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 ==================================================================== The Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 1, 1908, issue Irving Hoskin WASHTUCNA - Irving, the 9-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. I. A. Hoskin, died at 10 o'clock Sunday evening. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, Rev. M. A. Babcock of the Congregational church officiating. Burial was at the Odd Fellows' cemetery. Passing of an Estimable Lady DIED - At the residence of James Kennedy on Cow Creek, in the vicinity of Washtucna, Adams county, Wash., Mrs. Elizabeth J. West, from the effects of a paralytic stroke affecting the left side. This trouble began with her Tuesday afternoon, and death took place at 4 a.m. on Thursday. Her temporal life began Jan. 5, 1838, in Madison county, Kentucky, east of Richmond, not far from Boonesborrow, the place where Daniel Boone first established himself and became a terror to the Indians of the north and south, who tried to hold the "Dark and Bloody Ground" as a permanent hunting ground. When death came if found her 70 years, 8 months and 19 days of age. Elizabeth J. Kennedy was the daughter of Thomas S. Kennedy and Iviline Kennedy, who remained in their Kentucky home in Madison county until 1842, when they moved with their family to Clay county, Missouri, raising a family of 11 children, three sons and eight daughters, six being born in Kentucky and five in Missouri. Elizabeth J. Kennedy being one of the Kentucky children. At the age of 18 Elizabeth J. Kennedy was married to Madison West at the family residence in Clay county, Missouri, in the year 1856, Feb. 8, while the "Border War" was progressing in Kansas between the Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery men, each side trying to establish their supremacy in that territory. The result of this marriage was three children, two daughters and one son, as follows: Martha Lee West, now Mrs. John Gray of Washtucna, Wash.; Anna J. West, now Anna J. Bernard of Holden, Mo., and James J. West, who with his wife and children now live with James Kennedy on his livestock farm on Cow creek. Two brothers and two sisters: James Kennedy, born Jan. 12, 1830, Eveline Venrick, aged 63 years, now living in Platte, county, Mo.; Martha W. Hawkins, wife of Thomas Hawkins, aged 60 years, resides on their homestead near Lantz, Adams county, Wash., and Thomas Kennedy, aged 58 years, lives in Christian county, Missouri. James Kennedy, when he left Missouri came to California and from here, in 1864, came to Walla Walla, Wash., and remained there until 1877, when he came to Adams county and settled on Cow creek, and began his stock farm, where he still lives on the finest stock farm on Cow creek. Madison West, the husband of Elizabeth J. West, died in Missouri, Feb. 8, 1877. On Feb. 25, 1877, she came with her children to Adams county and this brother and sister lived on their stock farm until her death, and in that community they soon became to their neighbors, "Uncle Jimmie" and "Aunt Bettie," and were greatly loved and highly respected by all who knew them. In 1856 at Smithville, in Clay county, Missouri, Elizabeth J. West obeyed the Gospel, being immersed into Christ, and for 52 years has been a member of the Church of Christ. The writer of this article attended the funeral services at the Kennedy residence. -Elder W. R. Cunningham The Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 8, 1908, issue John Smith The death of John Smith, one of Adams county's early settlers, occurred at his home in Sprague Tuesday. The remains were brought to Ritzville on Wednesday morning for interment, funeral services being held at the German M. E. church under the direction of Rev. John C. Mueller. Mr. Smith was born in Germany 56 years ago, and when a young man came to this country, settling in Minnesota. Some 20 years ago he settled in Adams county where he resided until a few years ago when he moved to Sprague. Mr. Smith was married twice, his first wife having died from burns received by the accidental explosion of a can of oil, some six years ago. His second marriage took place after moving to Sprague. He is survived by three children, Leonard, Miss Emma and Mrs. Collier, all of whom reside here, and the widow, who will continue to have her home in Sprague. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 15, 1908, issue Harter Infant HATTON - Word was received here the first of the week of the death of the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Harter, which occurred at Laidlaw, Ore., on Thursday, Oct. 1. The little one was six months and 14 days old. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 22, 1908, issue Death of James Olney The many friends of James Olney, for many years a familiar figure in Ritzville, will be grieved to learn of his death in Spokane on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The funeral will be held at the First Congregational church on Friday morning at 11 o'clock. The local G. A. R. veterans will have charge of the services. Rev. W. M. Proctor will preach the sermon. Benjamin Franklin Jones WASHTUCNA - After an illness of three weeks with typhoid fever, Frank Jones died at 1 o'clock Tuesday morning at his home in the north part of town. Funeral services were held at the Christian church at 2:30 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon attended by many friends of the young man. Rev. Frances A. Ware, who is holding meetings at the Christian church preached the funeral sermon. Interment was at the Odd Fellows' cemetery. Benjamin Franklin Jones was born in Columbia county, and was 21 years old on Aug. 13. He is survived by his parents and three brothers and three sisters. The father, who has been at Starbuck, arrived some days ago, when Frank was very low, and his recovery was doubtful. Charles Wellsandt Mrs. Henrietta Wellsandt We regret to record this week the death of two more of Adams county's pioneers. The first is that of Charles Wellsandt, living on South Third street, Ritzville, whose death occurred at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning at the age of 75 years. Funeral services will be held at the German Lutheran church tomorrow at 2 p.m. The other is that of Mrs. Henrietta Wellsandt, living at the home of John Wellsandt, three miles south of the city, whose death occurred about 8 o'clock Wednesday night. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the German Lutheran church. Obiturary notices are reserved until next week. (Note: The obituraries did not appear in the following issue or those after.) The Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 29, 1908, issue James Olney Obituary James Olney, who died in Spokane on Thursday, Oct. 22 and was buried from the First Congregational church of Ritzville on Friday, Oct. 23, was a native of Canada, having been born Sept. 30, 1830. At the time of his death he was 78 years, one month and two days old. For 30 years he had been a widower, and leaves one married daughter, Mrs. Bertha Pitman, who lives at Lamona, in Lincoln county. Mr. Olney lived in Adams county for 18 years, most of the time at the home of his brother-in-law, D. C. Barronett. He was a civil war veteran, serving in the Tenth Kansas regiment, an honored member of the W. B. Hazen Post, G. A. R. of Ritzville. He served as quartermaster of the post for 12 years, and during the time he performed the duties of that office not even the slightest mistake was ever found in his accounts. He requested that his comrades of the Grand Army should have charge of his funeral, and that he should be buried in the soldiers' field. His life was a splendid example of the virtue of faithfulness to duty. An acute sufferer from rheumatism contracted while fighting his country's battles, he was habitually cheerful and uncomplaining. To those who knew him best his life was a benediction. Mrs. J. F. Coss, Jr. Mrs. J. F. Coss, Jr., a former resident of Ritzville, died at the family home in Spokane Sunday night. The remains were taken to the old home in Portage, Wis., for interment. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 5, 1908, issue John Jarvenpaa WASHTUCNA - An overdose of wood alcohol, taken to relieve the misery after a debauch, ut an end to the life of John Jarvenpaa, a homesteader, at 10:30 o'clock Saturday morning at Fred John's, in the neighborhood of Lantz postoffice. On Wednesday of last week Jarvenpaa was drinking heavily at Ritzville where a month ago he lost $260 in some manner, presumably by gambling. Returning to the home of Clarence Martin, in the neighborhood of his ranch, he was without the usual stimulants for recovering from a spree, and took instead a half-pint of wood alcohol in spite of the warnings of his friends. He had frequently taken extracts to sober up, and protested that the poison would not hurt him. Jarvenpaa's son was with him when he died. He owned an 80-acre homestead on Cow creek. The man was born in Finland. His wife, Sophia, is in Bovey, Minn. The body was buried Monday at Odd Fellows' cemetery, Washtucna, after an investigation of the case by Coroner Sherfey. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 26, 1908, issue Alena Rinehart WASHTUCNA - Alena Rinehart, the 15-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Rinehart, died at 6 o'clock Saturday evening of scarlet fever after an illness of three days. Several members of the family have recently been afflicted, but no more deaths are expected. A short prayer service was held Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. James H. Edgar of the United Presbyterian church at the residence on the old Nelson ranch, but owing to the nature of the disease no public service could be held. Burial took place at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Odd Fellows' cemetery. Mrs. Ethel Perkins The sudden death of Mrs. Ethel Perkins, wife of O. H. Perkins of Medical Lake, which occurred at the Ritzville hospital Friday at 2 p.m., was a severe shock to her relatives and friends here and at Medical Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins came to Ritzville last Tuesday to spend a few days visiting with Mrs. Perkins' sister, Mrs. H. I. Ellis, and family. On Wednesday she was taken seriously ill and was at once removed to the hospital, where an operation for septicemia was performed by Drs. Hewit, Bice and Lasater. The patient never rallied after leaving the operating table. Mrs. Perkins was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Enloe, and moved to Medical Lake with her parents from the east 19 years ago. She was at that time 10 years of age. Seven years ago she was married to O. H. Perkins of Medical Lake. They had resided on the farm of the husband's father about three miles north of the lake. Mr. Perkins, the husband, and Mr. and Mrs. Enloe, parents, Miss Myrtle Enloe and Mrs. H. I. Ellis, sisters of the deceased were here at the time of her death. The remains were taken to Medical Lake Saturday morning, accompanied by sorrowing relatives, where the funeral services were held. Mrs. Perkins was apparently in the best of health on her arrival here. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 3, 1908, issue W. W. Chrisman WASHTUCNA - W. W. Chrisman, former station agent at Washtucna, was killed Wednesday morning at Marshall Junction, 10 miles west of Spokane, by being struck by the westbound limited No. 1. He saw the train coming but for some unaccountable reason did not get far enough from the track. Mr. Chrisman was struck in the side and killed instantly. No marks were left on the body. The remains were taken at once to Spokane, where his wife and two children live. Mr. Chrisman had been working for the past 10 days as chairman for W. D. Clegg. Mr. Clegg will be remembered here. He has charge of the Portland & Seattle construction as head of a surveying crew. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 10, 1908, issue Death of Pioneer Editor James Odgers, editor and publisher of the Davenport Tribune, died Saturday morning at 11:30 from perforation of the bowels. James Odgers was born in Cornwall, England, Jan. 14, 1849, and came to America in 1867, settling in New Jersey in Nebraska. In 1888 he came to Ellensburg, Wash., where he engaged in the real estate business. Later he went to Coulee City, where he entered the newspaper business. He came to Davenport in 1900 and has been editor of the Tribune since. He had two brothers and two sisters, R. H. Odgers of Davenport and William Odgers of Spokane, one sister living in Belvidere, Ill., and one in Newark, N.J. A wife and two sons survive him. Lee Odgers, who has been associated with his father in the newspaper office, and Carlyle, a lad of 14 years. The funeral was held Monday afternoon. Samuel Gaskill Samuel Wright Gaskill was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, June 25, 1834. He was married to Phoebe A. Gaskill Jan. 10, 1859, in Atlamont, Mich. Six children were born to this union. In 1871 Mr. Gaskill moved to Kansas and lived there until 10 years ago, moving to Adams county, Washington, residing here ever since. Mr. Gaskill was postmaster at Leon, Wash., for seven years. He was afflicted for many years and in July, 1908, Bright's disease set in, terminating fatally. He was very patient and cheeful through the long weeks of suffering and died at his home on College Hill Nov. 28, 1908; aged 74 years, 10 months and 3 days. A wife and one daughter, Mrs. Nettie B. Amick, seven grandchildren, four brothers, four sisters and many other relatives are bereft of a devoted companion, a loving father and a noble friend. Funeral services were held at the home Sunday, Nov. 29, 1908, conducted by Rev. Wright of the Christian church, after which the remains were laid to rest in Bemis cemetery, beside his two sons. Mrs. Carolyn Williamson Mrs. Carolyn Williamson, sister of Mrs. J. H. King of this city, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Patrick, on College Hill last Thursday at the age of 72. The deceased was thought to be in fairly good health until only two or three days before her death. Funeral services were held from the Methodist church on Saturday, Rev. Frank Winters preaching the sermon. Relatives from Oregon and Hatton attended the funeral. They were G. A. Metz and family of Hatton, Walter Hainey and family of Hatton; two brothers, A. W. Grover and A. B. Grover of Helix, Ore.; a sister, Mrs. A. H. Smith of Pendleton, Ore., and a son, Lloyd Williamson of Helix, Ore. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 17, 1908, issue Man Murdered at Hooper Moses R. Clark was lodged in jail here Wednesday night on a charge of murder committed at Hooper, Wash., at 10 o'clock on the night of Dec. 15. It appears that at the time of the tragedy Clark and Charles Ax, the deceased, were in George Mustard's saloon, and were apparently in a good humor, and were drinking, but no one seemed to be intoxicated, when Ax passed around through the saloon striking different parties in a playful manner. Approaching Clark, he struck him also lightly, whereupon Clark became offended, and after passing a few blows, drew a knife and with his left hand stabbed Ax near the heart, from the effect of which he died within an hour. It is reported that both men have been sheep-herders, but little is known of either of them except that it is said that Clark has a wife and two children, his wife being postmistress at Drewsey, Ore., and that he has lived apart from her. His mother lives in Yolo, Cal., where he also has a brother. He came to the Hooper neighborhood some three weeks ago, where he has been working for McGregor Bros. Ax is a Swede, 37 years old, and is single; he has a brother living near Hooper. He is a laborer. After the trouble in the saloon those present made an effort to get control of Clark, and take the knife away from him, but he resisted strongly and made an effort to stab Mustard, and then he was overpowered. The deputy sheriff, Claude Harris, who happened to be in Hooper, was called from the hotel and arrested Clark, who advised Sheriff E. D. Gilson of the crime and held Clark until the arrival of the sheriff, prosecuting attorney and coroner. The inquest was held in the bar room, where the tragedy was enacted, with the remains of Ax on the stretcher, Clark in irons and the officers proceeding with the examination very soon after which they began to dispense liquor in the room. It is said there was a great danger of violence being committed upon Clark, as a number of the countrymen of Ax threatened to take him to a near-by bridge and hang him. It was no doubt due to the presence of the officers that further trouble did not occur. When Clark was searched it is said that he had in his pockets a stone and some cartridges. So far as known by the offiers these men never knew each other until a very short time ago. Daniel J. Zent Daniel J. Zent, who three months ago moved from Walla Walla to Pasco to make his home, is dead, after several weeks' illness, death following a stroke of paralysis. During his residence here he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and continued it in Pasco. He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., May 8, 1839, and served in the Civil war. He lived in Kansas, Colorado, Oregon and Washington since the war. He is survived by his wife and 10 children, as follows: F. P. Zent, Everett; Mrs. F. F. O'Leary, Oak Harbor; E. W. Zent, Gooding, Idaho; Judge W. W. Zent, Ritzville; Mrs. James Kerr, Midway, B. C.; Mrs. E. T. Dell, Kivna; George W. Zent, Kate Zent, Pasco; D. E. Zent, Spokane and Mrs. T. R. Wood, Seattle. -Walla Waal Bulletin The Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 31, 1908, issue Lillian Nadine Camp WASHTUCNA - Lillian Nadine, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexis Camp, died last Saturday morning of bronchial pneumonia, after a sickness of several days. The child was 11 months and 8 days old. Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon at the Christian church by Rev. James H. Edgar. Burial was at the Odd Fellows' cemetery. Clark Long Clark Long died of typhoid pneumonia at Soap Lake, Tuesday afternoon, and will be buried there today. Deceased was at one time one of the most prominent merchants in Ritzville, but for several years past has been boosting Paha, his home town. He leaves a wife and family of four boys and one daughter.