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, April 10, 1913, issue Richard E. McGregor WASHTUCNA - Richard E. McGregor, age 25, a young man employed with a bridge crew repairing the O. W. R. & N. railway bridge near Hooper, Wednesday accidently fell into the Palouse river and was drowned. In his descent his head struck a projection and it is supposed the blow rendered him unconscious. The river makes a sharp bend just at this point, and it is said that even a poor swimmer could gain the land. The body reappeared but once after falling and then all trace of it was lost. A searching party was at once sent out, but up until last evening the remains had not been discovered. Owing to the high water in the river it is feared that the body may be carried to the Snake and never found. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, April 17, 1913, issue Elizabeth Mosby Frank Perkins was called to Spokane yesterday on account of the death of his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Mosby, who, while enroute from Kansas City to make an extended visit with her daughter in Ritzville, became ill and had to stop in Spokane. The trip, which is the third she had made west, was accomplished with seeming ease until a short time before she reached Spokane, when a cold was contracted. Mrs. J. H. Perkins, her daughter, went up to Spokane last week to meet her mother, and remained with her until the end. The remains left this morning, accompanied by Frank, for the old home at Kansas City. Frank will make a short visit with relatives before returning. Aaron Strouse PAHA - Aaron Strouse died at his home here Friday morning at 4 o'clock, after a long illness. He was 66 years and 18 days of age, born at Elmira, New York, and has been a resident of Washington twelve years. His death is mourned by his widow, two sons, one in New Jersey, and the other in South Dakota, three step-daughters, besides a host of friends. The funeral services were held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock by Rev. Mr. Gailey of Ritzville, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery south of town. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, April 24, 1913, issue Death Claims Earl Shepley The death of little Earl, the 8-year old son of F. B. Shepley and wife, came as quite a surprise on last Monday morning at ten o'clock. While the little fellow had never been in good health, he was as well as usual until just a day or two before his death, when his heart began to bother him. The doctor was called in on Saturday night when it was noticed that he was in a serious condition, but on account of heart weakness, Earl could not stand a stimulant of sufficient strength to aid him much. Funeral services were held this afternoon at the home at 3 o'clock, Rev. Hutton officiating. Many friends of the family were in attendance and the sympathy of the entire community is with Mr. and Mrs. Shepley and Eugene in their bereavement. Little Earl was born in Ritzville, August 20, 1904. Since his babyhood he has suffered from enemia, and being unable to take any solid food, his constitution was necessarily week. He attended school part of two terms and was very bright in his studies. Every one who knew him admired him for his manly and affable disposition. Richard E. McGregor The body of Richard E. McGregor, the young man who was drowned April 2, by falling from the O.W. R. & N. railway bridge near Hooper, was found Friday afernoon of last week in the Palouse river about a mile above Palouse Falls lodged against a mass of driftwood. Mrs. James P. Conner Mrs. James P. Conner, sister-in-law to James Conner of Lind, died at the home of her father in Springfield, Missouri, on the 6th inst. Mrs. Conner will be remembered by her many friends in Lind, she having been a resident here for many years. She leaves a husband and one son, Clarence Ball. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, May 1,1913, issue George Stoops Dies George Stoops, one of the well known residents of this place, died at his home yesterday morning after a lingering illness of many months. Mr. Stoops was 68 years old and is survived by a wife and five children. He haslived in this city for the past 13 years. The surviving children are John Stoops, Sam Stoops, George Stoops, Earl Stoops, and Mrs. John Johnson. Arrangements for the funeral services have not been made at the time of going to press. R. H. Riley, Ritzville Section Foreman Commits Suicide The shocking news that some time during Tuesday night R. H. Riley had committed suicide by shooting himself through the right temple, spread like wildfire through the city early Wednesday morning. Since his wife and twelve year old son went east, for three months, Mr. Riley had been living in the section house, which is located about 100 feet down the tracks from the C street crossing. Mr. Riley was a member in good standing in three fraternal organizations - the Masonic, Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. The funeral services will probaby he held today or tomorrow under the auspices of the lodges. Mrs. Riley was telegraphed of the death of her husband, and during the day two wires were received from her, the first asking for particulars and the second stating she was ill and might have to undergo an operation and for Mr. Riley to be buried by the Masonic order. While funeral arrangements have not been completed it is probable that the body will be shipped to Cheney tomorrow where it will be buried under the auspices of the Masonic lodge of which he was a member. Mr. Riley had been in the employ of the Northern Pacific for over twelve years and was one of their most capable foremen. At different times he was in charge of crews at Coulee City, Cheney and for the past two and one half years he has had charge of one of the sections working out of Ritzville. He was generally liked by the men, and while a little trouble with one fellow several months ago was thought by some to have attributed to his despondency, this theory is not generally supposed to have been the most important cause for the act. Womach Infant Last Sunday morning the two months old infant daughter of L. N. Womach died from inflammation of the bowels. Funeral was held on Tuesday. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, May 22, 1913, issue Pioneer Resident Dies Mrs. Margareta Burfeind for the past twenty-four years a resident of Ritzville and vicinity, died at her home here Monday afternoon. The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon following which burial took place at the German Lutheran cemetery near town. Mrs. Burfeind was born in Hanover, Germany, June 28, 1838, and she was married to Jacob Burfeind 45 years ago. In the year 1881 the couple emigrated to America and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. After living there for a year they moved to Minnesota, where they remained but a short time, after which they went to North Dakota. It was there that Mr. Burfeind died in 1885. Five children were born to the couple, only one of them, Mrs. J. C. Gillett of this city, is still living. At the time of her death Mrs. Burfeind was 75 years old. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, June 9, 1913, issue Pioneer Dies G. J. DeWald, who for over twenty-two years has been a resident of this county, died at the home of his son, Jacob DeWald, last night. Though Mr. DeWald was seventy-eight years of age, he had been in reasonably good health until three days ago, when he became ill, having some stomach trouble. Little anxiety was felt for him until yesterday when he became weaker. When the end came he passed away with little pain. Born in Russia, Mr. DeWald came to this country years ago, and was a successful farmer in Adams county for many years. About ten years ago he moved to Ritzville, and has since resided here. About a year ago his wife died, and since that time he as lived with his son, Jacob. He is survived by five children, three sons and two daughters, viz: George, who lives at Coeur d'Alene; Jacob, who resides in this place; John, a farmer living in the country near Ritzville; Mrs. Fred Kemble, and Mrs. C. C. Schafer, both of whom reside here. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock, at the German Methodist church, of which Mr. DeWald was for many years a member.