Adams County,  Ritzville, WA 

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The Journal-Times Thursday, July 19, 1923 issue

Veteran And Pioneer Summoned By Death
	J. M. Harris, grand old man of Ritzville, passed away at his home here at two o'clock
Wednesday morning. Mr. Harris had been in failing health for some weeks. His heart bothered him
and he had to spend much of his time sitting in a chair. He was given most faithful care and 
attention by his wife, who night and day ministered to him with rare devotion. He was conscious
up to the last, death coming suddenly as he was being helped back to bed after sitting for a time
in his chair.
	The death of Mr. Harris removed one of the founders of Ritzville. He broke the first furrow
in the Ritzville neighborhood, built the first houses and pioneered in the development of this
community. Crossing the plains by wagon in 1877 the family came to Walla Walla. Philip Ritz then
had extensive land holdings in this vicinity, then a portion of Whitman county. Mr. Ritz interested
Mr. Harris in this country and in 1878 he came up here and built a house or shack on Mr. Ritz' land.
The shack was located a little west of the present town, toward the Hauschild place. In 1879 Mr.
Harris and the late J. G. Bennett came up from Walla Walla and broke out some of Mr. Ritz' land
and sowed it to wheat. The squirrels ate the grain so that no crop grew. Believing the country had
a future Mr. Harris decided to cast his lot with it. He came to Ritzville in the spring of 1880 and
located a timber culture which included the prominent butte now owned by Marcus Thom adjoining the
fair grounds. All the same time the Bennett family came up from Walla Walla and took up their
homestead later known as Woodland Heights. The William McKay family also came. Mr. Harris had material
for a house. As his family was not coming till fall so the children could remain in Walla Walla
for school, he agreed with Mr. McKay that if he would help build the house the McKays could occupy
it till fall. This was done and the house was built at the foot of the butte, about where the 
present Thom house stands. It was located there because a well had been dug in the coulee and water
found.
	In the preceeding fall, however, T. Keller had built a house near the same place to be near
the water, but in the spring he tore it down and moved it out to his ranch. In the fall of 1880 Mrs.
Harris and the children came to their new home. Mr. McKay then built a house in what is nearer the
center of town now, which he ran as a hotel for some time.
	This was the feeble beginnings of the town of Ritzville. Their trading place was Walla Walla
and twice a year Mr. Harris made the long trip by wagon over the Mullan Trail to Walla Walla. Mail
was brought along this way from Walla Walla to the Spokane country.
	In 1880 there was no railroad here but the Northern Pacific had established surveys through
this place. In 1881 construction crews arrived. Mr. Ritz had the contract for grading a portion of
the road through here. In 1883 the golden spike was driven in Montana and Ritzville was then on the
main line of a transcontinental railway. The future growth of this community came through the 
settlement of the country and the transformation of land from open range to wheat cultivation.
	Mr. Harris sold his land in 1887 to J. H. Spanier and moved farther out on some land which
he bought, leasing in addition a school section. Squirrels and drouth made farming a hazardous
occupation in those days so in 1890 Mr. Harris moved back to Ritzville and established himself in
the livery business. The old Harris barn stood at the present site of the Harris Bros. garage. He
sold the business to his sons, J. R. and C. A. and later engaged in the implement business with his
son-in-law, J. M. Comparet, which later was merged into the King Mercantile Co. Mr. Harris retired
from active business in 1887. He has made his home here pleasantly through his declining years,
highly esteemed, surrounded by his life-long friends and by his children and grandchildren. His
body retained its vigor until within very recent years; and he was alert in mind and cheerful in
disposition, possessing a kindly humor that endeared him to all. As a pioneer horseman he was always
honored on the occasion of the Ritzville Horse Show. Until failing health prevent he would drive a
fine horse or team in the Horse Show parades.
	The life of Mr. Harris covers a great span in our country's history. He was a veteran of
the Civil War carrying the laurels of four years service and in addition he was a pioneer in the
conquest of the West.
	Jared M. Harris was born November 21, 1842, in Alleghany County, New York, the son of 
Anthony and Irene (Anderson) Harris. His father was a Pennsylvania farmer of Pennsylvania birth.
His mother was a native of the same state and her father had served as a soldier in the war of 1812.
Jared M. was reared principally in the state of Illinois and Wisconsin where his family removed,
and was educated in the district schools. With the early call for troops at the outbreak of the
Civil War Mr. Harris enlisted with Co. A. Third Wisconsin Volunteers and served with this company
for three years and a half. In the fall of 1861 he was shot through the hand in the battle of Boliver
Heights. He also fought in several of the hardest battles of the war including Antietam, Gettysburg,
Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain. He returned to his father's farm in Wisconsin after the war.
In 1865 he removed to Autogama county, same state, and four years later he emigrated to South Dakota
where he lived eight years, proving up on a homestead.
	In 1877 he joined the westward tide of emigration for the territory of Washington. Their 
route led from their home in Canton, South Dakota, down through Nebraska where they struck the line
of the Union Pacific. They traveled by team and wagon over the Sublette cut-off in Wyoming, leaving
the railroad behind them and thence over the Oregon Trail to Walla Walla. From there the family
came to this then undeveloped country. The Kellers, Bennetts and McKays all came from Canton, S.D.
	At that time there were only a few stockmen living along the creeks in what is now Adams
County. Even they had been driven in to Walla Walla by the Indian uprising of 1878. From 1880
onward, however, the country filled up quite rapidly, as soon as rail transportation was provided
and the success in wheat growing attained.
	J. M. Harris was married on June 25, 1865, while still a resident of Wisconsin, to Augusta
M. York, a native of Wisconsin and daughter of Frank and Eliza D. (Cottrell) York. She has been a
worthy helpmate for Mr. Harris all through the years. They recently passed the 58th wedding
anniversary. Six children were born to them, all of whom survive. They are: Jesse R., Nora, wife of J.
S. Edwards, postmaster; Laura, Mrs. J. M. Comparet, Claude A., all of Ritzville; Nettie, Mrs. D.
W. Pettijohn of Seattle; and Clifford of San Diego.
	Mr. Harris was a member of the Maccabees, was a charter member of the K. of P. lodge, and was
a faithful member of the W. B. Hazen post of the G. A. R. He has been its commander for many terms
and served in other official capacities. He was a Republican in politics through not an active
partisan. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at the Methodist church and will be
conducted by Rev. Mr. Koontz, a former pastor. The American Legion and Woman's Relief Corps will
assist. The burial will be in the local cemetery.

The Journal-Times Thursday, July 26 1923 issue

Grey Uniform Is His Shroud
	J. M. Adams, father of J. Oscar Adams of Spokane, died last Thursday at Medical Lake. The
remains were brought to Ritzville Saturday afternoon, the auto hearse bringing the body and interment
took place in the Ritzville cemetery. Mr. Adams was a long-time resident of this city. He was keenly
interested in politics and a staunch democrat.
	The following is taken from the Spokesman-Review of Saturday morning. Owing to the fact that
none of the relatives reside here now a full obituary is unobtainable:
	"Clad in the full glory of his old gray conferderate uniform, James H. Adams, age 78, Ritzville
pioneer, will be buried in Ritzville today. Services will be held this morning at 9 o'clock form the
New England undertaking establishment in Spokane.
	"For more than half a century, in fact since he took off the insigna of the south's futile
cause and laid it way at the close of the Civil War, Mr. Adams had saved his uniform for his shroud.
He loved the south with an intense passion and was proud that he had fought in its cause.
	"During his life he often took out the uniform and looked at it, speaking of the time when
he could put it on again for the great campaign.
	"Mr. Adams was born in Pennsylvania county, Virginia, 78 years ago. He served in the Confederate
Army throughout the Civil war. Twenty-five years ago he moved to Ritzville where he served as
general land agent for the Northern Pacific. He was a charter member of the Ritzville Baptist church.
	"He is the father of eight sons, seven of whom survive him. They are E. M. Adams, Connell,
Wash.; the Rev. J. C. Adams, Spokane; J. Oscar Adams, Spokane; the Rev. J. D. B. Adams, Louisville,
Kentucky; W. W. Adams, missionary, Shantung, China; D. C. Adams, Denton, Mont.; T. J. Adams,
Deep Creek."

Mr. F. J. D. Hamlin
	C. B. Hamlin received word of the death of his father, Mr. F. J. D. Hamlin, at Coeur d'Alene
last evening. Claude has gone to the city to attend the funeral. The father came to Idaho from
Minnesota.

Mr. Joseph Yeager
	Information has been received here, thought not directly, of the death at Akron, Ohio, of
Mr. Joseph Yeager of that city. Mr. Yeager was the father of Mrs. Otto Naef, formerly of Ritzville
now of Akron. Mr. Yeager had many friends here who will learn with regret of his passing, for he
made frequent visits here during the years the Naefs resided here. They moved to Akron in 1919, one
object being to be near Mrs. Naef's parents in their declining years.
	Mr. Yeager was 76 years old. He was one of the owners of the C. H. Yeager Co., a large
department store in Akron. During recent years owing to failing health he shifted to his sons 
responsibility for direction of the business. He is survived by his widow, two sons and one daughter,
all fo whom reside at Akron.

The Journal-Times Thursday, August 2, 1923 issue

Buried At Coeur d'Alene
	The body of Fred J. D. Hamlin arrived at Coeur d'Alene from Minnesota Monday and the funeral
was held from the Cassady chapel at 2:30 Monday afternoon. Interment was made in the Forest cemetery.
Rev. Fred Thompson officiated. The children of the deceased, Mrs. P. Ritzheimer of Coeur d'Alene;
Claude of Ritzville, Elmer of Metaline Falls, Harry of Salol, Minn., Laurence of Seattle, Mrs. E. G.
Graham of Snoqualmie Falls, and T. J. Hamlin of Puyallup, were there to attend the funeral. Two
sisters from the east were unable to attend.
	The deceased was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and also McReynold's Post G.A.R.

Mrs. Hulda Mueller
	Mrs. Hulda Mueller, age 41, passed away Thursday evening, July 26th, 1923, at her home at
820 West Central, Spokane, where she lived with her sister, Miss M. Wellsandt. Mrs. Mueller was a
resident of Spokane two months, having come from Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Mueller formerly lived at
Ritzville, where her husband died about twenty years ago and her father, Chas. Wellsandt, about 
fifteen years ago. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. W. H. Perry of Cheney, one daughter, Dorothy
Mueller of Portland, Oregon, three sisters, Mrs. E. A. Palmeter of Seattle, Miss M. Wellsandt of
Spokane, Miss Julia Wellsandt of Petersburg, Alaska.
	Funeral services were held last Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Hayden-Jaeger funeral parlors, the
Rev. L. Morgan Chambers, officiating. The remains were shipped to Portland for burial.

The Journal-Times Thursday, August 9, 1923 issue

Gordon Thiel Dies Saturday
	Gordon Thiel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Thiel of Astoria, Oregon, died last Saturday
evening at 6:45. He made a hard fight for several weeks to overcome injuries received when he was
stuck while playing in the street by a heavy truck. For a time it was thought he would recover
but his strength could not carry him over the long, hard road. Internal injuries were the cause of
the death.
	Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Astoria. The boy's grandfather, Jacob Thiel,
sr., and his great-uncle, Henry Thiel, sr., went down to Astoria Monday to attend the funeral. Gordon
was six years old. He was born in Ritzville. The family removed to Astoria to make their home
several years ago. He is also survived by an older brother, Ellsworth. 

Mrs. Peter Wagenaar
	Mrs. Peter Wagenaar, formerly a resident of Ritzville, died last Friday in Spokane. She was
75 years of age at the time of her death. The remains were taken to Portland for interment. Funeral
services were held at the funeral chapel of Snook and Whealdon in Portland Monday afternoon and
burial took place in the Rose City cemetery.
	Mr. and Mrs. Wagenaar were married in Peoria, Ill., in 1875. They removed to Ritzville in 1888
residing here for 25 years. Then then went to Portland and lived part of the time there and part of
the time in Spokane. Mrs. Wagenaar is survived by her husband and by four sons and five daughters,
who are: Albert, Harry and John Wagenaar of Portland, Paul of Spokane; Mrs. Fred Buscher, Ritzville;
Mrs. Roy Slick, Spokane; Mrs. Fred Clodius, Mrs. Charles Park and Mrs. Kate Dennis of Portland.
	Mr. and Mrs. Buscher went down to Portland to attend the funeral.

The Journal-Times Thursday, August 16, 1923 issue

Dies From Injuries
	J. D. Gillis, well known rancher living near Washtucna, died last Sunday at the Deaconess
Hospital, Spokane, from injuries receivd last Thursday morning when he fell from a windmill tower.
He was taken to the hospital that afternoon. Sunday an operation was decided on and it was found
that he had suffered a ruptured spleen.
	Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Washtucna and burial took place. Rev. D. A. 
Russell had charge of the services.
	Mr. Gillis had gone to the top of the windmill tower while making repairs about the windmill.
While aloft the tower collapsed and he fell with it, the tower striking across his abdomen. His
death is a very sad one. He was 58 years of age. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ethel Gillis,
and by eight children, the oldest boy of 15 and the youngest a baby. There are six sons and two
daughters. Mr. Gillis was a brother of A. M. Gillis formerly county commissioner.

Girl Is Killed When Shot Gun Is Discharged
	Ruth Phillips, 13 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Phillips, was killed instantly
last Sunday afternoon at the A. B. Fifield ranch near Hooper, when a shotgun was discharged.
Alice Larison, age 11, and Floyd Fifield, age 12, were also injured by the same discharge. The
accident occurred at the Fifield home, which was the scene of a family gathering celebrating the
birthday of one of the children. The children were playing about the house and found a shotgun
in a stairway. One of them picked it up and it was discharged, before any of the parents knew
the children had obtained the gun.
	The two children who were hurt were brought to Ritzville and taken to Mrs. Allen's where
Dr. Bloch has been caring for them. They are reported as getting along very well and out of danger.
Alice Larison received some of the shot in the abdomen and Floyd Fifield was shot in the forearm
but will not lose his hand or arm. Ruth Phillips, who was killed, received the heavy portion of
the load in her back at the point of the shoulder blade.
	Funeral services for the dead girl were held on Wednesday at Washtucna, conducted by Rev.
D. A. Russell. The remains were taken to Lind for burial.

The Journal-Times Thursday, August 23, 1923 issue

Infant Succumbs
	O. H. Greene received a message Wednesday of last week of the birth of a daughter to
Captain and Mrs. Harold Tyree of Huntington, West Virginia. Word was received Saturday that
the infant had passed away. Mrs. Tyree was Miss Lucile Greene, daughter of Mr. Greene.

The Journal-Times Thursday, August 30, 1923 issue

Mrs. J. H. Ocheltree Called Home After Long And Useful Life
	HATTON - Mrs. J. H. Ocheltree, for many years an honored resident of Hatton, passed away
at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. R. Zumwalt, at Maryville, California, just as the sun was
sinking behind the western horizon on the evening of Monday, August 27th, 1923. She was born in
West Virginia September 17, 1847, lacking just twenty days of being seventy-six years old, an age 
that encompassed a period of time that witnessed some of the greatest changes and achievements that
the world has ever known. Grandma Ocheltree, as she was familiarly known, was loved by everyone
with whom she came in contact. She was a member of the Presbyterian church for sixty years and
surely was a woman of God. She leaves to mourn the loss of a sincerely devoted mother, the following
eight children, together with ten grandchildren and one great grandchild: T. E. Ocheltree and H. R.
Ocheltree of Hatton; Mrs. F. R. Zumwalt of Maryville, California; Edith Ocheltree, Missouri; Mrs.
Rose Gray, Harry L. Ocheltree, and Mrs. R. A. Murray, all of California. 

Lola Reeder Peterson Dead
	HATTON - Mrs. Lola Reeder Peterson, aged about twenty-seven years, passed away at the
Deaconess hospital in Spokane, Tuesday morninng, August 28th, following an operation. Her death
came as a shock to her many relatives and friends here, whom she only recently visited, when she
seemed in perfect health. Particulars as to funeral arrangements have not been received.
	Mrs. Maude Reeves left Tuesday for Spokane in response to a message announcing the death
of her niece, Mrs. Lola Reeder Peterson.

The Journal-Times Thursday, September 13, 1923 issue

Dies In California
	Word has been received here of the death in California of E. J. Schnasse, who committed
suicide. Mrs. Schnasse was formerly Mrs. Selma Vest, her maiden name being Selma Itrich. She
grew up here and was an intimate friend of Mrs. Phil Bier. The particulars of the deed have not
been learned here, but the Prosser paper, reporting the affair, stated that Mr. Schnasse had been
subjects to fits of melancholy. The couple had one child, about seven months old.

Arthur M. Kipp
	Arthur M. Kipp, who moved from here to Spokane with his family a little over a year ago,
died in Spokane following an operation last Friday night. Few of the particulars have been learned
by friends here. Mr. and Mrs. C. Wentworth went up to Spokane Saturday night to be with Mrs. Kipp.
The funeral was planned for Tuesday. Mr. Kipp was a chiropractic by profession. He is survived
by his widow and three young and attractive children.

The Journal-Times Thursday, September 20, 1923 issue

Conrad Heimbigner
	The body of Conrad Heimbigner arrived here Saturday from Montana, where he passed away.
Funeral services were held Sunday, conducted by Rev. Jacob Morach. The deceased was a relative
of the Heimbigners residing in this county.

The Journal-Times Thursday, September 27, 1923 issue

School Girl Killed In Automobile Smash
	Clara Hardt, age 9, was struck by the automobile driven by her grandfather, Jacob Hardt,
and killed while on her way to school Monday morning. Her companion, Emma Gering, received a severe
scalp wound, but is recovering. The accident occurred on the graveled highway about 25 miles west
of Ritzville between the Menno school and the Waltner home. Mr. Hardt was going to take his two
grandchildren, Clara and her younger brother to school. Clara's friend, Emma Gering, came along
driving a horse hitched to a two-wheeled cart and invited Clara to ride with her, which she did.
	Mr. Hardt followed later with the grandson. Just how the accident occurred is not entirely
clear. Emma Gering, who is 15 years old, the daughter of Jake Gering, says that Clara looked behind
and told her her grandfather was coming. She then turned her horse and drove at the side of the
road. The car coming up from behind caught the wheel of the cart, breaking off the shafts, overturning
the cart, and throwing Clara under the automobile where her head was crushed. The horse broke away
from the wreckage through the fence. Mr. Hardt stopped the car at once only to find Clara's life
extinct. Emma was brought to Ritzville and taken to the Adam Grenz home. Dr. Boch had to take over
twenty stitches to close the scalp wound. She is improving and will soon be recovered. She feels
keenly the loss of her friend.
	We understand that Mr. Hardt's account of the accident was that he turned to go around
the cart and about that time the horse lunged toward the car so that the rear of the car caught
the cartwheel.
	The accident cast a pall of gloom over the community west of Ritzville, where the family
is well known, and over the Menno school which Clara attended. Clara's father died several years
ago, following an operation. Her mother subsequently married Wm. Triebwasser and they reside
down near Washtucna. Clara is also survived by two younger brothers. She was nine years, five months
and three days old. The children had been living with their grandfather.
	Mr. Hardt is badly broken up over the accident, grieving deeply over the death of his grand-
daughter. Some months ago while he was driving to town his car overturned and John Dugger, who was
riding with him, was seriously injured. It is said that the sight in one of his eyes is defective.
	The funeral services for Clara were held Wednesday at the Lutheran church northwest of
Ritzville, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Brockman. They were largely attended. 

Mother Of Judge Zent Dies At Pasco
	PASCO, WASH. - The funeral of Mrs. C. P. Zent, a pioneer resident of the northwest, was
held this afternoon and burial was at Walla Walla. Death came Monday night.
	Mrs. Zent is survived by 10 children living in different parts of the northwest. Judge W. W.
Zent of Spokane who also holds the office of exalted ruler of the Elks, was present at the funeral.
Other children are Mrs. Ralph Rigg and Mrs. E. E. Woods, both of Pasco; George W. Zent of Los Angeles,
a former mayor of Pasco; D. E. Zent of Spokane; D. W. Zent of Gooding, Ida.; F. P. Zent of Anacortes;
Mrs. Chas. Tinsey of Kellogg, Idaho; Mrs. James Kerr of Greenview, B.C., and Mrs. A. C. Pierce of
Yakima. -Spokane Spokesman-Review