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, July 1, 1903, issue Labes children Mr. and Mrs. Charles Labes of Lind, lost two children, aged 11 and 13 years, Tuesday with diphtheria. Adams County News, July 8, 1903, issue Charles Hair S. M. Hair received a dispatch last evening from Mrs. Hair at the home in Wenatchee, stating that their 19-year-old son Charles had been drowned that day. No Particulars were given. Mr. Hair left on the first train for the scene of the sad accident. Adams County News, July 15, 1903, issue A Sad Drowning WENATCHEE ADVANCE - Charles W. Hair and Fred Payne lost their lives in the treacherous waters of the Columbia River at 4 o'clock last Monday afternoon. The young men were in the employ of the C. & O. company. Hair being assistant blacksmith and Payne a carpenter. They were at work on the new steamer, Alex. Griggs, and in stepping from the steamer to the wharf boat Payne fell into the river and was swiftly carried down stream by the current. Young Hair, seeing Payne struggling in the current jumped into the river after him in a heroic attempt to save the life of his friend, and was carried under. L. O. Hair and Johnny Barrett also leaped into the stream and tried to save Hair, but were unable to get to him in the icy current. Payne struggled on the surface for a few moments, but Hair did not reappear after sinking. The river was dragged for the bodies, and that of Hair recovered. Although every effort was made by the physicians to resuscitate him, they were without avail, the body having been in the water for half an hour. The body of young Payne was not recovered. Hair's body was taken to the undertaker's parlor, and the news of his death broken to the mother. The father was at Ritzville, to which point he had just returned, after taking some cars of horses east, and the brother of deceased was at Chelan. They were notified by wire and arrived here the following day. The sad death of the young man was a severe shock to the family and especially to the mother, who is in poor health. The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from the Presbyterian church, Rev. W. J. Bone conducting the services and the remains were laid in the grave at the local cemetery. Charles William Hair was the son of S. M. and Mary E. Hair and was born in Walla Walla 18 years ago. He came to Wenatchee with his father last winter, where the family has since resided. Of the immediate relatives, besides the father and mother, there is one brother, Harley, left to mourn the young man's untimely death. Adams County News, July 29, 1903, issue Lydia Blum Lydia Blum, a young lady eighteen years of age, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Blum, who reside on Fourth street, died Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock after a month's illness. The cause of death seemed hard to determine and her sickness was attended with severe headache and cramping spells. The funeral occurred yesterday at 3 p.m. preceded by services at the German Congregational church conducted by Rev. G. Scheuerle, followed by burial at Spanjer cemetery. Locked in Slumber of Death Mrs. N. J. Couch, mother of ex-representative, Hon. Joseph O. Couch, has passed away at the ripe old age of 75 years. The subject of this memorial sketch was born in Gifford county, N. C., July 21, 1828, and died July 29, 1903. She was married to B. Y. Couch in 1847 and to them came a family of ten children, seven of whom are still in the land of living. Six of the children were at the beside when humanity's truest and most steadfast friend was called away. Her widowhood extends back to 1881, the husband's death occurring in Arkansas. They were pioneers of Leseur county, Minn., removing there in 1855. During the greater portion of her life she was identified with church work and was an earnest and consistent member. The children left and who deeply mourn their great loss are as follows: Mrs. Clara E. Nichols and Miss Lucy Couch of Cunningham, Hon. Joseph A. Couch, Jabez L., George M. and John R. Couch of this county and Mrs. Cynthia Jackson of Cleveland, Minn. The cause of death was a complication of disease. Last January a surgical was performed from which she never fully recovered. Rev. Elmer E. Davidson delivered an eloquent sermon at the Christian church and officiated during the entire funeral services. Interment took place Thursday afternoon at the cemetery on the hill. Adams County News, August 6, 1903, issue Mrs. John Schmidt Mrs. John Schmidt, wife of a leading German farmer five miles south of town, was the victim of a kerosene lamp explosion last evening and died at noon today from the effects of the burns, Dr. F. R. Burroughs was called but the poor woman was beyond human aid. She was 49 years old and leaves a husband and three children. In Eternal Rest Nathaniel Stacy Carrier, an old and highly respected citizen of this city, passed the portals of death at the home on Third street at noon yesterday. Several years ago the deceased was stricken with pneumonia which weakened the lungs finally bringing on consumption ending the life of our old neighbor at the round old age of 78 years, his last sickness dating to eight months ago. He was born at Columbus, Conn., May 7, 1825. In 1861 at Columbus, Pa., he was married to Miss Diadama Belknap, who was his faithful helpmate for 42 years and now survives him. He came to Adams county in 1889 and has since resided here. One brother, Nehemiah Carrier, still resides at Columbus, Pa., one daughter, Mrs. Thos. Fitzgerald, who with her husband, has been with the parents continually since the father's illness. The Trantum family, who are here and at Odessa, are near relatives. Funeral services will be held Thursday at the residence, interment in the city cemetery. Mr. Carrier had followed farming nearly all his life and was a man well liked by all classes of people. He was of strong, rugged constitution and would not be confined to his bed until the close of his career and only a few weeks ago was in our office, when he indicated that his long race with life was nearing the goal. Adams County News, August 13, 1903, issue Jack Brooks A man passing under the name of Jack Brooks was instantly killed at Harriston Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock by being run over by a freight train. The body was brought to the city by O. R. Haight, the undertaker, acting for Coroner Henderson at Lind. The dead man was fine appearing, well built, about thirty-five years of age, short stature, dark hair and complexion, educated affable and evidently had seen better days. He wore a suit of new clothes. The body was badly managled, skull fractured and right leg cut off above the knee. He had worked a short time for Fred Sandbrink leaving his employ last Saturday. Nothing is known of the deceased and there is some doubt expressed as to Brooks being his true name. There was nothing about his person or clothing by which his home or relationship could be established. He was buried by the county authorities yesterday. Adams County News, August 19, 1903, issue Beyond the Vale of Tears Rev. Gentry Rushing conducted the funeral of Mrs. Edith A. Rogers at Fletcher Christian church last Sunday at 11 a.m. The lady died of blood poisoning Friday, August 14, 1903. The funeral was one of the largest ever held from that church, the procession being one mile long to the Bemis cemetery, where the remains were laid to their last rest. She was born in Clark county, Missouri, November 23, 1883, being 19 years of age. She was married April 20, 1900, to Carl Rogers, and besides the husband leaves father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Best, well known and universally respected people of this county, and two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Watkins and young sister. She had been an active Christian worker for the past three years. Charles Kendrick Died in this city, Sunday, August 16, 1903, Charles Edward Kendrick, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Kendrick. Summer complaint was the cause of death. The little one came to bless the household on last Christmas and was a healthy bright baby and the loss is a hard one for the parents, who fairly worshipped the cherub. Burial occurred Monday afternoon in the cemetery on the hill. Adams County News, September 2, 1903, issue Mrs. Dicey Hammond Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hammond Saturday received the sad intelligence of the death of his mother, Mrs. Dicey Hammond, at Vermontville, Mich., on August 15th of paralysis. The lady was eighty-seven years of age. Lyon Infant The three-week-old infant child of Rev. and Mrs. E. P. Lyon died Saturday. Funeral services were held Sunday from the Baptist church and the little one interred in the Ritzville cemetery. Morris Ahern Morris Ahern died at his home eight miles north of this city on Thursday, Aug. 27, 1903, of paralysis caused from injuries received a week ago by being thrown from a wagon in a runaway. Deceased was about 65 years of age and was a native of Ireland. He came here from Glenco, Minn., fifteen years ago, was married in York state in 1846 to Miss Bridgett Keefe. A wife and seven children survive him - Mrs. Mary Basil of Dayton, Mrs. Ethel Baker of Lewiston, and Lawrence, Eugene, John and Morris Ahern and Willie, a three-year-old son of second wife. The funeral occurred Saturday conducted by Rev. T. H. Fertig and burial was in Spanjer cemetery in the afternoon. Adams County News, September 30, 1903, issue Farewell to Life Died at Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane, September 25, of organic disease of the heart, James F. Alburty, of Lind, Wash., aged 47 years. The deceased was in the prime vigor of manhood, a well known educator and had resided in Adams county four years. Missouri was his native state. Death was the result of a surgical operation two weeks ago for appendicitis. He leaves a devoted family and many friends to keenly mourn his untimely loss. Besides the widow is, a son, Everett, bookkeeper for the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., a daughter, Miss Irma, an accomplished and popular school teacher and three young children. When taken ill, Mr. Alburty was engaged in teaching a term of school at Kahlotus and had only entered upon his work a few days before. In his death the community is deprived of a kind and noble hearted neighbor, who was ever ready with a sympathetic word, a fraternal grasp of the hand, and a sincere friend. Funeral ceremonies and interment occurred Sunday at Lind under the auspices of Odd Fellows and Woodmen of which he was an honored member. James Chekal James Chekal committed suicide today at noon by shooting himself in the right temple with a 38 calibre pistol. The act was done in the field near his home, ten miles northwest of town. Dr. F. R. Burroughs was immediately called by phone, but on examination appearances indicate that death resulted instantly. The deceased was a Bohemian, thirty years of age, and married Mrs. John L. Burfiend about a year ago. Coroner J. W. Henderson came up and is on his way to the scene of the tragedy.