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 13, 1903 issue Anna Kramer Anna Kramer, a German girl of fourteen years of age, residing out north on the Lincoln county line, met with a tragic ending Saturday afternoon by the accidental discharge of the treacherous shotgun in the hands of Mike Kramer, a brother two years her senior. Death was instantaneous and the family is prostrated over the distressing occurrence. A strange coincidence in connection with the affair was that Mike dreamed the night before that he was out hunting and shot what he supposed was some kind of a wild animal but upon reaching it found it to be his sister who was killed the following day. Mrs. Frank York Mrs. Frank York was buried Sunday in Sprague cemetery. Death came from obscure causes after a few days illness. The deceased was married to Frank York, of Willis, in the east about a month ago, and her demise comes as a sudden shock. Adams County News, January 20, 1903, issue Lottie Peterson Mrs. F. B. Donoghue received a message from San francisco Monday announcing the death of her sister, Lottie Peterson in that city on Sunday night. No particulars as to the cause of demise were given in the telegram and the sad news came as a shock to Mrs. Donoghue as the dead sister was supposed to be in good health. Death's Harvest Ima Willis Hoffman was born in Union county, Iowa, Nov. 14, 1872, and was married to Charles Hoffman, January 19, 1896, and was united with the church ten years ago. She has been suffering with consumption since last July and succumbing to the fatal disease last Wednesday, Jan. 14. A daughter of six summers and husband survive her. The deceased was a sister of our neighbor and well known citizen, J. A. Willis, and some other relatives, late arrivals, we are informed are also here. Mrs. Hoffman came from the east two weeks ago in hopes that a change of climate would benefit her declining health, but all to no purpose and the end soon came. The funeral services were ably conducted at the Willis home, ten miles out, but Rev. T. H. Fertig, pastor of the Methodist church this city, the interment occurring at Spanjer cemetery on Thursday. Mrs. Mary E. Elder The sad intelligence of the death of Mrs. Mary E. Elder which occurred at the home in the south part of the county on Monday evening, Jany. 19, 1903, at 8 p.m. of Bright's disease of the kidneys, was received with deep regret by her many friends in this city. Mrs. Elder was born at Griggsville, Indiana, Jany. 10, 1856, and was married to Albert S. Elder at that place June 30, 1874, and came with her husband to Adams county twenty years ago and settled on the pretty farm where she resided until her death. She was a noble woman, esteemed and admired by all who knew her. The remains were brought in yesterday morning by Delos May and Chas. Evans and placed in the Haight undertaking rooms for embalming and Mr. Elder left on the morning train for the old home in Indiana where all that is mortal of his beloved wife will be laid at final rest. The Masons and ladies of the Eastern Star of which Mr. and Mrs. Elder were members accompanied the funeral party to the depot on the departure of the beautiful casket and bereaved husband on the long sad journey. Adams County News, January 28, 1903, issue (Funeral notice of H. A. Mueller is mostly missing due to crumbling edges of paper.) In part it reads that ---illman, pastor of the German --- church refused to officiate at funeral services of the late H. A. --- or allow the casket containing the corpse to be taken in the building. Mrs. Mueller and all -- family are members of that --- and contributors to its ---- the hour of dire extremity --- grief were coldly denied --- the source where it ----- expected. The action of the Methodist people in throwing open the doors of that denomination and the beautiful sermon delivered by Rev. T. H. Fertig has elicited most favorable comment from every source. Rev. Elwood P. Lyon the Baptist minister in true Christian spirit gave timely aid. Such acts as the latter will do more to reform the world than all the tight laced ideas and hypocritical practices in Christendom. By the Pistol Route Harry A. Mueller on Sunday morning commits suicide The community was thrown into a state of excitement Sunday morning upon the discovery of the lifeless form of Harry A. Mueller at his residence, one of the cottages of the Ritzville Flouring Mills and formerly the home of Benj. Roth, situation only a few steps north of the flouring mill. Mr. Mueller was the senior member of the firm of Mueller & Palmeter, proprietors of the liquor establishment and bowling alley, opposite the depot known as "Harry's Place." The deceased had been having much difficulty of late with his eyesight which had been failing and for the past couple of weeks had been in Spokane for treatment where the oculist gave him little hope and indicated that it would be only a matter of time until he would become totally blind. Saturday he stated that he had not slept for four nights and was seeking an opiate for relief. Saturday night himself, wife and baby of one year occupied a bed lounge just off the parlor, and between 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning Mrs. Mueller was partially awakened by her husband kissing her saying it was too crowded there and he would go upstairs and retire. The report of the death dealing shot never reached the ear of the wife and at eight o'clock she was horrified to find him in the upper room in a kneeling position by the bedside, his face and arms pillowed in the white coverlet, a great pool of blood, and the deadly revolver tightly gripped in the right hand. The deceased came here about two years ago and for a time was employed as bar tender in the Porak saloon and prior to engaging in the business a year ago was clerk in Ott's hotel. He was born in Germany and was thirty-two years of age. He was of melancholy nature, gentlemanly in deportment and was generally well liked. He was married to Miss Hulda Wellsandt, his present wife, soon after coming to this city, Mrs. Ed. A. Palmeter being her elder sister. The body was removed to the Haight undertaking rooms where it remained until yesterday when the funeral occurred at 2 p.m. at the M. E. church conducted by Rev. T. H. Fertig followed by burial in Ritzville cemetery. John Beard Allen John Beard Allen formerly United State Senator from this state died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Walla Walla today of Angina Pectoris. He had spent the day in his office as usual in the general routine of work and was supposed to be in perfect health. He was born at Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, Indiana, May 15, 1845. He was one of the most prominent and best loved men in the State of Washington, a distinction he has enjoyed for a quarter of a century. Adams County News, February 4, 1903, issue R. T. Wilson R. T. Wilson died of smallpox Monday at his residence on College hill. He leaves a wife and several children. Adams County News, February 11, 1903, issue Mrs. D. D. Lucy Mrs. D. D. Lucy died at her home near Cunningham Saturday of pneumonia. The funeral occurred Monday, Elder W. R. Cunningham officiating. Adams County News, February 25, 1903, issue Thomas Woodjetts Thomas Woodjetts, an Englishman 46 years of age, died in the Hollenshead Lodging Home during last night. Death is supposed to have ensued from heart failure. Deceased was a hard drinker and of late has been under the influence of liquor nearly all the time, King Alcohol probably having a hand in his demise. He was unmarried and had lived in Ritzville two years. Woodjetts was an accomplished musician and member of the local brass band. Woodjetts' "hobby" was his claim that he always spoke the truth which is said to be a fact as far as known. Adams County News, March 4, 1903, issue Mrs. John Amen The wife of John Amen died very suddenly last Wednesday evening, feb. 25, of heart trouble, at the farm home 15 miles west of town. The funeral was held at the Rosenoff Church Thursday. The deceased leaves a surviving husband and three young children, one a baby two weeks old. Johnson infant Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Johnson of Downs, lost their baby child last week of Diptheria. Burial took place in Spanjer cemetery Sunday, Several deaths have occurred lately from this contagion. Adams County News, March 11, 1903, issue Edward Caldwell Edward Caldwell of the lower part of the county died at Walla Walla March 4, from an operation performed for chronic cystitis. Deceased was an old and respected citizen of Adams county, a bachelor 71 years of age. He came here fifteen years ago from Ohio, was a veteran of the civil war and had experienced hardships on the frontier and taken a hand in warfare with Indians throughout the Northwest in early days. The remains were interred at Washtucna under the auspices of the woodmen and Odd Fellows of which order deceased was a member. Adams County News, March 18, 1903, issue Alex Strachan Alex Strachan, better known as "Scotty," died this morning in Spokane of pneumonia. Deceased had resided here for ten years or more. Adams County News, March 25, 1903, issue Martin Swanson Martin Swanson, a Swede about fifty years of age, died Sunday morning at the Hollenshead house of acute pneumonia. He was a bachelor and leaves several thousand dollars worth of farm land near Paha. Burial occurred yesterday in Ritzville cemetery the last sad rites being performed by Rev. T. H. Fertig. Mrs. James M. Adams Mrs. James M. Adams, wife of the auctioneer, passed away Monday evening at the residence on Third street, a victim of consumption. The estimable lady had been very low for several months and the end was not unlooked for. A sorrowing husband and six stalwart sons are left to mourn the loss of "mother." All that the science of physicians could give was procured for the relief of her who is the leading figure and binding spirit of home. The body was lovingly laid under the turf on the little hillside in Spanjer Cemeter with impressive ceremonies amid a large gathering. John M. Merriman John M. Merriman of Lind died at that place last Wednesday at the ripe old age of 84 years. Deceased was an Ohioan and born in Wayne county, Mar. 14, 1819. His wife Harriet Gladdis to whom he was married 56 years ago survives him. They were the parents of ten children: R. G., J. J., T. W., & H. E. Merriman, of Lind; A. W. Merriman, of Blufton, Ind., Mrs. E. S. Doyle of Port Angles, Wash., and Mary Etta, Doreas and Quinby Merriman, deceased. Mr. Merriman had lived in this county since 1887. Rev. Alexander Rhine of this city officiated in the funeral services.