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 Journal-Times Thursday, July 3, 1919, issue Eugene Harris Dies In Seattle Word was received here last week of the death of Eugene Harris in Seattle. Death took place June 23, following an operation. Mr. Harris was a court reporter. He had served in this judicial district for several years, but resigned the first of June to go to Seattle and open up a reporting office there. Mr. Harris is survived by his wife. He was a man of about 35 years of age and was born in the South. The Journal-Times Thursday, July 17, 1919, issue Everett Donald Gillis Everett Donald Gillis, son of A. M. Gillis, former county commissioner and prominent farmer near Washtucna, passed away Sunday morning at 11 a.m. at the Walla Walla hospital. He had been ill for two years suffering from diabetes. He had suffered several acute attacks before and his system was unable to throw off the disease. Everett was in his young manhood, having been born April 27, 1896, at Athens, Oregon. In December, 1907, the family removed to this county which has since been the family home. The last few years Everett has been in the employ of the Tum-a-lum Lumber Co., being stationed in the Yakima Valley and in Walla Walla. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock at the Washelli cemetery, Seattle, and the body laid to rest beside that of his mother, who died about two years ago. Dr. Powers conducted the services. The surviving members of the family were present when he passed away. They are, the father, A. M. Gillis, and three brothers, Ralph, Lloyd and Herschel. The Journal-Times Thursday, July 3, 1919, issue Kenneth Comparet Kenneth Comparet, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Comparet of Sunnyside, Wash., passed away last Wednesday, July 23rd, at the family home in Sunnyside. The Comparets formerly lived here, Mrs. Comparet being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Harris. Kenneth, who was 28 years of age, was born in Ritzville. He has been in poor health for many years suffering from heart trouble. Funeral services were held Saturday and burial made at Sunnyside. The Journal-Times Thursday, August 7, 1919, issue Former Resident Killed In Runaway A. T. Kendrick, formerly of Ritzville, but later residing on a farm nine miles south of Grangeville, Idaho, was fatally injured in a runaway accident on the Kendrick farm late Monday afternoon. He was assisting in threshing operations and driving a four horse team of which he lost control. He was thrown from the wagon and one of the wheels passed over his head, crushing the skull. He sustained a broken collar bone and shoulder and other injuries. The accident occurred at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and the victim died at 11 that night. Mr. Kendrick was very well and favorably known in Ritzville and vicinity, having made his home here for a number of years. He was at first connected with the mercantile business with what is now the Ritzville Trading Company, and later was cashier of the First National Bank. He left here about ten years ago, going from here to Spokane. Financial reverses forced him out of Spokane and he located near Grangeville on a farm, where he has since resided. He was an uncle of Chas. Howes of Rattlesnake Flat, and Mr. Howes left immediately for Grangeville upon receipt of word of the accident. He did not arrive however, until after the death of Mr. Kendrick. He is survived by his wife and two grown sons. The funeral will be held in Grangeville in charge of the Masonic lodge. The Journal-Times Thursday, August 21, 1919, issue Death Follows Serious Operation Taps sounded for one who answered his country's call during the late war, last Sunday afternoon and James Allen Smith of Lind passed over to enroll among the great majority. His was a sudden death. A young man in the prime of young manhood, possessing a powerful physical frame, was cut down quickly by the swift workings of a dread disease. He was taken sick about the middle of last week and went to see a doctor who diagnosed his case as appendicitis. He came to Ritzville and underwent an operation at the local hospital Saturday night. The operation revealed a gangrenous condition in the intestines, and it was at once feared that the operation came too late. The young man, vigorous though his constitution was, failed to rally from the shock and throw off the poison which had gone through his system and he passed away Sunday afternoon. He was laid to rest on Monday afternoon at the Ritzville cemetery. Rev. Perdue preached the funeral sermon and six former soldiers acted as pall bearers. James Allen Smith was the son of J. R. and Sarah E. Smith. He was born in Bluejacket, Oklahoma, Mar. 30, 1883, and died in Ritzville Aug. 17, 1919, being 26 years, 4 months and 21 days old. The family first moved to Texas some 20 years ago and to the Inland Empire about 15 years ago. Allen lived at home until of age, being a steady, hard-working boy. Since that time he has been working for himself. He entered the service of his country July 21, 1918, going from Franklin county. He was discharged in January, 1919. He leaves to mourn his death his father and mother and three brothers, George E., Herschel H., and Daniel F., all of Lind. Gun Ends Man's Life Charles William Graham died last evening at 6:30 as the result of a gunshot wound accidently inflicted about 10 a.m. Monday morning over the creek near the Walla Walla ranch. The bullet tore a hole in his intestinal tract and bleeding set in before he could receive surgical attention. He was operated on Monday noon and the hemorrhage was stopped. It was hoped that he would recover but the wound proved too serious and he passed away yesterday evening. The affair promised to be a great mystery for a time, but the mystery vanished into thin air when the pertinent facts were revealed. Graham and a pal who gives his name as Jack Lewis, were together. The story they both told after the accident was that they were tramping from Marengo to Ralston and stopped at the creek and as Graham was stooping over to get a drink a shot came through the brush striking him in the middle of the body, just below the chest. Neither saw any person fire the shot and no one with a gun was seen afterwards. Help was summoned from the Walla Walla ranch close by, and one of the men there drove the wounded man to town in an automobile, Lewis remaining to take his place in the field. But when Graham was placed on the operating table and the clothing removed it was seen that there were powder burns all about the wound, showing that the gun had been discharged at very close range. Graham when told that his story was evidently a fake, refused to give any different account. The sheriff's office and the prosecuting attorney immediately got busy and investigated the situation, believing that either Graham shot himself or that Lewis shot him. Finally Lewis, when confronted with the evidence showing the falsity of his tale, and when cartridges were found on him, stated that the thing was an accident, that Graham had been wearing the gun and it was discharged when he went to take a drink at the creek, either by striking a rock or some other cause. He said he picked up the wounded man and they agreed to tell the story they first told. The gun was hidden in the rushes and the holster thrown in the creek. He went out with Deputy Sheriff Rider Tuesday morning and the gun was found; also the belt. The holster had evidently been carried down the creek. This version was also given by Graham after he came through the operation. The strange thing is that they should have felt under any necessity to make up a tale about the shooting. He was 18 years, 9 months and 16 days old. His mother, Mrs. Bertha Hall, resides at Davenport. She came over Monday, and returned again today with her husband. The body will be taken to Davenport for burial. The gun which was recovered was a .41 calibre Colt's, and the wonder was that Graham was not instantly killed. The Journal-Times Thursday, August 28, 1919, issue E. H. Herring E. H. Herring, a former prominent citizen of this county, passed away at Great Falls, Montana, last Friday. Death was the result of cancer of the liver. He was in poor health all spring. About the middle of May he went to Soap Lake for treatment, returning from there to his home in Great Falls where he grew steadily worse. The word as to the funeral services and interment has not reached here, though it is understood the remains were laid to rest at Great Falls. About 35 years ago Mr. Herring came to this county and homesteaded on a fine tract of land on Rattlesnake Flat. He added to his holdings and at one time was one of the heaviest land owners in the county. Retiring from active farming he came to Ritzville where he engaged in the real estate business for a few years. Three years ago he moved over to Montana where he had extensive land interests and where his sons are located. He is survived by his wife and five children. They are Ralph, Arthur, Harvey, Lettie and Dorothy. Here he leaves many friends of a lifetime who regret his passing. He was up toward 60 years of age. James P. Holland James P. Holland, a brother of A. W. Holland, county agricultural agent, passed away at the Edgecliff sanitarium near Spokane last Sunday. He had been ill for some time with tuberculosis and the end was not unexpected. He made a gallant fight for life, but the disease conquered him in the end. He was born at Appleton City, Mo., Aug. 2, 1893, and had thus attained the age of 26 years at the time of his death. He was the son of Charles J. and Sarah Holland. He grew up in Missouri and was educated in the schools of that state. He became a teacher, but was forced to give that up because of ill health. He spent two yeas in Wyoming and thought he had driven off the disease. He was passed by the draft board but after a short time in the army his health broke down and he was discharged. About July 1 he came to Ritzville to be with his brother. A few weeks ago he was taken to Spokane in hopes that the treatment there would be beneficial, but the end came in a short time. He leaves to mourn his death his father and two sisters, Margaret and Edna, who reside in Missouri, his brother, A. W. here, and two brothers, Earl and Albert in Wyoming. The remains were taken to Wyoming for interment. The Journal-Times Thursday, September 11, 1919, issue Robert Warner Thompson A death unusually sad occurred last Sunday evening on Knob Hill when Robert Warner Thompson, two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Thompson, passed away about 5:30. The child was a victim of diphtheria. He was ill during the first part of the week preceding, suffering with sore throat. As he did not grow better the doctor was called and the case was diagnosed as diphtheria. His heart was weak and the antitoxin treatment was not able to defeat the progress of the disease. The light of the little fellow's life went out in his mother's arms as she was walking with him trying to comfort him. Private funeral services were held Monday afternoon and burial made in the Ritzville cemetery. Robert was born March 15, 1917, at Ritzville. He was youngest of four children. His parents and the other children, Raymond, Jean and Margaret survive to mourn his sudden death. No other cases have developed in the family or in the neighborhood and it is hoped that the disease will not spread. The Journal-Times Thursday, September 18, 1919, issue John Kautz John Kautz, a young farmer residing near Ralston, died Tuesday at the Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane. Funeral services were held here this afternoon from the Philadelphia church, conducted by Rev. j. Morach. He married the youngest daughter of William Clodius who with two children survive him. William Joseph Harter Died, in Portland, Oregon, on August 28 1919, of cancer of the stomach, aged 51 years, 10 months, 28 days. W. J. Harter was born in Iowa, October 1, 1867. He came to Oregon with his parents about 1886 and settled near Portland. He was married in Vancouver, Wash., to Miss Claire P. Morgan, on June 12, 1889. In 1901 he came to Hatton, Wash., and with Mr. Hale started the first blacksmith shop. Later he became manager of the city water works and chop mill, which position he held until his death. He was an earnest member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to the Woodland, Wash., lodge, and later withdrawing to help institute the Hatton lodge No. 181. He was also a member of the Rebekah lodge. He leaves his wife, two daughters, Breta A. and Awilda P. Harter, besides his mother and three brothers to mourn his loss. John Holsey John Holsey was born April 1, 1866, and passed away September 13, 1919. Mr. Holsey had been afflicted with cancer of the face for a year and suffered greatly but patiently under his affliction, but every day of his life was made brighter and happier by the loving care of his faithful wife, who kep constant vigil throughout the long weary months of his terrible malady. Mr. Holsey came west to Idaho in 1889 and on March 16, 1899, was married to Miss Elva Woody at Moscow, Idaho, and resided in that state until 1901, when they moved to the Michigan Prairie neighorhood where they have since resided. Mr. Holsey was a devoted husband, a good friend and a kind neighbor, and to him death was a release from pain and the beginning of a new life. Mrs. James Larmer Mrs. James Larmer passed away at the hospital in Spokane last Monday evening where she was taken the same day for an operation for abdominal trouble. Her death removes a woman who has resided in the Marcellus neighborhood for many years, a faithful and loving wife and mother. The funeral services were held this morning at the M. E. church conducted by Rev. M. J. Perdue. Many relatives and friends were in attendance. Burial was made at the Ritzville cemetery. Emma Sheppard, daughter of Edward and Margaret Sheppard, was born in Ontario, Canada, Feb. 6, 1875, and died in Spokane, Wash., Sept. 15, 1919, being 44 years, 7 months, 9 days old. With her parents, as a child, she came to Minnesota, and later to Washington, where she was married to James R. Larmer, Nov. 5, 1902. To this union were born six children, 4 boys and two girls. Mrs. Larmer was a Christian woman, being a member of the Methodist church. She leaves to mourn her death her husband and four children, Erva, Edward, Anna and Robert, the later being two years old. Two boys, Walter and Arthur, died in infancy. She also leaves a brother, David Sheppard of near Harrington, and a sister, Mrs. J. E. Kendrick. The Larmers have been sadly afflicted. Last winter Mr. Larmer was desperately ill with influenza-pneumonia and now the wife and mother is taken. Several relatives from a distance were present for the funeral. Mrs. Mary C. Buehler Mrs. Mary C. Buehler, a prominent pioneer resident of Ritzville, died suddenly at the home of her daughter at Rocklyn, Wash., Tuesday night, Sept. 1. Her death was wholly unexpected. She had just left Ritzville on the early morning train that day and gone to her daughter's for a visit. Heart failure was the cause of her death. Funeral services will be held at the English Methodist church on Saturday. A fuller account of the life of this worthy woman will appear next week. The Journal-Times Thursday, September 25, 1919, issue E. C. Treadwell E. C. Treadwell, a veteran of the Civil War, passed away at the Old Soldiers' Hospital at Port Orchard yesterday morning. He had been in failing health for many months. Mr. Teadwell was well known here, being the father of A. K. Treadwell, photographer. He had lived here for the past 17 years with the exception of the past few months which he spent in the hospital. Funeral services will be held here tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at the Baptist church, and the remains will be laid in the cemetery beside the body of his wife who preceded him in death nearly four years. Mr. Treadwell was a worthy ciitzen, one who responded to the call of his country in his young manhood, offering himself for the defense of the Union. Throughout his life he has been a devout Christian, a member of the Baptist church. He was always active in G. A. R. post work. One by one the veterans of the Civil War are passing to the grand reunion up above. Comrade Treadwell was born in Maine and was over 70 years of age. He is survived by three sons, A. K. of Ritzville, R. A. of Wenatchee and Rev. C. S. who has been with his father recently ministering to him in his last illness. Patriotic gatherings in Ritzville will hardly be the same with Comrade Treadwell absent, for he has been faithful in such work, and a frequent speaker on subjects of loyalty and devotion to country. He was greatly attached to his family and was very proud of the achievements of his grandchildren who make up the Treadwell orchestra.