Adams County, 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, April 14, 1927 issue Two Close Friends Rest Side By Side in Ritzville Cemetery This week it is our sad duty to chronicle the death of two of Ritzville's prominent citizens and pioneer residents. J. S. Lansing passed away at his home in this city at eight o'clock Monday night and a little over three hours later, Claude A. Harris passed away at St. Luke's hospital, Spokane, at 11:45. Close friends for many years it is coincident that they departed form this life nearly together. Claude A. Harris was born in Canton, South Dakota, July 23, 1874, and would have been 53 years of age next July. When three years of age he crossed the plains with his parents in a covered wagon, four months being consumed in the journey. The family settled at Walla Walla and three years later came to Ritzville, when Claude was six years of age. He had resided here ever since. When the Harris family settled here there were only a few families in the county. This country was then a stock range and after Claude grew to young manhood for several years he and his brother Jesse rode the ranges of the Big Bend rounding up cattle and horses and following the other pursuits of the true western cowboy. When Claude was about 16 years of age he entered partnership with his father, J. M. Harris, in the livery business. In the spring of 1898 his father retired from the business and Jesse moved in from the ranch to take his place and thus was established the Harris Bros. livery, which was known all over the Big Bend country. A few years ago Mr. Harris suffered from infected teeth and after all treatment had failed the teeth were removed and his trouble apparently disappeared. A few months ago gland trouble developed, which is believed to be the result of the first infection. He made several trips to Spokane for examinations, but the trouble proved too stubborn for medical science and finally, a few weeks ago he was taken to Spokane and placed under the care of specialists at St. Luke's hospital. Mrs. Harris was with him constantly and all that loving care and medical attention could do was done but he gradually grew weaker until the end. Up until a few minutes of his death he never lost consciousness and seemed confident of his ultimate recovery. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. H. E. Gritman were with him and Mr. Harris asked that they go home and get some sleep. He sat up in bed and the nurse examined him found his pulse quite strong. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Gritman started for home and were about to enter the elevator when the nurse summoned them back and they arrived just before the end came. Probably there is not a man in the country or the Big Bend who had a wider acquaintance than Claude Harris. "Corkie" as he was called by his friends, was known to all horsemen as one of the daring range riders of early days. He took a prominent part in all the Ritzville Round-Ups as an official, and has always been a loyal booster for the city where he lived so long. He was a true friend and a general favorite with all who knew him. He was always ready to sacrifice his time and money for any local enterprise and no entertainment staged at the fair grounds seemed complete without the appearance of Mr. Harris. As time marked the passing of the horse, Harris Bros. livery changed with the times to Harris Bros. Garage and has been conducted as such for several years, but Claude still got a great deal of enjoyment when mounted on a good horse. The funeral services were held at Methodist Episcopal church this afternoon, conducted by Archdeacon Coffin of Spokane. The floral tributes at the funeral were among the most beautiful ever seen in the city. Large pieces and elaborate sprays filled the church rostrum to overflowing. The Ritzville Round-Up quartette composed of Will Rosenoff, Carl C. Clodius, Jake Hoefel and W. Proctor, sang and Mrs. Walter Staser sang a solo. Pallbearers were H. E. Gritman, J. H. Finck, R. C. Woolson, V. A. Chargois, Will Weller and Carl Crawley, all intimate and life-long friends of the deceased. The services at the grave were very brief. Interment was by the side of his old friend, J. S. Lansing. Rev. W. G. Dann assisted Rev. Coffin with the services at the grave. Besides his wife and children, Mr. Harris is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. M. Harris, two brothers, Jesse of Ritzville, and Clifford in California; three sisters, Mrs. Nora Edwards of Ritzville; Mrs. Laura Comparet of Tacoma; Mrs. Nettie Pettijohn of Seattle. James Fiske Lansing James Fiske Lansing was born in St. Louis, Miss., May 16th, 1870, and was 56 years, 3 months and 11 days of age at the time of his death. His parents, with five children, moved to Brooklyn, N.. Y., when he was a small child. There he grew to manhood and received his education, graduating from the high school and attending Columbia University. When a young man he came west and spent several years in Arizona, going from there to Butte, Montana, where he lived for many years before coming to Ritzville. In 1909 he came to Ritzville to audit the books of the German-American bank. while here the directors tendered him the position of cashier and he accepted and continued to act in that capacity up to the time the bank was closed a few years ago. September 18, 1912, he was united in marriage with Alma C. Walter at Spokane. Mrs. Lansing is the only immediate surviving relative. Shortly after the bank closed he suffered a slight stroke of apoplexy but recovered and in May 1925, he and Mrs. Lansing moved to Spokane, returning to Ritzville, February 1 of this year. Mr. Lansing never fully regained his strength, and while able to be about up to within a few hours of his death, was able to do but little work. Shortly after noon, Monday, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and passed away at eight o'clock Monday night. Funeral services were held from the St. Mark's Episcopal church this morning at 10:30, conducted by Archdeacon Coffin of Spokane. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs. Walter Stanser, Mrs. V. A. Chargois, Carl C. Clodius and Jake Hoefel. The pallbearers were Walter Staser, G. E. Lovell, Henry W. Thiel, J. H. Finck, H. E. Gritman and Will Weller. The flora tributes were very fine, the entire rostrum of the church being filled. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery. Mrs. Joseph Jones Suddenly Stricken Mrs. Joseph Jones, a resident of this city for over thiry years, passed away at the family home in this city Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock, following a stroke of apoplexy which occurred Monday morning about six o'clock. Mrs. Jones had not been feeling well Sunday but arose Monday morning and had started the fires to prepare breakfast when she was stricken. Elizabeth Hook was born in Illinois, January 27, 1849, and was 78 years, 2 months and twelve days of age at the time of her death. October 12th, 1866, she was married to Joseph Jones in Iowa. After residing in Illinois for a time they moved to "Gowrie, Iowa, coming from that place to Ritzville in December 1893, thirty-three years ago and Mrs. Jones had resided here ever since. Mr. Jones passed away February 13, 1921. Nine years ago Mr. and Mrs. Jones celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, four of whom are living. They are Elmer C. Jones and Clara N. Landreth of Ritzville; Mary A. Sage, Spokane; Frank M. Jones, Philadelphia, Pa. One son, John S. Jones, died several years ago. Frank will not be able to come west for the funeral. Funeral services will be conducted from Haight's Chapel at 2:30 Saturday afternoon and interment will be in the Ritzville cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, April 28, 1927 issue Mrs. Geo. Fischer Dies At Spokane Mrs. George Fischer, formerly a resident of this city, where Mr. Fischer conducted the Model meat market foor many years, passed away at Spokane Monday afternoon, following a long illness, suffering from internal cancer. About a year ago Mrs. Fischer was taken to Rochester, Minnesota, where she underwent treatment at Mayo Bros., but the treatment failed to benefit her and she gradually became weaker until her end came Friday. Funeral services will be held at the Hazen and Jaeger chapel in Spokane this afternoon at 2:30 and burial will take place in Spokane. Several from this city are in Spokane to attend the services. August Krause, Chris Rieker, Conrad Schafer and Henry Thiel, Sr. will act as pallbearers and Mrs. Will Schafer and Mrs. Henry Thiel, Sr., will sing. Mrs. Fischer was born in Germany and was 48 years of age the 14th of March, 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were united in marriage at Davenport, Wash., January 9th, 1907. Three children were born who with the husband survive to mourn her loss. They are George, Edna and Eugene. She is also survived by three brothers, E. Zellmer and August Zellmer, of Spokane, and Carl Zellmer in Germany; also five sisters, Mrs. Minnie Schuldt, St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Tina Janke, Montorovia, Minn.; Mrs. Bertha Baum, Germany; Miss Louise Zellmer, Germany; Mrs. Chas. Brandt, St. Petersburg, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer visited their old home in Germany about five years ago. Mrs. Fischer's mother who lives in Germany also survives her. The Journal-Times Thursday, May 12, 1927 issue Ritzville Man Commits Suicide Apparently despondent as a result of family difficulties and being short of funds, Ed Meriman of this city, shot himself through the head at the Langham hotel in Spokane last Saturday. Although Mr. Meriman was a resident of this vicinity for many years very few of his acquaintances knew that he was a married man. He had married 39 years ago and his wife, daughter and two sons reside at Spokane. Mr. Meriman formerly homesteaded a piece of land joining the Richard Thompson place on Cow Creek. He was employed on the ranch during the time Mr. Thompson lived there, afterwards going to the Walla Walla ranch, where he was employed by Ed Faure. About a year ago he was arrested with a companion named Morris on a charge of manufacturing liquor. He was acquitted at the trial. Recently his wife had instituted proceedings for a divorce and Meriman has been in Spokane on and off for the past year. About a year ago he had considerable money in the bank here but it has gradually dwindled away until about a week ago the bank was compelled to return a small check on account of insufficient funds. It is thought that this lack of funds coupled with his domestic troubles led to his ending his life Saturday. The body was taken to a Spokane undertaking parlor and was afterwards buried at Spokane. His son and daughter were in Ritzville the first of the week to see if he had left any estate. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 9, 1927 issue County Pioneer Dies at Washtucna Washtucna's grand old man, G. W. Bassett, was called to his final rest June 7, 1927, his age being, at the time of his death, 81 years, 5 months and 6 days. It is with a deep feeling of regret that we must chronicle his passing as he had endeared himself to the citizens of this community with the deepest possible ties of friendship. Mr. Bassett was always a loyal advocate of all enterprises that had a benefiting effect toward the upbuilding of town and community, either morally, socially or economically. He was Washtucna's first citizen and the present town of Washtucna is located on this claim, the trees planted on this claim still being known as Bassett's Grove. Mr. Bassett was the founder of the town of Washtucna and one of the founders of the first church in Washtucna. Mr. Bassett built and maintained Washtucna's first water system; donated the land for Washtucna's municipal park, the park being named Bassett Park in his honor. He took a keen interest in the political life of the community and of eastern Washington, having served as Mayor of Washtucna for innumerable terms and as state senator for one term. Truly a God-fearing man, fearless, with an innate desire for justice to all and malice toward none. His memory will linger in the hearts of the citizens of the community until they too are called beyond. A rugged Pioneer. A faithful church worker. Washtucna's kindest friend, George Washington Bassett was born December 31, 1845, at Wright's Grove, Clinton County, Iowa. Moving to Minnesota as a young man, and in 1866 journeying west by ox team to Montana where, in 1874, he was united in marriage to Alice C. Lancaster. Shortly after the young couple made the overland journey to Walla Walla, Wash. In 1877 the Bassett family again moved and located on a timber claim on the present home site where for the past 50 years the family has actively engaged in stock raising, farming operations and in 1919 retaining his land holdings of some 3,000 acres. He was an active member of the United Presbyterian church, a member of the Masonic Order. Mr. Bassett is survived by his wife and four children, two sons, L. L. Bassett of Wastucna; C. A. Bassett of Colfax; two daughters, Mrs. Wm. A. Pearce, and Mrs. Georgia Bassett McCabe, both of Washtucna. One brother, S. S. Bassett, of Spokane, and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at the residence at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 9, the Rev. M. E. Dunn of Portland, Ore., officiating. Interment at Walla Walla cemetery, Walla Walla, Wash. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the family in this, their hour of bereavement. Former Rattlesnake Falt Resident Passes Monday morning at 10 o'clock from the Christian church at Opportunity, the Rev. M. J. Walters officiating, Mrs. Mary E. Collier was buried. Interment in Opportunity cemetery. Mrs. Collier will be remembered as one of the early settlers on Rattlesnake Flats, having of late years resided at Opportunity. She was 78 years of age at death and is survived by husband, James F.; six sons, Bert H. and W. R. of Spokane; Jas. V., of Dayton, Ohio; P. H., of Rockford, Wash.; J. J. at Mica, Wash.; L. L., Walla Walla, and B. F., of Albion, Wash. Daughter, Mrs. Lily B. Huffman, Everett, Wash. Also 42 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 16, 1927 issue Chung Sing Dies At Lind Chung Sing, a well-known Chinese restaurant man, of Lind, passed away at Lind Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at Lind tomorrow afternoon. M. F. Haight, of Ritzville, will have charge of the funeral. Sing was well known in Ritzville. He had lived in Lind 27 years and was respected by all who knew him. He was known particularly for his generosity and it is said that during his residence in this county he has given away many thousands of dollars to those in need. No one in trouble ever appealed to Sing in vain and at holiday time many children were made happy by generous gifts from Chung Sing. Dr. Midford Dead Word has just been received here of the death of Dr. H. Midford, which occurred at Estacaba, Ore., on May 18. Dr. Midford was formerly a physician in this city and married Miss Marguerite Cassiday, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Cassiday, pioneer residents of this city. Mr. Cassiday was former manager of the Modern Hardware Company, but is now in business at Spokane. Funeral services were held at Portland and burial was in the Portland cemetery. Besides his wife Dr. Midford leaves two daughters, one about three years old and the other less than one year old. Lose Baby Boy A six and a half pound boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Lasswell on Monday night. The baby passed away Tuesday morning, having lived but ten hours. Burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery Wednesday morning. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 23, 1927 issue John Lafrenz Dies at Ralston John Lafrenz, a pioneer of Adams county, passed away at Ralston last Thursday night, after being in failing health for about two years. The immediate cause of his death was a severe hemorrhage, brought on by a coughing spell. Thursday evening he was feeling fairly well but had a small hemmorhage about 8 o'clock. After he had retired he was teaken with a coughing spell and in the hemmorhage that followed a great deal of blood was lost and he passed away about midnight. Funeral services were held from Haight's chapel in this city Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W. G. Dann, of the M. E. church. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery. John Lafrenz was born at Davenport, Iowa, October 10, 1856, and would have been 71 years of age next October. He came to Adams county in 1891 and settled on a homestead near Ritzville. Afterwards he engaged in the meat market business here and in 1911 moved to Ralston, where he conducted a market up until about a year and half ago. His health broke down and since that time he has been gradually failing. Mr. Lafrenz was a pioneer of the western country, having lived at Albany, Oregon, several years before coming to this county. He is survived by one brother, William Lafrenz of this city, and one sister, Mrs. Schneider of Jackson, Minnesota; also by two half brothers and three half sisters, all residing in the east. Jacob Luiten Buried In Ritzville Jacob E. Luiten, a pioneer of this county passed away at Odessa Monday, June 13, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Simpson. He was 82 years of age and had resided in the state of Washington 35 years. Upon immigrating from Europe he first settled in Minnesota. He was married in that state to Miss Eliza Kuhlman and came to Ritzville where they settled on a homestead, remaining until 1915, when they sold out and since then have lived with their children, all of whom reside in the vicinity of Ritzville and Odessa. Among those who survive him are his wife, Mrs. Eliza Luiten, four sons, John, Pete, and Alfred, of Odessa; and Willie, of Packard; six daughters, Mrs. C. A. Simpson, of Odessa; Mrs. Fred Westermann, Spokane; Mrs. G. W. Hildebrandt, Dartford; Mrs. Fred Burghard and Mrs. Henry Amen, of Packard; and Mrs. Christ Fisher, of Davenport. Besides these there are many more distant relatives and acquaintances who will be pained and surprised to hear of his sudden departure. The body was brought to Ritzville where burial services and interment took place. M. F. Haight, of Ritzville, had charge of the burial. Mrs. Gildeon Leonard Passes Another of the old pioneers of the Washtucna country passed to her last resting place on June 13 at Palo Alto, Cal., when the death of Mrs. Gideon Leonard occurred at the home of her daughter, Miss Maud Leonard, of that city. Her funeral being held at the Washtucna Christian chruch on June 17 at 10 o'clock, the Christian minister, Rev. Torgerson, officiating. A quartet composed of Mrs. Thiel, Mrs. B. Sitton, Miss Ruth Sitton and M. Sitton sang. Miss Irma Moesle, accompanist. Mrs. Leonard, with her husband and family, came west from Kansas in the early part of 1887 in one of the long immigrant trains to the Oregon country. They remained in Oregon for only a few months, moving to Ralston in October of the same year where they took up a homestead, living there until 1914 when her husband died. After his death she made her home with the daughter in California. She was nearly eighty-nine years of age at the time of her death. She is survived by two sons, Otis, of Washtucna, and Will, of Starr, Idaho; four daughters, Mrs. J. R. Harding, Eugene, Ore.; Mrs. Geo. Snyder, San Francisco; Mrs. E. H. Gerring, Garbaldi, Ore., and the daughter at Palo Alto. Mrs. Leonard was buried at the Bemis cemetery on Rattlesnake beside the body of her husband and other loved ones. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 30, 1927 issue Howard Daughters Drowned In Alaska Word was received here this morning that F. H. Daughters, son of Rev. and Mrs. T. A. Daughters, former residents of this city, had been drowned in the Copper river in Alaska. Howard went to Alaska last September to Cordova. Howard was 23 years of age. The body will be brought to Spokane for burial. The Associated Press sent the following telegram from Cordova regarding the accident: "Ray Thompson, 29, Los Angeles stunt man, Joseph Bautin, 34, Juneau and F. H. Daughters, 23, Spokane, lost their lives today in the swift icy rapids of the Copper river in Abercrombie Canyon 50 miles from Cordova, while filming "The Trail of '98" for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer location company. Harry Schneck is the director. "Bautin lost his life trying to save Daughters and Thompson who were in a boat with Gordon Craveth and Tom Granville, stunt men, shooting the rapids as in Alaskan gold rush days at Skagway. Five more boats landed safely. Craveth and Thompson jumped into the glacial torrent, Granville landed the boat singlehanded. Craveth swam the mighty current and landed safe, but Thompson was lost. Daughters fell out of a lifeboard and was swept away. Only Bautin's body was recovered." The Rev. Mr. Daughters who is vicar of St. James Episcopal church, has wired to forward the body to Spokane. The young man was born at Davenport, Wash., and comes of a pioneer family. He attended Whitman college and Cheney Normal, finishing there last August. He was a member of the reserve officers' training corps. In Spokane he had charge of St. Peter's mission as a lay reader for a year. Besides his parents, he is survived by three brothers and two sisters, George, a graduate of Whitman, Elizabeth, a senior at Whitman, Milo, at Salem, Ore., and Elmira and Andrew at home. Frank Hurst's Mother Passes Away At Spokane Mrs. Elizabeth Hurst, who has been making her home in Spokane for the past several years, passed away at ten o'clock Friday morning. Mrs. Hurst was the mother of Postmaster Hurst and has been in this vicinity (Washtucna) many times. Mr. Hurst was in Spokane at the time of her death. He left for El Dara. Illinois, Saturday morning where interment will take place at the old family home.