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 and Ritzville Times, Thursday, Januar 2, 1913, issue Death Claims Two Pioneer Adams County Women Death of Mrs. Danekas The entire city was greatly shocked when the report was given out Saturday evening at eight thirty o'clock that Mrs. Jurgen Danekas, the wife of one of the pioneers of this county, had died from the effects of taking an anaesthetic, which had been given her preparatory to the setting of a broken arm. Just a short time before her death, Mrs. Danekas with her daughter, Tena, had left her home on College Hill to go down town shopping. When in front of W. H. Martin's home she fell on the sidewalk, breaking her arm near the shoulder. The shock of the fall numbed the arm, and she did not notice any great pain, and consequently came on down to the Ritzville Trading Company and did her shopping. When she had completed her shopping and was ready to go home, the pain in her shoulder increased and she decided to see a doctor. Going across the street, the mother and daughter went up to Dr. Armann's office, where after an examination the break was discovered. Dr. Armann called Mr. Danekas, who was at the barber shop, advising him that his wife had just met with a severe accident. Upon returning from the barber shop, Dr. Armann made preparations for administering the chloroform, also he had examined Mrs. Danekas' heart and found it to be normal to all appearances. When the doctor arrived Mrs. Danekas was in such pain that she asked to be given something to relieve the pain, and immediately Dr. Johnston began to administer the anaesthetic, having been advised that examination had already been made, and that the heart beat was eighty, and apparently normal. By the time two teaspoonfuls had been given, Dr. Armann had set the break in the bone, which was of severe nature, requiring a great deal of strength, and was beginning to wrap the arm in cotton, when the mask was removed. A few moments had elapsed, with everything seemingly normal, when a sudden gasp from Mrs. Danekas told the physicians something was wrong. Restoratives, which were near at hand, were immediately administered, but of no avai. Mr. Danekas went out and called Dr. Hewit to assist in the resuscitation but when he came he saw that it was too late - she was dead. After thirty minutes the body was removed to the family residence. The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday at one o'clock, at which the immediate relatives and a few friends were present. At two o'clock the funeral services were conducted at the German Congregational church, with Rev. Eggerland preaching the funeral sermon to probably the largest gathering of sorrowing relatives and friends ever held in Ritzville. The body was interred in the cemetery just west of town. So widely known was Mrs. Danekas in this community that Mayor Gilson issued a request that the merchants close their stores between one and three o'clock, the time of the funeral. Mrs. Marguerite Magdalena Danekas, the wife of Jurgen Danekas, was born in Germany October 12, 1861. At the time of her death she was 51 years, 2 months and 16 days old. Her maiden name was Vehrs. Coming to this country while she was yet young, the family settled in Illnois, where she was married to Jurgen Danekas at Minonk, Illinois, thirty one years ago. Among the early settlers of Adams county was Mr. Danekas and family, coming here twenty-five years ago, and settling three miles southwest of Ritzville. For almost twenty years they worked and save, and made themselves a pleasant home amid the host of friends which are today sorrowing over her untimely death. Six years ago Mr. Danekas moved to town, occupying a beautiful home on College Hill. Mrs. Danekas early united with the church and has always been a consistent worker in it. She is survived by her husband and four children, three boys and one girl, all of whom live in this county. William, the oldest son, farms the old home place three miles from town; Henry, the second, lives on the farm known as the old Dan Scott farm; John, the youngest son, and Tena, the only daughter, live at home here in Ritzville. Besides these relatives, Mrs. Danekas leaves her only brother, John Vehrs, who also lives near here, and a host of friends, which is limited only by the extent of her acquaintance. As a mother, she was ever thoughful and sacrificing; as a wife, she was faithful and companionable; as a friend, she was sincere and abiding, and as a Christian, she was reverent and hopeful. In her passing the community loses one who for years had been a factor in developing it into a community in which "home" is a sacred word. And as the wife and mother has moved into that realm where serenity and peace forever abide, she leaves behind her the memories of a life that points to a higher and nobler field of usefulness. Death of Mrs. Wertemberger Mrs. Lizzie Wertemberger, wife of Jacob Wertemberger, died at her home near Ritzville Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, December 28, 1912. Her death came as a shock to her family and friends. About a week previous to her death she had been in town, but had complained of rheumatism in her back. She grew gradually worse, and suffered intense pain until her death. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Thiel Sr., of Ritzville. She was joined in marriage to Mr. Jacob Wertemberger November 19, 1895. Six children were born to them, one of which died in infancy. She leaves to mourn her early departure, her sorrowing husband, four sons and one daughter, besides her parents, six brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Wertemberger's age at the time of her death was 37 years, 8 months and 27 days. The funeral services were held at the First German Congregational church, 4 miles west of Ritzville, conducted by Rev. E. Eggerland, and the remains were laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. Fred Bickford HATTON -Fred Bickford, aged 4 years and 3 months, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Bickford, on Michigan Prairie, at 10:30 o'clock a.m., December 25th, 1912. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 9, 1913, issue Dr. Bice's Father Dies Dr. Bice received word Sunday that his father had died in California. Dr. Bice had just returned from California where he had been called on account of the serious illness of his father. He left his father's bedside last Wednesday, and the death occurred Friday night. Because he was delayed two days in Portland he did not learn of the death of his father until his return here Sunday. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 26, 1913, issue P. Fleming LIND - The remains of P. Fleming, who met death in a brutal manner, at the hands of parties unknown, in the Milwaukee yards at Othello on the night of December 23, 1912, were buried in the Lind cemetery on Thursday of last week. Coroner McCaffery having held the body for identification as long as he thought advisable. No clue to his identity or from whence he came ws obtainable further than the employment slip found upon his person bearing the name P. Fleming. While from circumstantial evidence it is thought that the two negroes who robbed the Othello post office on the same night were the perpetrators of the deed. No evidence has been brought to light which is of sufficient weight to ensure their conviction on the charge. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, March 27, 1913, issue Probate The estate of Myrtle A. Linn is being probated. The petition for letters of administration were filed. She died on March 18, 1913, in Cunningham, Washington. She left surviving her two sons and a daughter living in Cunningham who are the only heirs to her estate. Joseph C. Linn, her divorced husband, made the petition and asks that letters of administration be issued to him.