Adams County,  Ritzville, WA  

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The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue

Another Lady Pioneer Gone
	Once again we are called upon in our line of duty to chronicle the death of another of
our pioneer ladies, Mrs. E. E. Snook, who departed this life on Friday, July 10th, at 10:15 o'clock,
the immediate cause of her death being the incurable disease, cancer.
	Mrs. Snook had been in poor health for a long time and early in the summer she was taken
to North Yakima for treatment, which, however, was of no avail and on last Thursday morning,  
realizing that the end was approaching, she was brought to her home in this city, where, on the
following day she received the summons to her home beyond the river.
	Mrs. Snook was born in Clinton county, Penn., on August 22nd, 1861; was married to Elmer
E. Snook on May 14th, 1883. In 1888 they came west, settling on land in Adams county at a time
when there nearest neighbor was 5 miles away. They moved to Ritzville in 1898, and have since
been residents of this city.
	Mrs. Snook joined the Dunkard church at the age of 16 years, and held steadfast to the
teachings of that faith until the time of her death.
	Funeral services were held Sunday, July 12th, at the M. E. church in this city, Rev. R. A.
Gailey officiating. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery.
	Mrs. Snook was a loving wife, a good Christian and always met with outstretched hand and
kind words of comfort those in adversity and tried to point their footsteps in the rosestrewn
pathway to God. She was beloved by a wide circle of friends and will be sadly missed by all.

Amos Towers Passes Away
	Amos, the oldest son of J. A. Towers, died at the Ritzville Hospital early Wednesday morning,
having been ill but a few days.
	Mr. Towers had been ailing from an attack of appendicitis, and a few days ago was operated upon,
and the appendix was in such condition that the operation, while very difficult, was supposed to
have been successful. The patient rallied, and was thought to be on the road to recovery, but on
Tuesday night he became worse and was under the constant care of the physician the greater part of
the night, but the ordeal was too great to withstand and about twenty minutes to five Wednesday
morning he gave up the battle, and passed to the great beyond.
	Mr. Towers was born November 23, 1885, in Lawrence county, Missouri. He moved to the Coast
in 1903, coming to Ritzville where he resided up the time of his death. He had been in the employ
of the Ritzville Milling company for eight years, and was one of their most trusted employees, and
his sudden taking away will be greatly felt both by the management of the mill and his fellow employees.
	Of a quiet, unassuming disposition, Amos Towers had made many friends in and around Ritzville,
and we doubt not that the taking away of the young man will be as deeply felt as any one of our
citizens. He was a good friend and companion, always meeting you with a pleasant word or smile, and
held the respect and esteem of all who were fortunate enough to know the young man and appreciate
his sterling worth.
	He leaves behind him his father, J. A. Towers, one brother, Andrew, two sisters, Leona and
Bessie, to mourn his departure.
	He was a member of the Masonic lodge, who will have charge of the funeral arrangements,  
which will be at 2 p.m. today at the house. Interment will be in the Ritzville cemetery.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, July 30, 1914, issue

Aged Lady Passes Away
	Mrs. Elizabeth Wackerling, the aged mother of Mrs. Rev. Morach, died at the home of Rev.
Morach on Wednesday at noon. Mrs. Wackerling was 71 years of age and was born in Switzerland in
1843. The cause of her death was attributed to old age.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, August 6, 1914, issue

Two Drown In Wall Lake
	Word was brought to Ritzville early Monday morning of the drowning of two young men in
Wall Lake, this county, on Sunday, the 2nd.
	The victims of this sad affair are Lawrence Cleon Robinson of Lantz, and Edward Lewis, of
Lewiston, Idaho. Cleon Robinson was a son of J. Otis Robinson, postmaster at Lantz, and one of the
pioneers of Adams county.
	Edward Lewis, aged 21, was the support of his widowed mother.
	Cleon Robinson was born on the 7th day of November 1887, at Stauffer, Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, and 26 years, 8 months and 27 days old at the time of his death.
	Deceased was a member of the Moose lodge at Lewiston, Idaho, and of the Methodist church
at Ritzville. Funeral services were held from this church at 11 o'clock Wednesday, and were conducted
by Rev. R. A. Gailey, pastor.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, August 13, 1914, issue

Conrad Dietz Dies
	Conrad Dietz of this place, died Monday on the N. P. train while enroute to Spokane for
an operation.
	Mr. Dietz submitted to an operation about a year ago. He had been in the employ of the
Ritzville Milling company for some years past.
	He leaves a wife and two children. Death has been most unkind to the Milling company force
the past summer, Mr. Dietz being the second to be taken, Amos Towers the first.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, August 20, 1914, issue

John Helme Dies In Illinois
	Death claimed another former resident of the Washtucna country when John Helme died Tuesday
at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Elmer Ator at Pittsfield, Illinois. Mr. Helme had been failing
for some time and death was not unexpected. Relatives here received a message Tuesday that his
condition was serious and another soon followed announcing his death. He lived to the age of 94
years and was a grand old man.
	Mr. Helme was born in England and came to the United States when young, the voyage being
made in a sailing vessel. He settled in Illinois where he resided many years and reared a large
family. He is survived by seven children, four daughters and three sons. They are J. A. Helme of
Ritzville, M. E. Helme of Long Beach, California, J. S. Helme of Sunnyside, Mrs. Robert West of
Ritzville, Mrs. Charles Mays of this place and Mrs. Elmer Ator and Mrs. A. V. Wills of Pittsfield,
Illinois. He also has many grandchildren and great grandchildren and other relatives residing here.
	When comparatively an old man he met with reverses and lost a large fortune he had accumulated
in Illinois. But his aggressive spirit remained. He came to Washington about eighteen years ago, settled
in Adams county and succeeded in again becoming wealthy and remained so until his death. He returned
to Illinois about three years ago and since that time has resided with his daughter.
	He was a member of the Masonic order and had attained the highest degrees. His funeral was
conducted by members of the order. Interment was made at Pittsfield.

Body of Sullivan Found In Old Well
	SPRAGUE, Aug. 16-The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Mike Sullivan, a well-known
homesteader living four miles south of here, was cleared up late yesterday when his body was found
in an old well on the Hank Renard ranch. Sullivan had been employed as a harvest hand on the Pete Fay
farm, and about 10 o'clock he left the bunkhouse, carrying his shoes in his hand. When he failed to
appear for work the next morning Fay started an investigation. Parties were organized and the whole
country north of Sprague was searched, but no trace of sullivan could be found.
	The authorities in Sprague were notified and Marshal Sam Myers organized new searching parties
and sent them in every direction from the Fay farm. Late in the afternoon the tankman with the
Renard threshing outfit drove to an old well and by the side of the well he found a hat, coat and
jumper. These he recognized as the property of Sullivan. Sullivan's body was found in the well. The
condition of the body indicated that it must have been in the well for at least 48 hours. The coroner's
inquest, conducted by Deputy Joe Gerand, found no marks of violence, so the jury returned a verdict
of suicide. The body was brought to Sprague for burial. Sullivan has lived in and near Sprague for
many years and there is no known cause why he should take his life. The widow and two small children
survive.

Oneatea Whitman
	Oneatea, daughter of L. C. and Gertie Whitman, aged 2 years, 7 months and 14 days died August
10th.  
	Oneatea was a bright and amiable child, the only one of her parents, and so lovely that it
seemd impossible for her to die so early. Oneata was born and lived in Cunningham, Wash. When taken
sick she was brought to Ritzville, to the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. F. Caldwell, where kind hands
gave her the best of care, but after one week's suffering she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.
	On Tuesday, August 11th, at 10 o'clock, funeral services were held in the Baptist church
in Ritzville, conducted by Rev. Gailey. Her body was laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, August 27, 1914, issue

Martin Schluter, Pioneer, Passes Away
	The funeral of Martin Schluter, who died Friday, took place Sunday, one service being held
at his home on College Hill and one at the Lutheran church, the Rev. H. E. Wittrock, pastor, officiating,
assisted by his son, the Rev. Wittrock of Lind. Many who came could not gain admission to the  
church.
	Martin Schluter was born in Wilmandorf, Germany, Oct. 20, 1842. He came to America in 1872,
and went to the state of Michigan. In April, 1874, he was married to Adelhide Louisa Ellmann. They
lived on a farm in Michigan until 1888. Five children were born to the union, two boys and three
girls, one girl dying in infancy. In 1888 he moved to Washington with his family and settled on a
homestead about 20 miles northwest of Ritzville, where they resided until in 1903, when he retired
and moved to Ritzville, where he resided until the time of death. He was 71 years, 10 months and one
day old. The surviving members of his family are his widow, two sons and two daughters.
	Mr. Schluter was widely known and respected in this community and will be greatly missed
by the older residents of Adams county.

Mrs. McMillan Is Dead
	Word was received Monday of the death of Mrs. Rosina McMillan. Mrs. McMillan was injured
by her former husband at Lind about six weeks ago when he entered her room in the night, having  
with him a gun. A scuffle which followed resulted in a broken arm and many bruises on the body of
Mrs. McMillan. Her former husband then turned the gun on himself and inflicted a wound on his
head. He is a the local hospital and it is not believed that he can recover.

The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, September 24, 1914, issue

Mrs. Adam Heimbigner Dies
	Mary K. Heimbigner, wife of Adam Heimbigner, died September 18, in Walla Walla, where
she had undergone an operation.
	Mrs. Heimbigner was born in North Russia, June 5, 1887, coming to this country when a girl.
She was married to Adam Heimbigner 11 years ago, and they have been residents of Adams county for
a number of years.
	Four small children, besides the husband, survive the mother.
	The remains were brought to Ritzville for burial, the Rev. Morach preaching the funeral
service Sunday at 12 o'clock.