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, April 15, 1909, issue Mrs. Tuggle Mrs. Tuggle, mother of P. E. Nickerson, was stricken suddenly by paralysis Saturday evening while apparently in the best of health. She was removed to the sanitarium, where she died Wednesday without regaining consciousness. The primary cause was Bright's disease. The body was shipped to Spokane yesterday on No. 4 by Undertaker Guernsey. Mrs. Tuggle formerly lived in Spokane and the funeral services and burial will be held there. -Prosser Record. Deceased was formerly a resident of Ritzville and only a month since was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Kendrick of this city for several days. John Burkhart Word was received from Tacoma Monday night that John Burkhart had died suddenly in that city. Deceased was a pioneer of Adams county and was well known in Ritzville, having left here only last fall. At that time his health was failing, but it was not thought that his death was so near. In 1884 deceased came to this county and took up a homestead near Washtucna, where he resided until three years ago, when he removed to this city. The remains were buried at Washtucna today. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, April 22, 1909, issue Last Sad Rites For A. J. Burkhart A. J. Burkhart, one of the earliest pioneers of the Washtucna country, who died suddenly last Sunday at Tacoma, was buried yesterday at Odd Fellows' cemetery, Washtucna, with the honors of the Masonic order, after services held at 2 o'clock at the Christian church. Rev. T. T. Denhardt, formerly of Clarkston, Wash., chaplain of the Masonic lodge at Ritzville and pastor of the Episcopal church in that city, delivered the funeral sermon. Fifteen members of the Ritzville lodge had charge of the services both at the church and at the cemetery. Mr. Burkhart's death removes one who for many years was one of the best known men in Adams county and a prosperous and respected farmer. For several years he suffered with what was thought to be rheumatism and three weeks ago was seized with a severe stomach and liver trouble which was the immediate cause of his death. He was walking through his house when he dropped to the floor unable to speak and died soon afterward. Mrs. Burkhart arrived here yesterday morning from Tacoma, bringing the body, which was taken to the home of John Gray, to remain until time for the funeral. Mr. Burkhart was born in Newton county, Missouri, July 31, 1854. He was married in 1876 at Smithfield, Mo., to Miss Sarah Rinker. They emigrated to Washington from Kansas in 1883, settling in Columbia county and the following year coming to Adams county, where Mr. Burkhart was one of the earliest settlers on Rattlesnake Flat. He was the owner to two sections nine miles northeast of Washtucna, part of which he rented to his two sons, Cline and Nelson. Four years ago Mr. Burkhart bought property in Ritzville and moved with his family from the ranch to that city, but last fall moved to Tacoma. He was a member of the First Methodist church at Ritzville as well as of the Masonic lodge, in whose councils he stood high. Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart were the parents of thirteen children - Mrs. Philip Watkins; Myrtle, Ralph, James, Eddie, Fredie, Andrew and Sibyl of Tacoma; Bennie, Cline, Nelson, Robert and Arthur, who live here. Deceased is also survived by four brothers and three sisters - J. W. Burkhart of Spokane; D. G. Burkhart of Dayton; C. L. Burkhart of Dayton; M. L. Burkhart of Washtucna; Mrs. O. M. Nicholls of Spokane; Mrs. Lou Lake of Spokane; Mrs. Charles Slocum of St. John. All the latter were present at the funeral except Mesdames Lake and Slocum. - Washtucna Enterprise The Washington State Journal, Thursday, April 29, 1909, issue Samuel Leonard Gideon Leonard received a wire Wednesday morning conveying the sad intelligence of the sudden death of his brother, Samuel, at Decatur, Ill. Deceased was 76 years of age, retired, and has a son, Luther, in Spokane. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, May 6, 1909, issue Wm. B. Bruihl DIED - At the family home near Benge City, this county, on Tuesday, May 4, 1909, Mr. Wm. B. Bruihl, aged 48 years, of lagrippe. Deceased was a pioneer of Adams county, having located here 25 years ago. He was a good father and husband, a fine business man and a useful citizen. He leaves a competence of this world's wealth for his wife and three children. The funeral was held at Winona Wednesday. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, May 6, 1909, issue W. B. Bruihl BENGE - W. B. Bruihl died Tuesday morning at 3 o'clock. His death was very sudden. He had been ill not more than a week. He took cold, which rapidly developed into the grip. Dr. Victor of Winona attended him. The funeral was held Wednesday at 4 o'clock at Winona. Mr. Bruihl was one of the prominent men of this community. He was a large land owner and stock man. He has resided here about 20 years. He leaves a wife and three children. He was about 48 years old. He was born in Missouri. He married Miss Cora Hawn. They had been married about eight years. He was one of the early settlers of the country. He was a sheep- herder and got his start in that way. He herded for Hooper in his younger days. He has been successful in a business way and leaves a large estate. Charles P. Bruihl, a brother, and Mrs. Cora Dunn, besides his father, survive him. A. B. Warkentine Dr. Armann, county coroner, went to Menno Tuesday to investigate the report that a man had been found dead there. It proved to be A. B. Warkentine, who dropped dead while plowing in the field. Mrs. Philip Watkins A message was received yesterday by Cline Burkhart announcing the death of Mrs. Philip Watkins at Tacoma. The cause of her death was not stated. Mrs. Watkins was the daughter of the late A. J. Burkhart. The remains will probably be brought here for burial. -Washtucna Enterprise The Washington State Journal, Thursday, May 13, 1909, issue Mrs. Wm. Tuttle DIED - In this city on Thursday, May 6, 1909, after a brief illness, Mrs. Wm. Tuttle, aged 35 years, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Frank Stewart. Funeral services were held Sunday at 11 o'clock in the forenoon a the Congregational church, the pastor, Rev. Thomas F. May officiating. The interment was at Hillside cemetery. Deceased was a resident of Odessa, where a husband and three children mourn her early taking away. The children are a girl of 12, and twin boys aged three. Mrs. W. F. Despain of this city is also her sister. Her parents reside in Wisconsin. Mrs. Tuttle had 21 own and half sisters and brothers. The Ritzville Times, Thursday, May 13, 1909, issue Mrs. W. S. Tuttle Dead Mrs. William S. Tuttle, whose maiden name was Pereus Adelaide Schoonover, died at the home of Frank Stuart at 6 o'clock last Friday morning after a long struggle with a complication of physical troubles which defied the skill of the physicians, and made evident what the result would be several weeks before the end came. She was married to William S. Tuttle Dec. 25, 1894, and was 35 years old at the time of her death. Mrs. Tuttle was formerly a resident of Ritzville, and will be remembered here for her Christian virtues and many ministrations to the sick. Lately her family home has been at Odessa, from which place it was moved to this city two weeks before she died. She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, William S. Tuttle, and three children. Rosina Lillian, aged 12 years, and Oliver and Ormand, twin boys, aged three and one-half years, and her aged parents and several brothers and sisters in the state of Wisconsin, besides the following brothers and sisters in the Northwest: Mrs. Shearer of Newport, Idaho; Mrs. Ella Carpenter of Kennewick; and Mrs. Roy Trantner, Miss Myrtle and Messrs. Levi, Warren and Walter Schoonover of Odessa. The funeral was held in the Congregational church at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, Rev. Thomas F. May preaching the sermon. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, May 20, 1909, issue Little Girl Burned To Death With cruel flames enveloping her little body. singeing and burning her curly locks, charring the rosy cheeks, shrivelling the loving little hands and making sightless the bright blue eyes - such was the awful fate of little Mattie Anderson, near Cunningham last Saturday. The facts as we have them are as follows: The father of the little six- year-old girl is O. M. Anderson, who is a renter on the Michael Ellison ranch 12 miles northwest of Cunningham. Mr. Anderson was plowing in a field about 60 rods from the house, and wishing to burn a strawstack, sent two little boys, younger than their sister, to the house for matches, the little girl returning with her brothers. The fire was started and the father took his little daughter onto the plow with him and at the point nearest home set her down with instructions to run in to her mother, who was caring for a babe not yet a week old. The charm of the fire was too much for the little one's curiosity and she went back to it and commenced to play with the burning straw. In this way her clothing caught fire and the mad race for the house began. The little boys reached the house first and Mrs. Ellison ran to save the burning girl, who dropped dead before the agonized woman could reach her. Funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. Cook, the Methodist pastor at Hatton. The interment was made in the cemetery at Hatton. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, June 3, 1909, issue Gus Koontz Gus Koontz, the well known character about town, was found dead in his bed Wednesday morning. It was at first thought that he might have suicided, but the autopsy disclosed the fact that it was purely a case of alcoholism. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, June 17, 1909, issue Marie Vernice Merriman The remains of Marie Vernice Merriman, of Cheney, were brought from that place Tuesday for interment in the Ritzville cemetery. Deceased was the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walker Merriman, of Cheney, and died at Cheney, Sunday, of spinal trouble. The Washington State Journal, Thursday, June 24, 1909, issue Edmund Turtle Drowns Friday "Edmund Turtle is drowned at Mud Lake." This was the sad, sad message that his terror-stricken companions brought to town about 6 o'clock last Friday afternoon. Inquiry from the boys who were with Edmund at the time of the tragedy elicited the following story: "We had been at the lake that afternoon bathing and boating for some time and had decided to start for home. Edmund was anxious to go out in the boat once more and try a sail that we had been trying to adjust and use, but without much success. Our little school fellow made one more trip. The boat capsized and with sad results, all now known. Edmund could not swim, and we were unable to lend him assistance, and were also very much frightened. Hurrying to town and to Moore, we gave the alarm." Dr. Burroughs and others were at the lake within an hour after the boy disappeared from the view of his terror-stricken companions. Earl Colwell succeeded in finding the body in about fourteen feet of water, but Dr. Burroughs was unable to resusitate the lad, he having been in the water about an hour. Edmund Turtle was born at Portland, Oregon, on the 27th day of February, 1896, and was 13 years, 3 months and 22 days old at the time of his death. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Turtle. His mother died eleven years ago at Portland, and Edmund then came to Ritzville, making his home with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson. Three years ago his grandmother died, since which time the little fellow and his grandfather have lived alone. Edmund was far beyond his years in school work. His mind grasped and appreciated the higher things in life, this being evidenced by the fact that he was a member of the M. E. church, Epworth League and Sunday School, this city. Edmund was beloved by all who knew him. Surely home is a sad and lonesome place for grandfather these days. Funeral services were held from the M. E. church Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. The interment did not take place until 10 a.m. Monday, his father wiring that he would arrive Sunday night at 11 o'clock.