Adams County,  Ritzville, WA  

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The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, July 10, 1913, issue

Death of Little Harry Booth
	A death which has left an empty place in the hearts of fond parents and has caused a
shock to the community occurred Monday night at 6 o'clock, when little Harry Booth, the three
and a half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Booth passed away. The cause was attributed to
tubercular meningitis and the little fellow was sick but a day. Three physicians were in
attendance, but their efforts to save the little fellow were of no avail.
	Mr. Booth and his family have been here only about five weeks. He is a sewing machine  
salesman, connected with the A. G. Mason Manufacturing company of Cincinnati. During the time
the family has been here Harry attracted a great deal of attention around the Adams house, where
they were staying. He was a bright, good-natured little fellow, who made friends readily, and his
"I like you" was heard a good deal more frequently than "I don't like you." It was a wonder that  
he "liked" anybody, he was teased so much, but people like to play with him, and he was always
the center of attention.
	His mother had attended church with him Sunday morning, following which he complained of
his neck hurting, and he asked his mother to rub it for him. His condition suddenly became more
serious and quickly Drs. Arman, Bice and Johnston were summoned. When everything had been done
for him that human hands could do he passed away Sunday evening.
	He was buried Wednesday afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Gailey of the M. E. church preaching the
funeral sermon. Many beautiful floral offerings were heaped upon the little casket as evidence
of the sympathy which the townspeople feel for the sorrowing parents.
	Mr. and Mrs. Booth make their home in Snyder, Texas, where Harry was born.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, July 24, 1913, issue

Boy Loses Life While Harvesting
	A distressing accident occurred at the farm of John Kramer, 13 miles west of Ritzville,
last Saturday evening.
	John Paul, the 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, was punching header about 7 o'clock
last Saturday evening, when the header ran into a coulee, causing the boy to be thrown into the
cylinder. He died soon after from the injuries received in the accident.
	Dr. C. W. Bice of this place was summoned. He rushed to the Kramer home in his automobile
but the boy only lived about 15 minutes after his arrival. The boy's right leg was badly crushed
and his neck was severely cut.
	The little fellow was buried at Lind Sunday afternoon.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, July 31, 1913, issue

Mrs. Henry Richter Dies Suddenly of Heart Trouble
	Mrs. Lena Richter, one of the well known and respected ladies of this city, died very
suddenly at her home in this city Monday morning about 8 o'clock. At 7 o'clock she was taken
seriously ill and Dr. Burroughs was summoned. In an hour she was dead. The cause is attributed
by the physician to heart failure. Her death comes as a shock to the community, as she had been
enjoying good health and no one suspected her untimely demise. The funeral services were preached
in the German Congregational church in this city Wednesday at 1 o'clock by the Rev. J. Morach and
the burial took place in the cemetery west of town.
	Mrs. Richter was born in South Russia 56 years ago. In 1876 she and Henry Richter, who
survives her, were married. Two years later they emigrated to this country and settled in Cleveland,
Ohio. They moved to Ritzville eight years ago, since which time Mr. Richter has conducted the feed
yard across the street from the postoffice.
	Five children were born to the couple, of whom four are still living. Will Richter, one of
the sons, lives in this county, Henry lives in Canada, and John and Mrs. Guether, a daughter, live
in American Falls, Idaho. All of the children except Henry were present at the funeral. As yet no
word has been received from him, and it is not known whether he is aware of his mother's death.
	Mrs. Katherine Richter, a sister of the deceased, who makes her home in Canby, Ore., was
also present at the funeral.
	A large gathering of friends were in attendance at the funeral, showing the high esteem
in which Mrs. Richter was held by those who knew her.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, September 11, 1913, issue

Mrs. Ida M. DeSpain, Pioneer Resident of Adams County, Dies
	On last Saturday night, after having retired in her usual health, Mrs. Ida M. DeSpain became
ill about midnight and within a short time died. Death was due to a hemorrhage of the lungs. While  
having been somewhat weak for a long time, Mrs. Despain was around doing her work. On last Saturday
she had a fainting spell early in the evening, but as these were more or less frequent no danger
was anticipated. She retired about 11 o'clock and soon fell asleep. Mr. DeSpain was awakened about
two o'clock by hearing his wife breathing rather hard, but when he attempted to arouse her she
appeared to be unconscious. Calling Mrs. Stuart, the two tried to arouse her, and finding their
effort futile, the doctor was called, but by the time he arrived she was dead.
	The three children were called home at once in order to attend the funeral, which was held
on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Hutton of the Congregational church preached the funeral sermon. Many
friends and relatives were in attendance. Interment took place at the cemetery west of town.
	Mrs. Ida Margaret DeSpain, formerly Miss Tuttle, was born on a farm back in the state of
Pennsylvania, September 2, 1860. She lived there until she was grown, and preparing herself for a
teacher, she came west, settling here in Adams county twenty-nine years ago. She was employed to
teach the first district school in this county, and began her work here in Ritzville in the fall of
1884. Among her pupils who have lived here in this county since that time are Jesse Harris, Claud
Harris, Mrs. E. D. Gilson, Mrs. W. W. Zent, and Daniel, Charles and Mark Sinclair.
	In 1885, the deceased married W. F. DeSpain and they then moved to a homestead out in the
northwest part of the county, where they lived for about eight years. To them were born three children,
O. J. DeSpain who lives at present in Sylverton, Oregon; Mrs. Claire DeSpain Clark, of Malden, and
Harry, who is at present in the employ of the county on the state road near Washtucna.
	Mrs. DeSpain was a member of the Congregational church of this city and was one of the charter
members of the Ladies' Aid Society of that church. She was also one of the oldest resident members of
the Maccabee lodge, having been instrumental in its organization years ago. During the past few years
she has been kept rather close at home on accounct of lameness in the ankles.
	Affable in disposition, and loving her home, Mrs. DeSpain created during her life a large
circle of friends who now mourn her loss. The friends and neighbors, who through years of intimate
acquaintance with her, feel keenly the loss of this good woman, and sympathize with the family in
their sorrow. Through death has stilled the hand that ministered to the wants of those who loved
her, the silent influence of the wife, mother and friend, will be a sweet benizon to those who feel
most keenly the place she occupied in their hearts and affections.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, September 18, 1913, issue

O. R. Haight Dead
	Orrin R. Haight was born on the 22nd day of February, 1859, at Green county, New York, and
was one of the two sons born to Jacob and Margaret Haight.
	The Haight family continued to reside at Mr. Haight's birthplace until he was nine years of
age, when they removed to Osage, Iowa, in 1868. Here they continued to reside until 23 years ago
when O. R. Haight and family moved to Ritzville.
	On the 13th day of August, 1884, Mr. Haight was united in marriage at Osage, Iowa, to his
now bereaved wife. The fruit of this union was three sons and one daughter. The sons are Ray, now
residing in Douglas county, Wash.; Miles, of this place; Lloyd, a student at Salem, Oregon, and Gail,
at home.
	Deceased was a jeweler by trade, and conducted that business, together with furniture and
harness lines, until a few years ago, when he opened an undertaking establishment here. Mr. Haight
built the structure now occuped by the Fair Store, and the one leased by the S. S. Frantz Company.
	Mr. Haight was all his life a devoted Christian man, and all his years in Ritzville one
of the leading members of the M. E. church. He was public spirited, generous, and in all movements
for the up-life of society, and unrelenting foe of the saloon and its effects.
	He had not been long ill, and when he went to Seattle a few weeks ago to consult a noted
surgeon, it was not thought his malady was fatal. It developed, however, that his complaint was
cancer, and that death was only a matter of weeks.
	The grim messenger came on Friday, the 12th inst., at 6:30 in the afternoon. Funeral services
were held in the M. E. church, Saturday at 2 p.m. being conducted by his pastor, Rev. R. A. Gailey.
The interment was at Kent, Washington, this being his request. Rev. Gailey accompanied the family
to Kent. A good man has gone to his reward. Peace to his ashes.

F. W. Watkins
	WASHTUCNA - F. W. Watkins, father of Mrs. Cyril Williams of this place, died Sunday in a
hospital in Spokane. Mr. Watkins came here last spring from Winnipeg to visit his daughter and
family. He had been in ill health for several years and thought the change of climate might improve
his condition. About a month ago he suffered partial paralysis and gradually grew worse. He was
taken to the hospital at Spokane, but continued to sink and Saturday Mrs. Williams was advised that
he was near death. Mrs. Williams accompanied the body to his old home in Canada for interment. It
was the intention of the Williams family to move to Canada this fall and she will likely remain
there. Mr. Williams, who went to Spokane Sunday, returned yesterday to Washtucna.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, September 25, 1913, issue

Little Vehrs Girl Meets Death In Fire
	The entire community was greatly shocked when on last Thursday evening the news was sent
broadcast that a fire had not only destroyed the large barn of Hans Vehrs, who lives about three
miles south of here, but had also burned his little five year old daughter so badly that she died
that evening. Mr. and Mrs. Vehrs had left the house about five o'clock for the field a half mile
distant from the house, where they were loading wheat onto the wagon. Mr. Vehrs noticed smoke
coming from the direction of the house, and rushed with all his might to his home. When he got
there the barn was in flames and the little three year old daughter was standing in the yard
watching it. Asking where Violet was, the little girl said she had run into the house and that
her apron was on fire. Before going into the house, Mr. Vehrs noticed the little two year old
baby sitting in a buggy near the barn, and had he not removed it when he did it too, would have
been burnt to death in another minute or two. Mr. Vehrs then rushed to the house and there he
beheld to his horror his little girl standing on the porch without a stitch of clothing on her,
with her body burnt to a crisp from her knees to her chin, even the braid of her hair being mostly
burned off. Just at this time Mrs. Vehrs arrived home, and as she saw the child standing, not even
whimpering for the burn was so severed that it destroyed the sense of pain, she asked her what
she had done. In answer Violet said, "Played with matches, mamma." Dr. Armann was immediately
called but when he got there all he could do was to administer opiates to relive the pain which
had begun.
	During the three hours between the time of the accident and the death of the little girl,
she was conscious all the time up to within three or four minutes of the last. When they saw that
she must go, the mother told the little girl that she would soon be with Jesus. Calling for a drink
of water, little Violet said, "Mamma, I want to go to Jesus," and in a few moments her little life
had departed.
	It is not known where the child obtained the matches as they were kept out of reach of the
children, but after obtaining them she went down to the barn and began playing with them. Mr. Vehrs
said that she had probably seen her mother or him burning the weeds in the early summer and liked
to see the flame. Aside from the barn being full of hay, which was all lost, a good mare, a colt
and a calf were burned.
	The funeral services over the remains of the child were held at the German Congregational
church, Rev. Eggerland, officiating. Interment was made in the cemetery just west of town.

Mrs. Asa McCann Dies Suddenly
	For the second time within the past month death has come suddenly to the homes of pioneers
of this county. On yesterday morning while in the kitchen doing her morning work, and feeling quite
well, Mrs. Asa McCann walked over to the sink, and reeling over, just uttered the words, "I'm dying,"
and within a few moments was dead. The cause assigned was heart failure. While Mrs. McCann was a  
rather large and robust woman, her health at times was considered poor, but of late she was in  
unusually good health. The previous evening she had been down town and attended the show, and stopped
in at the ice cream parlor with her daughters. She was expecting to go to Walla Walla last evening
on the six thirty-five train. On account of the trip she had arised early in the morning and had
noticed a little fluttering of her heart, but as she was subject to these spells she did not worry
over it much. Shortly after nine o'clock she had returned from her daughter's house nearby and was in  
the kitchen attending to her household duties. Mr. McCann was just in the act of churning, and had
just gone into the pantry when his wife staggered and fell. She was caught by her daughter, Idell.
In a moment or two it was seen that the mother was past help. The funeral service will be held at
the Methodist church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Gailey will preach the sermon.
	Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth McCann was born at Lloyd, Wisconsin, on June 7, 1860. At the time of
her death she was 53 years, 3 months and 17 days old. On May 11, 1883, she married Asa McCann, and
to this union seven children were born, two sons and five daughters, all of whom survive. The children
are Mrs. Maude Plunkett of Seattle; Mrs. Ada Foley of Ritzville; Mrs. Anna Haight of Palasades, Wash.;
Fred, Walter, Idell and Josie McCann, all of whom lived at home.
	Mrs. McCann has been a member of the Methodist church for years. She had many friends in
this community who will greatly miss her. While all who knew her respected her, it will be within
the home circle that the irreperable loss will be felt most keenly.