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 Washington State Journal, Thursday, January 2, 1909, issue Mrs. Margaret Abert Rev. Gentry Rushing received the sad news this morning that his sister, Mrs. Margaret Abert, had passed away at 8:15 p.m. on New Year's day at the family residence in Spangle, Wash. Deceased had reached the age of 38 years, 7 months and 14 days when death claimed her. She had been a great sufferer for the past two months. Besides the sorrowing huband and two sons, the mother, two sisters and three brothers are left to mourn their loss. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, January 14, 1909, issue Mrs. Fredricka Roloff ODESSA - Mrs. Fredricka Roloff died Monday at the home of her son, Daniel Roloff, south of town, from liver trouble and a complication of diseases. Deceased lacked but nine days of being 66 years old at the time of her death, while her husband, who died three years ago passed away at the same age, lacking one day. She is survived by three sons and four daughters. Funeral services were held at the German Baptist church yesterday, Rev. F. I. Reichle, pastor of the First German Baptist church of Spokane, officiating, after which the remains were laid to rest in the German Lutheran cemetery. W. R. Williams HATTON - W. R. Williams, a pioneer farmer, died Sunday at his home east of town. He was 60 years of age. Interment was made at Sutton cemetery Wednesday under the auspices of the Masons. Mrs. S. P. Wright Lewis Infant HATTON - With the death of Mrs. S. P. Wright at Walla Walla last Friday and that of the two-weeks-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lewis at their home east of here Saturday, this makes four deaths that have occurred among Hatton people in a week. These are the first deaths here for almost a year. Mrs. S. P. Wright The Walla Walla Bulletin on last Friday contained the following account of the illness and death of Mrs. S. P. Wright, who, with her husband, was for many years a resident of Adams county and the Ritzville country in particular. Mrs. S. P. Wright died at the Walla Walla hospital this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Mrs. Wright underwent a very serious operation on Sunday and although she had been in a very critical condition since, there had been hope that she would recover. Mrs. Wright was born in Obion, Tenn., 57 years ago, and was also married in the same state. She moved to Washington in 1887, and has made her home here since. Three months ago Mr. and Mrs. Wright moved to Walla Walla and built a nice home, which is now occupied by the family. The deceased is survived by her husband and five children who are Mrs. O. W. Goodenough, Hatton, and Hallie, Homer, Lottie, and Woody, who live at home. Mrs. Wright has since early childhood been a member of the Christian church and had been one of its most prominent workers, but her greatest work was in her home, where she was a noble example of motherhood. Funeral arrangements will be made later. Howard Goodrich HATTON - Howard Goodrich died Sunday morning after an illness of more than a year. He was 26 years of age and besides a wife leaves the following relatives: Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Goodrich, parents; and brothers and sisters as follows: Leslie Goodrich, Charley Goodrich, and Mrs. Dr. La Rault of this place; Mrs. Walters of Detroit, Mich., and Ray Goodrich of Greenacres. Funeral services were held from the residence Wednesday morning. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 14, 1909, issue DIED - At his home in Medford, Ore., Friday, Jan. 8, 1909, of senility, James Frederick Coss, age 86 years. Deceased was born in the state of New York, Feb. 7, 1832, where he lived until he married Sarah Jane Maxwell, when he moved to Wisconsin. Himself and wife lived in that state until 1872, when they came west, spending a few months in Portland, and in the spring of 1872 they moved to what was then Whitman County, but now a portion of Adams. They settled on Cow Creek 12 miles south of Ritzville and were among the very first settlers of Adams county. Here Mr. Coss engaged in stock raising. James F. Coss was a man of generous impulses, and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger, even though a beggar, never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands. He had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity quietly. He had filled the various relations of life, as son, husband, father, brother, friend, and filled them well. But he is gone! Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of old settlers. His work was done and well done. He had passed his golden wedding day and wearied with life's duties and cares, weary of suffering and waiting he lay down to rest. He leaves two sons, James F., jr., of Spokane, and Howard of Medford, Ore., and a daughter, Mrs. Al. Bailey of this city. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, January 21, 1909, issue Miss Katie Schoessler Miss Katie Schoessler, 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Schoessler, living 14 miles northwest of town died Sunday of consumption. Interment took place Tuesday at the County Line cemetery. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, January 28, 1909, issue William R. Williams IN MEMORIAM - William R. Williams, who died Jan. 11th, on a ranch 7 miles east of Hatton, was a member of Ritzville lodge No. 101, A. F. & A. M., and at its regular meeting held Saturday night, Jan. 23rd, the charter was ordered draped in mourning for 30 days and a resolution of sorrow and regret was presented. Brother Williams was born in Franklin county, Ill., June 4, 1835, and was the son of John R. and Sarah (Adams) Williams, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. His parents moved to Illinois when young, and later established a home in Missouri. After a brief space of time they again removed, going to Linn county, Kansas, where both died. The father was a farmer and also was a Baptist minister. Brother Williams was a member of a family of twelve children. He received a good common school education in the state of Illinois and Kansas, and at the age of 21 he left the school and engaged in teaching in Kansas. In 1861 he enlisted in what was called the Enrolled Militia of Kansas, and served throughout the Civil war. At this period of his life he became a Mason, having been a member of the order for 48 years at the time of his demise. During the war he engaged in the battles of the Big Blue in Jackson county, Missouri, Westport, Mine Creek and several other less important battles and skirmishes. During a portion of his enlistment he was sergeant of his company, which was detailed to defend the state. After the war his company was engaged in fighting the Jayhawkers for six months. Mr. Williams came west in 1888 and located on a homestead, where he resided until his death. In 1868 he was married to Elvira Street who died in 1875, leaving a family of six children - John R., Andrew J., Mary E., Anna B., Florence E. and James R. Williams. In 1876 he was again married, this time to Mrs. Amy Morrisson, widow of J. W. Morrisson. By his second marriage Mr. Williams had two children - William A., and Emma M. Williams. The surviving children are John R., and Andrew J., of Spokane; Mary E. Crashaw of Pleasanton, Kan.; Florence E. Lobaugh of Crabtree, Ore.; Estella M. Keeney of Seattle; Emma M. Brown of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and William A. Williams, who has always lived with his father. In the demise of Brother Williams Adams county has lost a worthy and good citizen, and the Masonic order a true and steadfast friend whose loss will long be mourned. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, February 4, 1909, issue Sarah Jane Mewhirter Miss Sarah Jane Harter was born in Ohio Nov. 11, 1831, where she grew to womanhood and was married to Mr. James Mewhirter Sept. 21, 1846. After 15 years of married life in Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Mewhirter moved to Iowa, where they lived until the death of Mr. Mewhirter in 1895, at the age of 72 years. The fruit of the 49 years of married life is four sons and six daughters - Adam Mewhirter of Loomis, S.D.; Mrs. Lydia Faulk, Everett, Wash.; Daniel W. Mewhirter, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Mrs. Mary E. Willis, Ritzville; Mrs. Rachel H. Smith, Davenport, Wash.; Brough Mewhirter, Alliance, Neb.; Mrs. Dora McDonald, Hastings, Neb.; Mrs. Iva Eason, Spokane, Wash. There are also 32 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. Grandma Mewhirter, as she was familiarly known in this county, finally left Iowa 7 years ago and came to Washington, where she made her home with her five daughters who live in this state. At the time of her last sickness she was at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lydia Faulk, at Everett, where she departed this life Jan. 28, 1909, aged 78 years, two months and 17 days. Sister Mewhirter was identified with the Christian church in her early years in Ohio, to which she adhered also in these last years. She was a caressing grandmother, a faithful and loving mother and wife, a congenial and sweet spirit to go to the Many Mansioned Home. The funeral was conducted from the Ritzville M. E. church at 1:30 p.m. last Sabbath, Rev. R. A. Armstrong of Lamona, who was pleasantly acquainted with grandma for the last three years, preaching the sermon. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, February 18, 1909, issue William H. Monday LIND - William H. Monday died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Newlin five miles southeast of Lind, last Sunday at the age of 53 years. He had heart disease and had been ill for about three months. For the past year or more he had made his home at Moscow, Idaho, but was brought to Lind about two weeks ago in the hope that the change would be beneficial to his health. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, February 25, 1909, issue Thomas McManamon, Pioneer Thomas McManamon, who died Sunday night in a Walla Walla hospital, was one of the owners of the famous McManamon ranch on Crab creek, near Frenchman hill, and was one of the best known stockmen in the Crab creek country. How long McManamon had been in the country no one knows, but the measure of all early happenings is the time that Zach Finney came here, and Uncle Zach says McManamon was living on Crab creek when he arrived. That was 22 years ago, and even then the McManamon ranch was well known among the buckaroos and cattlemen. McManamon was considered authority on all things south of Moses Lake, and in 1890 was elected county commissioner for the south part of Douglas county. But it was the ranch that the made McManamon famous throughout the Big Bend country. It was the only landmark in "the desert," being built a large ranch house close to Crab creek, just at the end of the Frenchman hill. It was the only ranch house in that section at an early day and the buckaroos or cattlemen, journeying from the north part of the county into the Frenchman hill country aimed to make the McManamon ranch to stay over night. The ranch lies 40 miles southwest of Wilson Creek. After an all-day ride over the sand hills the horsemen came in sight of the ranch, nestling by the creek and partly concealed behind the hill. McManamon had turned the streams to good use, and a considerable tract around the ranch was irrigated. Green trees and green grass loomed out of the desert, and the place was no more pleasing to the eye than the McManamon hospitality was to the hungry buckaroo. The ranch was stopping place for all. Isolated as it was the owners were always willing to listen to the stories from the outside world and, in turn, to tell the latest happenings of the hill country. Here it was that first news of how the stock had come through the winter was gleaned. Being practically the first man in the country McManamon had an opportunity to buy the country for a song. A representative of the Northern Pacific once offered McManamon what land the railroad company owned in the Big Pasture for 65 cents an acre. James McManamon was in favor of buying the land, but "Tommy" said that, as they were leasing the land at 2 cents an acre and as they could continue to do so, it would not be necessary, because the land would never be available for anything but grazing. There were 12 sections of railroad land in the Big Pasture. Now it is taken up by homesteaders and is worth from $10 to $30 an acre. The McManamons continued in the stock business, dealing mostly in cattle. Though they owned some horses they never made a speciality of them. The McManamon ranch is said to have suffered some by the outbreak of Moses Lake several years ago, which caused the drifting sand to pile up and on part of the land. There is still an extensive body of splendid land in the ranch, however. (According to the Ritzville Times, McManamon was born at Muscatine, Iowa, Aug. 23, 1858. He married Miss Belle Bowman of Pampa, Wash., Dec. 25, 1889. Survived by wife and three children: Chester, Raymond and Irene; two sisters: Mrs. Chris Ennis of Walla Walla, Mrs. Ella Day of Connell; five brothers: George, LaCrosse, James, of Lind, William of Ephrata, John of Kennewick, and Joseph of Othello.) The Washington State Journal, Thursday, March 4, 1909, issue Is Murder In The First Degree Mrs. Marie Jahnke Another life snuffed out, another boy with the brand of Cain on his forehead, another family deprived of the wife and mother, another tragedy added to the far too many in our country. All this because young men are permitted to carry weapons in defiance of law, order and good government. All this because liquor forms too important part in the social life and functions of certain of our citizens. On the 25th day of February, just past, the wedding of John Raugust and Odelia Jasmann was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Jasmann, in the town of Gradel, some 30 miles west of this city. As is the custom of our Russian people on such occasions, there was a large number of people present and beer was furnished in abundance. The festivities had continued all afternoon and the effects of drink were plainly to be noticed, says one of the guests. The sun had just gone from sight behind the western horizon and the moon was lighting up the broad plains of that section. Mrs. Marie Jahnke, together with her husband and five children, one a babe at the breast, were numbered with the party. Mrs. Jahnke was assisting with the wedding supper and in this work was passing to and fro between the house and a detached summer kitchen. It was thus that she chanced to be out of doors when Henry Schell fired the shot that snuffed out the life of a wife and a mother in the twinkling of an eye. Henry Schell, who confesses to having fired the shot that took a human life, says that it was purely accidental; that he was shooting at the ground; that the bullet deflected from a rock on the frozen surface, with the fatal result as noted above. Schell is a rather undersized youth, stolid and apparently indifferent, and will be 17 years of age on the 10th day of July next. The bullet entered the woman's body on the right side and just below the nipple. Word was immediately brought to the authorities at Ritzville and Deputy Sheriff Isaac McCollom and Dr. Bice left at once for the scene of the tragedy. The young man was brought to Ritzville and had his preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Steffer on Friday, the day following the shooting. Schell was bound over in the sum of $2,000, which he furnished. On Monday March 1st, at a hearing the boy was held in the sum of $5,000 on the charge of murder in the first degree. The bond was furnished and Schell is at liberty. Thomas Cosgrove CUNNINGHAM - Mrs. Wm. Gifford was called to Spokane this week by the death of her brother-in-law, Thomas Cosgrove. Mr. Cosgrove had enjoyed the best of health up to the time of his death. He had just finished a hearty breakfast and was in the act of putting on his overshoes preparatory to going out, when he was stricken and fell from his chair dead. Mrs. Geraldine Bouchier At her home in this city on Friday, February 26, 1909, Mrs. Geraldine Bouchier died of consumption, aged 55 years. Mrs. Bouchier had been a sufferer from the "white plague" for the past ten years, and for the last three years of her life was bedridden. Her husband died several years ago. John, her son, of this city, is the only living member of the family. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. M. Proctor. Mrs. Edward Sheppard At Medical Lake, Washington, on Saturday, February 27, 1909, Mrs. Edward Sheppard died of complications of heart and liver diseases. Deceased leaves a husband, one son and two daughters. Edith, the younger daughter, was married two weeks ago. The family came from Canada some years ago and settled in Adams county and became prosperous farmers, residing at Griffith's Corners. Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard moved to Medical Lake three years ago. The funeral was held in the Congregational church at Medical Lake Sunday afternoon. Burial was made in the Medical Lake cemetery. William Mackay At the home of Mrs. J. G. Bennett, two miles north of this city, Mr. William Mackay, aged 88 years, died on February 26, 1909, as the result of an accident. William Mackay succumbed after a long and painful illness. He was born in Caithnesshire, Scotland, in 1821, and his parents and all his ancestors were of Scottish origin. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mackay - Mrs. J. G. Bennett of Woodland Heights and William Mackay of Spokane. Mr. Mackay emigrated with his family to America in 1849, locating near Meadville, Penn., where he resided for nine years, when he removed to St. Charles, Minn. In the summer of 1879 he came to Walla Walla, and the following spring moved to what is now known as Ritzville and Adams county, but at that time it was a barren and uninhabited section of Whitman county, and he was one of the early pioneers of this locality. Mr. Mackay was a loyal Scot - no man loved his native land better than he; but he was also a true American and a staunch Republican, and often spoke of the Republican party making the United States the flourishing and prosperous country it is today. He was brought up in the Presbyterian faith and that church was always dear to his heart. He was a man of pure thoughts and elevating conversation, and was beloved by all who knew him for his gentle and cheerful life and he passed serenely into rest on the other shore of that mysterious sea "that never yet has borne on any wave the image of a homeward sail." The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. William Proctor of the First Congregational church, at the family residence. Many friends followed the remains to their final resting place in the cemetery on the hillside. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, March 11, 1909, issue Mrs. Sarah Little OTHELLO - Mrs. Sarah Little died last Friday evening at the home of her son, A. A. Little, three miles south of Othello. She was 79 years and 11 months old. Miss Louise McNicholas Miss Louise McNicholas, who taught school at Cunningham two years ago but who for the past year had been teaching at Krupp, died at the Washington hospital in Spokane Tuesday morning, February 23rd, having been taken suddenly ill while en route to Colville to visit her mother, Mrs. Emma George. The body was brought to Hatton on No. 15 last Saturday evening and taken to the Sutton cemetery where funeral services were conducted by Rev. George Burgess of Spokane Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. -Hatton Hustler Amos Bowers Amos Bowers, a pioneer of Adams county, died at his home at Delight, 16 miles southeast of Lind, on February 26th, at the ripe old age of 84 years. When the Delight postoffice was established 17 years ago he was appointed postmaster and held that office up to the time of his death. Mr. Bowers was a member of the Methodist church for 63 years. He is survived by his widow and six children - Mrs. Sara Freestone of Delight; Mrs. Lavina Sparks of Sunnyside; Mrs. Bertha Hamblen of Arlington, Oregon; Marion W. Bowers of Delight; Edward T. Bowers of Walla Walla; and Joseph H. Bowers of Sunnyside. -Lind Leader The Washington State Journal, Thursday, March 18, 1909, issue Mrs. Sarah E. Leonard At the family residence in this city, Mrs. Sarah E. Leonard died on Saturday, March 13, 1909, of Bright's disease. Mrs. Leonard was 51 years, 5 months and 26 days old at the time of her death. Sarah E. Mescher was born on the old homestead in Marion county, Oregon, Sept. 16, 1857, and grew to womanhood on the farm where she was born. She was married to T. B. Leonard on the 25th day of November, 1880, the fruits of this marriage being two daughters and one son, Mrs. Lena Amsler of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Miss Orva and Wallace Leonard of Ritzville, all of whom, with her husband survive her. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie M. West of Seattle, and Mrs. Olivia Veatch of Boise, Idaho. Mrs. Leonard came to Adams county, Washington, in 1887, where the family has since resided. Her father was a pioneer preacher of the Church of Christ, of which church she had been a member from her girlhood days. Brief funeral services were held at the family home on Nob Hill Sunday afternoon, Rev. Wright officiating, and the body was taken to Spokane Monday, where interment was made in Greenwood cemetery. Mrs. M. J. Burkhart At the family home near Delight, this county, Mrs. M. J. Burkhart, aged about 50 years, died on Monday, March 15, 1909. The deceased was one of the pioneers of this county and for a couple of years resided in this city. The family came from Kansas over 20 years ago. Two sons and two daughters came to bless the home, one of the daughters being dead. The one living is Mrs. T. A. German. The sons are Lee and Archie. Deceased was a member of the Baptist church. Interment was made at Dayton. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, March 25, 1909, issue Larmer Infant On Sunday, March 21, 1909, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. James Larmer of Griffith Corners died of lagrippe. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday from the home by Rev. Armstrong of Downs. Mrs. Catharina Thomsen In this city on Sunday, March 21, 1909, Mrs. Catharine Thomsen died from a stroke of paralysis, aged 63 years and 25 days. Deceased was born in Schlewsig-Holstein, Germany, on the 24th day of February, 1846, and was married to Ingver Thomsen in 1868. The family came to America in 1873, settling first in Illinois. In 1889 the Thomsens came to Adams county, Washington, and settled near Ritzville. In 1896, Mr. Thomsen died. Four children, two sons and two daughters came to bless the home. Deceased was a devout Christian and a member of the German Congregational church. The funeral was held Tuesday, Rev. W. M. Proctor preached a short sermon in the English and Rev. John Strohecker in the German tongue. (Ritzville Times states surviving children are: Tena and Henry, at home; Mrs. Katie Jansen, Sterling, Ill., Hans Thomsen, Spokane.)