the past year, died at his home last Friday. Arthur The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. C. Arthur died last Wednesday and was buried in Ritzville cemetery Thursday. Adams County News, October 12, 1899, issue Death of William Sinclair William Sinclair, a brother of Geo. Sinclair, Mrs. J. G. Bennett and Wm. McKay, Jr., of this place, died at his home in Canton, South Dakota, Sept. 23, in his 69th year. This is the first death in a family of six children, Mr. Sinclair being the oldest and Mr. McKay, Jr., the youngest. The deceased was born in Caithness Shire, Scotland, and came to this country when young. He visited Ritzville twice, the last time remaining here a few months. For over thirty years in Washington, D. C., he held a position of trust in the office of the comptroller of the currency in which he gained the reputation of an expert. Later he was appointed by Secretary Windom, deputy custodian of dies, rolls and plates in the bureau of engraving and printing, which position he held for four years. Recently he retired to Cantonl, S. D., a town he helped found, and where he held property. Three daughters, Mrs. Margie Hervitt and Misses Evelyn and Edith Sinclair, besides a large circle of relatives and friends are left to mourn his death. Adams County News, October 19, 1899, issue Killed Himself About twelve o'clock last night word reached here that a rancher named Sopniff living on the Adams county line near Odessa, had committed suicide. The only meager particulars learned were that he was a bachelor living entirely alone and had been a resident of the county about a year, having at one time worked as a farm hand for Mr. Joseph Jones of this city. Adams County News, November 1, 1899, issue Bessie Bennett-Greene Bessie Bennett-Greene was born at Canton, Dakota, December 27, 1873, coming to where Ritzville now stands in February 1880. Van V. Bennett, her elder brother, resides on his farm just north of and near this city. Clinton, the youngest son, lives at home with the parents. Those three were the only children of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Bennett, who reside at the old home, Woodland Heights, one mile northeast of this city. Bessie received her primary education here which was finely finished abroad. Here she passed her well spent life and grew to womanhood. Miss Bessie united with the Congregational church in Ritzville, under the pastorate of Rev. E. J. Singer, and ever since has maintained a standing in the church, consistent with her profession. She was one of the most regular and faithful workers of the Sunday school and church, having been organist for a number of years. She had an ardent love for church duties, and exerted an untold influence in the church, in society and over all with whom she came in contact. She married her now bereaved and most worthy husband, Orr H. Greene, Oct. 5, 1892, and to them was born Sept. 10, 1893, Lucile, a daughter, now six years of age. All through her long illness she bore her suffering with wonderful fortitude and cheerfulness. For nearly four years her health had been declining with nervous exhaustion and other complications. All that money, loving hands and the best skilled physicians could do could not keep her longer and on Saturday evening, October 28, 1899, at 8 p.m. in the city of San Francisco she passed away in the presence of her husband who had taken her there for medical treatment. Her sorrowing mother was summoned on Friday before the crisis came and accompanied by Dr. J. M. Adams, the family physician, started immediately but at Portland received the message conveying news of her death. Then came the long sad journey of the husband, returning with the remains, which arrived over the Northern Pacific at 5:05 this morning. A number of friends went to Pasco on the midnight passenger and accompanied them home. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. D. Jones of Medical Lake, former Congregational pastor at this point, and Rev. G. H. Newman. The business men all, or nearly all, closed their places of business during the funeral services. The burial will occur tomorrow at Greenwood cemetery Spokane. Adams County News, November 8, 1899, issue Mrs. J. J. Merriman Mrs. J. J. Merriman of Lind died at her home Monday morning of consumption, aged 45 years. She has been confined to her bed most of the time for the past six or seven months. Funeral today at 10:30 a.m. Adams County News, November 15, 1899, issue Harry Haywood Harry Haywood, a young man 26 years of age, died Sunday at 4 p.m. in this city at the residence of Mr. Colwell. He was a stranger in the county, and about a week ago was ejected from a freight train near Scott and laid out all night, contracting a severe cold, which brought on pneumonia, resulting in death. He was buried Monday in the potter's field by the authorities. The address of his mother is said to be No. 2171, Beacon street, Boston. Adams County News, November 22, 1899, issue Mrs. Isaac Rigg Mrs. Isaac Rigg of Fletcher, died Saturday night, November 18, 1899, at her home on Rattlesnake Flat of Bright's Disease. Adams County News, December 13, 1899, issue Mrs. John C. Allen Mrs. John C. Allen of Clever, departed from this life, December 6, 1899, at 2:40 a.m. of pneumonia. Her remains were interred at the Bemis cemetery December 8, 1899. A large funeral procession left the home shortly after 10 a.m. and the services were conducted by the writer at the Clever school house. Eliza Jane Ingles was born in Carrol Co., Ind., October 20, 1859, and was married to John C. Allen, March 30, 1880. The husband and wife together joined the United Presbyterian church in Monroe Co., Iowa, in 1886. To them were born six children all of which survive to mourn the departure of their beloved mother. Adams County News, December 27, 1899, issue DIED: Thomas Young, at Lind, Adams county, Wash., Friday, Dec. 22, 1899, aged 82 years. Thomas young was born in the state of Vermont, June 20, 1817. He came to Michigan in an early day with his parents. Thirteen years of his younger days were spent in surveying in the northern peninsula of Michigan. He was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah Perry of Orion, Mich. The family circle was broken in 1874 by the death of the wife and mother. Three children survive him; one son in Kingston, Mich., and a son and a daughter in Washington, Louis Young and Mrs. Alex Peaslee of Lind. He became a member of Orion Masonic lodge in Michigan in 1844, being a charter member. In the year 1875 he became an honorary member and so remained until his death. The interment occurred at Lind Sunday, Dec. 24, 1899, Rev. Teller preaching the funeral services.