Adams County,  Ritzville, WA  

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Adams County News, October 12, 1904, issue

Herring
	E. H. Herring, a prominent farmer of the flat, received a telegraphic message yesterday
morning announcing the death of a half brother and two sisters in a fearful train wreck Monday
near Wichita, Kansas. His father started east last night. The reports give the names as Clarence,
Ollie and Josie Herring of Coffeyville, Kansas.

Roy Sparks
	LIND - Roy Sparks, aged 18, died last evening of typhoid fever after an illness of over a
month. Dr. Henderson, who attended him, announced the case peculiar, and entertained but little
hope for his recovery from the first. The funeral services will be held at Delight Friday.

Adams County News, October 19, 1904, issue

Death of a Pioneer
	Oliver Perry Tuttle, a highly respected old pioneer resident of Adams county, passed
away Wednesday evening, October 19, 1904, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Stuart, on
East College Hill. For some time he had been a sufferer from acute rheumatism, and all efforts
to effect a cure were unavailing, the disease finally claiming his life. He was 70 years of age,
was born near Sugar Grove, Penn., December 15, 1834, and came to Ritzville in 1884, where, with
his family, he has since resided. In January, 1855, he was married to Rosina Lyon Stockwell, who
survives him, together with their six children, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. J. W. Smith,
Pilot Rock, Ore., Mrs. Frank Stuart and Mrs. W. F. Despain, of this city, Grant L. Tuttle of
Walla Walla, Guy S. of Potomac, Mont., and William S. of Odessa, Wash. Besides these he leaves
three sisters, Mrs. N. H. Greene of this city, Mrs. Hannah Smith of Lima, Ohio, and Mrs. Maria
Haupin of St. Charles, Minn.
	Funeral will occur from the home Friday, at 2 p.m., Henry Horn, George Sinclair, Sr., Jas.
Turner, J. M. Harris, Henry Zimmerman and W. R. Kennedy acting as pall bearers.

Isaac M. Crosley
	Isaac M. Crosley, a farmer owning land on Rattlesnake Flat, was accidently run over by a
heavy wheat wagon last Saturday, dying Tuesday evening from the injuries received. He leaves a
wife and family. Funeral occurred from the home today and burial in the Bemis cemetery. He was
a brother of Mrs. G. Leonard and an uncle of W. C. Reeder.

Adams County News, October 26, 1904, issue
		
Hon. Joseph S. Milam
	Hon. Joseph S. Milam, ex-representative from this county in the state legislature, died
at Spokane October 22, 1904, of Bright's Disease. Funeral services and interment occurred at
Washtucna, October 24th, in the Presbyterian church and was largely attended. The final resting
place of this respected old pioneer is in the Odd fellows cemetery on the hill ovelooking that
town, the last sad rites being held under the auspices of that fraternity.

Adams County News, November 9, 1904, issue

Bessie Putnam
	Bessie, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Putnam, died Saturday morning at the
home on College Hill, of typhoid fever. The young lady was 16 years of age and very popular among
her acquaintances.

Adams County News, November 16, 1904, issue

Mr. Williamson
	Mr. Williamson, the aged father of Mrs. Ida M. Patrick and Mrs. Geo. A. Metz, died at the
home of the former named lady on College Hill this afternoon. The deceased had been an invalid for
a long time and his demise was not unexpected. (Obit follows in next issue)

Mrs. David Richardson
	The people of our little city were shocked to learn of the unexpected death of Mrs. David
Richardson at the home in Quincy, Douglass county, on Friday, Nov. 11, 1904.
	Death's agony was mercifully brief. Heart trouble, induced by the expected arrival of her
son, Fred, in whom she born infinite confidence and great pride, probably had much to do with the
sudden demise of the estimable lady so favorably known to most of our people here, whom the family
resided among for some fifteen years. The deceased was married to a now sorrowing, bereaved and
prostrated husband at Lagrange, Indiana, in 1872. She was a retiring, quiet disposition, and a
devout member of the Christian church. Interment and impressive funeral ceremonies occurred at the
home in Quincy, Sunday, at 2 p.m. Rev. Lucky, an able minister of Wenatchee, officiating in the
last sad rites in the presence of a large assemblage of friends and neighbors, the remains being
laid at rest in God's Acre, the pretty little cemetery near the town of Quincy.
	Mrs. Richardson was held in the highest esteem by her neighbors. She was always ready,
night or day, to lend a helping hand in distress or sorrow to all of God's children. The piles
of flowers placed on her grave when she was laid to rest in Quincy cemetery last Sunday, shows
the high regard in which she was held by her neighbors among whom she had lived. The silent tears
and solemn steps at the grave attested the great pall of sorrow her death cast on the community.
	She leaves a husband, a son and daughter who mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and
loving mother, whose face is gone from sight, but whose memory will linger while life shall last.
(Obit followed as was printed in Quincy paper)
	Almost at the hour of going to press the news was received that Mrs. David Richardson
had passed to life eternal. The news was so sudden it was almost incredible, but later reports
verified the sad intelligence.
	Death was due to heart failure. Deceased had been actively engaged in house-cleaning,
which, together with the excitement attending the home-coming of her only son, who had been away
several months, was too much for her and the attendant strain brought on her death at 2:35 p.m.,
one pathetic feature being that her son was unable to arrive after all her motherly care for him.
	Mrs. Ricahrdson was born at Ithaca, N.Y., May 22, 1851, her maiden name being Viola
Huffman, a daughter of James M. Huffman. She came west to Lagrange, Indiana, in 1872, where two
years later she was married to Mr. Richardson. Together they came to Reno county, Kansas, from
there to Helix, Oregon, in 1885, and from Oregon to Ritzville, this state, from which, after 15
years residence, they came to Quincy.
	Deceased leaves behind a sorrowing husband, one daughter, Blanche, wife of C. L. Holcomb,
prosecuting attorney at Ritzville, and one son, Fred.

Adams County News, November 23, 1904

Mr. William Williamson was born in Duncansville, Penn., May 2, 1833, died at the home of his  
daughter, Mrs. Ida M. Patrick, Ritzville, Nov. 16, 1904, aged 71 years 6 months and 14 days.
	In 1850 he moved with his parents to Illinois and in 1855 married Mrs. Caroline Grover,
who survives him after nearly 50 years of happy companionship. To them 12 children were born,
eight of whom are still living. They are: Mrs. Ida Patrick of this city, Mrs. G. A. Metz and
Mrs. Lloyd Williamson of Hatton, this county; Mrs. W. E. Haynie of Pendleton, Ore., Mrs. W. C.  
Fredden of The Dalles, Ore., and two sons and a daughter of Humboldt, Nebraska. The first four
named were present at the funeral, also Mr. A. W. Grover and Arthur Grover, brother and nephew
of Mrs. Williamson, residing at Helix, Oregon.

Death of D. J. Kretzer
	"In the last stages of consumption and with but a few hours to live, D. J. Kretzer,  
booked at the police station at 4:25 yesterday afternoon as a sleeper, was removed to Sacred
Heart Hospital at noon today," says the Spokane Chronicle of today. "The man was taken to the
police station on a call from the Columbia Hotel. He was around the hotel and stated he wanted
to spend all his money, as he was to be taken to the poor farm, and they would take all of it
from him there. He was acting queerly and was sent to the station by Officer Thompson.
	"In the morning it was noticed that the man appeared to be very sick and Dr. Gray was
sent for. The doctor ordered his immediate removal to the hospital and stated that he could only
live a few hours at the most.
	"Kretzer has been staying at the Workingman's home for a while past. The day before
yesterday he went to 1219 Second avenue to saw some wood, and while there suffered a collapse.
The patrol wagon was sent for and he was removed to his room. Yesterday he left and was next
seen at the Columbia Hotel, from where he was removed to the station.
	"The man is 38 years of age and unmarried. It is said that he belongs to a lodge of  
Masons at Wasco, Oregon. He stated to the police yesterday that he had a brother living at The
Dalles, Ore., and that there were no other members of family. He is of slim build and wears a
mustache."
	Daniel J. Kretzer mentioned in the above article, together with his father, brother,
ex-Mayor Philip L. Kretzer of this city, now at The Dalles, Ore., and Henry W. Kretzer, now
of Cornelius, Ore., all resided here from 1888 to about 1893.

Adams County News, November 30, 1904, issue

Sad Death of Mrs. G. S. Gritman of Palouse City
	The people of Ritzville were pained to learn of the fatal accident which befell Mrs.  
Gage S. Gritman last Friday night, causing her death Monday morning at 3 a.m. While going from
Garfield to her home in Palouse City, in a livery rig, when near the Peddicord farm in the  
darkness the carriage ran off the edge of a culvert bridge, dashing Mrs. Gritman and the driver
into a deep ditch. The lady had been on a visit with her sons in Pendleton, Ore., and was on her
way home. Upon examination by Dr. Egerton it was found that Mrs. Gritman was severely bruised
and injured about the right side. The absent members of the family were telegraphed and all
summoned as quickly as possible. Harry E. Gritman, the pioneer druggist of this city, accompanied
by his wife, left on the first train after receiving the sad news, but reached the bedside of
his mother too late to see her in life. Wm. L. Gritman of Seattle, the eldest son, passed through
here Monday night, only in time to attend the funeral, which took place at the home yesterday.
	Mr. and Mrs. Gage S. Gritman were among the early settlers of this county and are most
favorably known and remembered by most of the people here now, and the death of Mrs. Gritman
comes as a shock to the community.

Adams County News, December 7, 1904, issue missing from files

Adams County News, December 14, 1904, issue

Laid in Marble Forest
	Last Thursday Mrs. N. H. Greene, aged 59 years, after a brave battle for life, sank into
the last long sleep that ends the journey. During much of her illness the noble woman suffered
pain unspeakable, and death's summons to the final great reward seemed merciful. All that human
skill could accomplish, all that tender and loving hands could bestow by a devoted husband,
daughter and son, was of no avail for the tired and weary spirit of mother took its flight to
join that vast multitude gone before. Saturday afternoon, just as the funeral procession  
emerged from the spacious home on the hill, the beautiful, warm sunlight came through the  
overhanging clouds and a bright sun shone throughout the entire ceremonies, which lasted two
hours. All business was suspended while the funeral was in progress.
	The First Congregational church was crowded beyond its doors, while many of the large
concourse of people remained standing until the close of the sad obsequies. Rev. Frank E. Whitham
of Wallace, Idaho, former pastor and a near friend of the family, delivered a touching eulogy
particularly appropriate for the solemn occasion. A splendid quartet, Mrs. W. H. Martin, Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Staser and Mrs. Fred Weiand, rendered the choice selections in sacred music, Miss
Eleanor Staser presiding at the chapel organ.
	The elaborate floral offerings in tribute were in deepest profusion and banked at the  
church altar. Among contributors outside of the family bringing wreaths and garlands of sweet
roses and many other fragrant flowers were the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge, the Lady
Maccabees and others. Entwined in a large centerpiece in purple letters appeared the name "Mother"
and on the silver plate of the handsome casket were the words, "At Rest."
	Sunday morning the reamins were conveyed from the home by O. R. Haight, the undertaker,
in a modern, handsome hearse drawn by two coal black horses driven by Mr. Claud A. Harris, to the
Northern Pacific railway station, and the corpse transported to Spokane, accompanied by Mr. N. H.  
Greene, the husband, Mrs. Mattie Martin, the daughter, Orr H. Greene, the son, the following
relatives being in the party: Mrs. W. H. Davenny, Miss Laura Davenny, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stuart,
D. A. and Fred G. Davenny. Others friends and acquaintances in the funeral cortege were Mrs. James
G. Bennett, Mrs. Cerita L. Tinnel, Mrs. E. D. Gilson, Miss Anna Olson, W. Harry Martin and Prof.
W. J. Sutton.
	The selected Masonic pall bearers who acted here and at Spokane were Mayor Fred E. Robbins,
Daniel A. Scott, R. P. Smith, James Turner, Byron L. Sutton and E. D. Gilson. Interment occurred
Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Greenwood cemetery as previously announced and arranged. Beneath a
mountain of sweetest and richest flowers, lillies, ferns, violets and hyacinths, lies the silent
form of a genial, kind hearted, sympathetic woman, a loss to this vicinity which will be felt for
a long time, but great as it is to the community at large, it is nothing as compared to the loss
of the husband and orphans.

Adams County News, December 21, 1904, issue

Died - At the residence of his son, John C. Huffman, a successful farmer near Fletcher, Adams
county, Washington, December 6, 1904, at the ripe old age of 83 years and 11 days, after a brief
illness of only three days, of paralysis, Barney Huffman.
	Saturday, the 3rd of December, he went about his routine work as usual, giving no evidence
to the family that he was suffering from ill health, at each meal of the day receiving his food
with pleasure and good cheer, and when the evening came retiring with no visible sign of discomfort,
but soon after midnight his body became paralyzed, except his left arm. His power of speech was
gone and he was never able to speak again, though his death did not occur until three days later.
	About thirty hours after he was paralyzed he was turned on his side, closed his eyes
and continued to lay in this position, never moving, seeming all the time to breathe with ease
and comfort, until at last he gasped twice and the end of temporal life came to this faithful
man and patient soldier of the cross, who was in his Master's service for more than half a century.
	Barney Huffman first made his appearance on earth near Hillsville, the county seat of
Carroll county, Virginia, November 25, 1821, just eight days prior to the date of Hon. James
Monroe's fifth annual message, which was the beginning of his second administration as president
of the United States.
	Thus, his infancy and childhood began under Monroe, his boyhood under John Q. Adams, his
youth under Andrew Jackson and continued under Martin Van Buren, and his manhood and majority
found him at the polls casting his primary viva voce suffrage for James K. Polk. In his 19th year,
in 1840, in the battle of life, he enlisted for a faithful discharge of duty with Lucritia
Williams, until death should end their career, and this relation of husband and wife continued
for more than 64 years.
	He observed the old Virginia rule and got his wife within the smoke of his own chimney,
his wife being a resident of the same county.
	They began this new relation in life in their native county, and were blessed with three
children, Lavinia, Laura and the unnamed baby boy, who died when three weeks old, while they resided
there. In 1849, a desire to better their condition caused them to fall in with the tide of
emigration that was drifting many of the sons and daughters of the Old Dominion into the state of
Indiana, halting near Manhattan, Putnam county, Indiana, where they remained in the farm life
until 1863, when they moved to near New Hartford, Pike county, Illinois. In 1850, while residing
near Manhattan, Indiana, they were thrown in contact with the Restoration of the Bible and the
abandoning of all human creeds, and they once united with the Church of Christ on the firm  
foundation that "where the Bible speaks, we speak, and where it is silent, we are silent." For 54
years Brother Huffman has continued faithful in the body of Christ.
	In 1888 Brother and Sister Huffman again found themselves in the flood tide of emigration
westward. Their son, John C., having embarked before them, they landed near Fletcher and found a
habitation with him, continuing there without interruption until death.
	They were bless with 11 children, three, Lavinia, Laura, and the unnamed baby boy, have all
gone over the river of death, but John C., Philip, and Hanna Scott, Rubbie Purcell, James, Robert,
Daniel and Linzy still live, and all live in Washington but Robert, who resides in California.
They have 25 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
	While death occurred on the 6th of December, his body was not put out of sight until the
10th, in order that his children might have an opportunity to attend the funeral services, which
were conducted by Elder W. R. Cunningham.

Mrs. John Luiten
	Mrs. John Luiten died at the home north of town Sunday night. Confinement and blood
poisoning. Drs. J. W. Lansin, F. R. Burroughs and John Johnston were in attendance.

Adams County News, December 28, 1904, issue missing from files