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 ==================================================================== Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 4, 1929, issue Couple and Child are Killed at Grade Crossing ODESSA-July 2, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Shirber were instantly killed in Lamona 10 miles east of here this afternoon and their only daughter, Antoinette, 14, died an hour later here in Dr. Snyder's office after the westbound Great Northern through freight struck their automobile on the Lamona crossing. They were coming from their farm in Crab Creek valley where they had resided for nearly 20 years. The force of the collision carried the car 125 feet, rolling it over many time. Dr. Thompson, Odessa, rushed to the scene and found Mr. and Mrs. Shriber dead. A strong wind blowing from the west and down hill grade appear to have allowed no warning for the Shirbers. Mr. Shirber's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Shirber, live in Spokane. The bodies were brought to Smith & Co. Respected Pioneer Passes WASHTUCNA-Once again the grim reaper has come into our midst, taking to his last resting place M. E. Helm, one of Adams county's most respected and loved citizens, who has been a resident here for the past 40 years, where he took up a timber culture on Rattlesnake Flat and where he has erected a lovely modern home. He passed away last Tuesday morning at the Sacred Heart hosptial in Spokane, following an operation which was performed on the Monday preceding. During his long residence here he has made many friends who mourn his loss and will miss his good fellowship. Mathew Elmer Helm was born in Pittsfield, Illinois, 69 years ago, coming to Adams county about 40 years ago. He was out here about a year when he was married to Mary Helm, who surives him. To this union were born three children who also survive, Mrs. Amy Worthy of Long Beach, Cal., and Chester Barney Helm and Paul Helm of this community; one sister, Mrs. Robert West, and one brother, James, both of Washtucna, and a brother, John. The funeral service was conducted at the home on Rattlesnake Flat last Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Padgett and Son, Spokane funeral directors, in charge. The Rev. D. A. Russell, pastor of the Washtucna U. P. church officiated. Rev. Campbell gave a prayer. Interment was made in Washtucna cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 11, 1929, issue Son Of Former Local People Drowns In Oregon According to word received here, the six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Fulquartz Jr., former reisdents of Ritzville and Sprague, was accidentally drowned near his home at Klamath Falls, Oregon, during the past week. The tragedy resulted from the youngsters running away from home. His parents are well known to Adams and Lincoln county people, the father being a son of S. A. Fulquartz Sr. of Sprague. The boy's mother was formerly Miss Audrey Smith, who graduated from the Ritzville High School some years ago. James Harmon James Harmon, well known Benge rancher, passed away at the Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane, Monday evening, after an operation for cancer. Mr. Harmon had been ill only a short time before his death. Darrell Evans HATTON - C. U. Gifford received word that his nephew, Darrell Evans, was fatally injured at Arlington, Oregon, on July 2. An inexperienced driver shot across the curb, pinning him to the wall where he was standing, crushing his head. He was taken to the Dalles hospital but only lived a short time. Darrell was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Evans, who lived here some 20 years ago. He has been living in Los Angeles for a number of years and had grown into a stalwart young man of sterling character and his acquaintances extend their sincere sympathy to the bereaved relatives. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 18, 1929, issue James Harmon BENGE-James Henry Harmon, 55, who for eight years had been engaged in farming intermittently, in this vicinity passed away Monday, July 8, at the Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane, following an operation for cancer. The deceased was born in Illinois in 1874, and had farmed about Benge for several years. At the time of his leaving this community, last fall, for Spokane, where he took up his residence, he was associated with Charles Bruihl on the latter's ranch east of here. Surviving the deceased are his widow Mrs. Nellie Harmon of Benge, and four sons, William, Russell and James of Benge and Joseph of Spokane. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 11, from the Hennessey & Calloway parlors in Spokane. Interment was made at Rathdrum, Idaho, a former place of residence of the Harmon family. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 25, 1929, issue Henry Warren Schellenger Henry Warren Schellenger, age 34, the son of W. C. Schellenger of Ralston, died Monday night at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane and the funeral was held in that city Wednesday, with interment in the Greenwood cemetery. Mr. Schellenger, who was a merchant of Vay, Idaho, is survived by his wife and two daughters, of Vay; his father, one brother, Charles, and two sisters, Katherine and Helen Ruth, of Ralston. Bell Infant LIND-Funeral services were held Friday for the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bell at the family residence. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 1, 1929, issue Woman's Sudden Death Mystifies Young Ritzville Matron Passes Away In Convulsion, Indicating Strychnine Poisoning- Complained Of Bitter Taste Of Water Mystery surrounds the death of Mrs. Rheinhold Kautz, 35 year old wife of Rheinhold Kautz, who died in convulsions at her home here Wednesday morning. Mrs. Kautz had prepared her breakfast about 7:30, placed it on the table and called her two young daughters, who were yet in bed. Just what her actions were then will remain unsolved, as she rushed into the bedroom where the children slept and exclaimed that she had taken a drink of water and it was terribly bitter. In agony, she told the girls to summon a doctor as well as her husband, who was in the country working in harvest, but had been at home the evening previous. By the time Dr. Sweet arrived, shortly before 8 o'clock, Mrs. Kautz was dying in convulsions, with all the symptoms of strychnine poisoning. How she came to get hold of the poison, if such it was, is unknown, as there was none on the place, and there was no apparent reason why she should take her own life. She enjoyed excellent health, was not despondent and was devoted to her family. The home life makes her case a baffling one. The husband arrived after Mrs. Kautz had died and was prostrated by the news of his wife's tragic death. He is regularly employed as a mechanic at the Streck garage, but had taken a job in the country for the harvest season. The body was removed to the Haight undertaking parlors, following an investigation by the coroner. An autopsy was performed and the contents of the stomach sent for analysis. Mrs. Kautz was born in Russia and was 35 years of age on June 22. She came to America with her parents 27 years ago, the family settling near Ralston and where her father still resides, her mother being dead. The deceased was married to Rheinhold Kautz 15 years ago last November and they have two daughters, Rachel, age 14, and Edna, age 12. In addition to her father, husband and children, Mrs. Kautz is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Fred Suke of Canada, Mrs. John Schulz of Ralston, and Mrs. Louis Teedle of Ritzville, and four brothers, Gottfried Gross, Ralston, John Gross, Paha, William Gross, Ralston, and Ben Gross, Lind. The funeral will be held friday afternoon from the Philadelphia Congregational church in Ritzville, Rev. Neutzmann officiating. Interment will be in the local cemetery. NOTE: Follow up article in Aug. 8 paper: That Mrs. Reinhold Kautz, 35 year old Ritzville matron, who died in convulsions at her home on Wednesday morning of last week, was the victim of a deliberate murder plot and did not meet death by her own hand or accidentally, is the belief of local officers, who are attempting to unravel the baffling mystery. The murder theory gained credence this week following the examination of the contents of the pancake flour sent to a Spokane chemist for analysis. The report shows quantities of strychnine, as did the pancakes prepared by the dead woman that morning for herself and her children. Examination of the stomach contents the last of the week at the state college revealed enough of the poison to kill a number of people. Funeral of Mrs. Patrick To Be Held Here Friday Mrs. Ida M. Patrick of Forest Grove, Oregon, formerly a resident of this city, died Friday and the body will be brought to Ritzville for burial, with short services at the grave at 10 a.m. Mrs. Patrick, who was between 65 and 70 years of age, left Ritzville about 12 years ago to make her home in Oregon. She is a cousin of Mrs. D. A. Scott and a sister of Mrs. G. A. Metz of Hatton. She is also survived by an adopted daughter, Dorothy Fredden. (Obit in Aug. 8 issue) Two Early Immigrants Pass At Ripe Old Age Wilhelmina Kison Mrs. Wilhelmina Kison, former pioneer of the Ralston district, died at the home of her daughter in Spokane last week and the funeral was held here Sunday, the services being in charge of Rev. Kleinbach of Ritzville and Rev. Maag of Connell, formerly of this city. Interment was in the local cemetery. Wilhelmina Kison, nee Hille, was born June 10, 1851, in the colony of Kulm, Bessarabia, Rumania, previously Russia. In 1870 she was married to Daniel Kison, 10 children being born to them, of whom seven were taken in their infancy, and in 1905 their oldest son died at the age of 33 years. They lived in the colonies of Seimeny and Mansburg and in 1901 the family immigrated to America, settling on a homestead near Ralston, where they lived until the spring of 1912. Shortly after moving to Ritzville her husband was taken. Mrs. Kison was 78 years of age. She is survived by one son, John D.; two daughters, Mrs. Bertha Klundt and Mrs. Mathilda Rainsberry; 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. John Kammerzelle John Kammerzelle, native of Russia, and a resident of this county for many years, died Tuesday at his home in Ritzville, following a long illness of cancer. He was 76 years of age. Saturday had been tentatively set for the day of the funeral, but will depend on the arrival home of the family pastor, Rev. Zocher, who has been in the east several weeks, and left on the return journey home yesterday. Mr. Kammerzelle came direct to Adams county from the old country about 40 years ago, and has resided here continuously, with the exception of a few years when the family moved to Montana. He was a farmer, retiring and moving to town in 1924. There is one daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Jacob Kiehn of Dryden, and he is also survived by his widow and one son, Arthur, and one sister, Mrs. Jacob Eckhardt. Silas Ward Phillips LIND-Silas Ward Phillips, a rancher, in the vicinity southwest of Lind, was found dead beside his truck last Saturday afternoon. He had been dead several hours, and the cause of his death is undetermined. Mr. Phillips was born near Blue Springs, Missouri, June 3, 1892. The Phillips family moved to Washington in 1900, living near Ritzville for a year, then moving to a homestead, 12 miles southwest of Lind. By 1917 Ward had assumed management of his father's farming interests, which had grown from the 160-acre homestead to a ranch of approximately four thousand acres. At the same time the other brothers were acquiring the adjoining land. In January of 1918 Mr. Phillips was married to Verona Mittermeyer of Lind. Several years ago Ward and Hugh Phillips, an older brother, formed a partnership known as Phillips Bros., to carry on additional agricultural activites. At the time of Ward's death the four brothers were farming about 55,000 acres of land, part of which is owned by their father, V. S. Phillips and part by themselves. A portion is rented. Mr. Phillips was a quiet man, although generally interested in people and activities about him. He is survived by his widow, Verona, and four children, Betty Lou, Shirley Ann, Richard Ward and Frances Marie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. V. S. Phillips of Cheney; three brothers, Hugh, Eugene and David, and one sister, Georgia, now Mrs. J. L. Hays, all four residing in Lind. The funeral services were in charge of Miles Haight of Ritzville and were held at the Methodist church in Lind on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Many were present from Cheney, Spokane, Ritzville and other nearby towns. The Rev. Fred Cook of Grandview, who officiated at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Phillips, preached the funeral sermon. Interment was in the Cheney cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 8, 1929, issue Mrs. Ida M. Patrick Mrs. Ida M. Patrick, for many years a resident of Ritzville, passed away at Portland, Ore., Friday, July 26, after an illness of three months in a sanitarium. Mrs. Patrick was the widow of Dr. P. F. Patrick, a veteran of the Civil war, and had made Forest Grove, Oregon her home for 18 years. She was born in Minnesota in 1859 and was raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Nathan Grover with whom she lived until 18 years of age when she went to live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Williamson at Humboldt, Nebraska. Funeral services were held in Portland Monday at the Snook & Whealdon mortuary with J. R. Jeffry, D. D., her pastor from Forest Grove, officiating. She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy; three sisters, Mrs. G. A. Metz, Hatton, Wash.; Mrs. W. E. Haynie, Bend, Ore., and Mrs. James E. Robertson, Columbus, Nebraska; three brothers, W. A. Williamson, Pendleton, Ore.; F. M. and Charles E. Williamson of Humboldt, Nebraska. Burial service was read by the Rev. Dann, pastor of the Ritzville Methodist Episcopal church and the remains laid beside her father and mother in the Ritzville cemetery, with Miles Haight, undertaker in charge. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 22, 1929, issue Parents Lose Small Son; Daughter Also A Patient One of the most tragic bereavements to occur in Adams county in years was the loss to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schafer of their two-year-old son John, who passed away at the Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane, on Thursday, Aug. 15, following an operation for appendicitis subsequent to a long sickness from scarlet fever. The deceased was born April 3, 1927, and was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Schafer, prominent pioneers of Ritzville. An unusual circumstance connected with his demise was the fact that he was confined to the hospital with the same ailment with which his sister Lois was afflicted, both children undergoing practically the same kind of operation. Funeral services were held Sunday, August 18, at 2 o'clock p.m. from the German Methodist church, Ritzville, the Rev. Geo. J. Kleinbach officiating. Interment was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Surviving the deceased are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schafer, and two sisters, Lois and Virginia. Former Pioneer Passes WASHTUCNA-Word has been received here of the death of Ben Meyers at Paxton, Mont., on Aug. 7, at the home of his niece, Mary Newens. He was laid to rest beside the body of his brother, Strod at Richey, Mont. Uncle Ben, as he was affectionately called, will be remembered by old timers as one of the pioneers of this district, having moved to Montana several years ago. At the time of death he was in his nineties. He is remembered as an upright, loyal, lovable character, in physique straight as an arrow and in character far straighter. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 29, 1929, issue Child Dies of Appendicitis The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Meyer was saddened this week by the death of their daughter, Annah, age eight, who passed away Tuesday at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. Death was caused by appendicitis, following an operation several days ago. The child was born on the home place 13 miles north of town on July 27, 1921. She is survived by the parents and two sisters, Frances and Mae. Funeral services were held from the M. E. church this afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Dann officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 5, 1929, issue Mrs. Tiller Loses Father On Monday Mrs. L. M. Tiller received the sad news of the passing of her father, W. Y. Brown, age 88, at the family home in Chicago. His death occurred Sunday morning. Mr. Brown will be remembered here, as he made an extended visit in Ritzville two years ago. Fode Infant LIND-The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. William Fode passed away at their home this week and the funeral services were held at the Lutheran church on Tuesday. Interment was in the Lind cemetery. The baby was 20 days old. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 12, 1929, issue Mrs. Elizabeth Cameron Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Ott were in Sprague Monday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Ott's aunt, Mrs. Ellizabeth Cameron, 71, resident of Sprague for 22 years, who died at her home Friday evening. She was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. and came to California with her parents. In 1877 she married William Cameron, and they lived at Nevada City, Cal., in the days of the gold rush. Her husband died and she came to Sprague in 1907. She was a member of Eastern Star. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Louise Larsen, Nevada City; three sons, William and Vernon, Seattle, and Ray, Republic, and two daughters, Miss Bessie Cameron and Mrs. T. A. Mills, Sprague. Meets Tragic Death WASHTUCNA-Tom Seeney, who for the past year has been employed at the Harry Nunamaker and W. Hinchliffe ranches, met a tragic death on the Washtucna-Kahlotus highway a few miles south of McAdam station about four-thirty p.m. Sunday. He was driving a model T Ford roadster which evidently left the road and catapulted over the embankment either killing him outright or within a few minutes after landing in the ditch. No one witnessed the accident and as he was riding alone, no one will ever know just what happened. When found his body was still warm. The Franklin county coroner was immediately notified, but it took some time to identify the body as the features were badly lacerated and no identifying papers were found in the clothes or car. The coroner removed the remains to Pasco pending arrival of relatives. Mr. Seeney had left the Hinchliffe ranch Sunday morning with two salesmen from Lacrosse, who were intending to sell him a car. He was returning to the ranch with his newly purchased car when the accident that caused his death occurred. Former Washtucna Boy Fatally Shot WASHTUCNA-Word has been received here of the death of Elmer Bevard, age nine, who was accidently fatally shot by an older brother at Pleasant Prairie near Spokane a few days ago. He was rushed to Spokane to the hospital although it was thought impossible to save the lad from the seriousness of the wound. The Bevards lived here last year and Elmer attended school here. Just how the accident occurred is not known here. The funeral services were held on September 7 at the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints in Spokane, the Rev. Mr. Curtis officiating and interment was in Pleasant Prairie cemetery. Sisters Lose Brother by Death WASHTUCNA-Mrs. Mary Oyler and Mrs. Ella Price were saddened on Friday morning by a telegram telling of the passing of their brother George C. Price at Trenton, Missouri. His death was caused by cancer of the stomach. A few days previous the sisters had received word of his critical illness and Mrs. Price was preparing to go east as soon as possible. She left that evening, Mrs. Oyler accompanying her as far as Spokane. Mr. Price came west at the time of his father's death a few years ago and visited here for some time so that he made the acquaintance of a number of Washtucna peopole, who also regret his passing. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 19, 1929, issue George Becker Dead George Becker, formerly of Ritzville, died at his home 204 No. Sprague St., Ellensburg, Wash., Sunday at the age of 54. Mr. Becker had been ill for several months, though his death came rather unexpectedly and as a big shock. He was married to Katie Schierman at Spokane May 9, 1897. Later they moved to Ritzville where Mr. Becker was engaged in farming and a meat market. In August 1918 he moved with his family to Ellensburg where he has since resided. He is survived by his widow and five children -Edward G. Becker of Yakima, Wn.; Mrs. Glenn J. Goodwin, Spokane, Wn.; Victor Becker, Portland, Ore.; Arthur Becker, San francisco, Cal.; Mrs. Ray H. Mardhorst, Ellensburg, Wn.; and also four grandchildren - Robert Goodwin, Spokane; Jean Goodwin, Spokane; Richard Becker, San Francisco, and Ruth Ann Becker, Yakima, Wn.; four brothers and one sister. The funeral was held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Honeycutt Chapel. George, as he was known by his friends, was a familiar face in Ritzville for 20 years. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, Septebmer 26, 1929, issue Veteran Guard Dies Of Stroke Jacob Bastron Had Charge Of Municipal Swimming Pool For Six Years-Was Pioneer Farmer Of District, Coming To America In 1877 Jacob Bastron, 71, well-known pioneer rancher of Adams county and for the past six years guard at the Ritzville swimming pool, passed away at his home near the city park at 7 o'clock Sunday evening from apoplexy. He had complained of a headache Friday afternoon, and at 4 a.m. Saturday morning suffered a stroke, never regaining consciousness. Mr. Bastron was born in Frank, Russia, September 2, 1858, the son of Jacob Bastron and Mary Hofferber. In 1877, at the age of 19, he came to America, landing in New York as port of entry, staying there for a short time. In 1878 he moved to Lincoln, Neb., and after a several months stay there moved to Hastings, in the same state. At Hastings the deceased was united in marriage in 1879 to Mary Katherine Heimbigner. In 1882 the young couple left Hastings for Washington, coming overland with the covered wagon emigrant train under the leadership of the late Frederick Rosenoff, in which many of the substantial early settlers who contributed to the building of eastern Washington were travelers. The Bastrons left the train at Walla Walla where they resided for nine years. In 1891 they moved to Ritzville, settling on a homestead nine miles west of town, which is now operated by a son, Joe. After twenty-one years of hard work on the ranch, Mr. Bastron retired and moved to town in 1912, turning the operation of the ranch over to his sons. Since the building of the Ritzville municipal swimming pool in 1923, the deceased has been life guard and custodian of the plunge. His cheerful, jovial nature endeared him to the children who flocked to the pool for swimming and instruction during the hot summer months, and his passing has erased a bright page from the lives of the youngsters which cannot be easily rewritten. The deceased is survived by his widow, a sister in Russia, eight children, 24 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The children are four sons, Arthur and Martin of Walla Walla and Sam and Joe of Ritzville; four daughters, Mrs. Henry Schafer, Mrs. C. W. Nauditt and Mrs. John Schoesler of Ritzville and Mrs. Con Schafer of Spokane. Funeral services were held form the Philadelphia Congregational church, Ritzville, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Rev. H. Neutzmann officiating. The body was laid at rest in the Ritzville cemetery. Lind Farmer Dead William E. Motley, 45, retired farmer of Lind, passed away from heart trouble at the Sacred Heart hospital, Spokane, early this week. Mr. Motley formerly conducted a ranch southwest of Lind in the Warden vicinity for some time, retiring a few years past to go into the dray and transfer business in Lind. For some time the deceased had suffered from heart trouble, and death was not entirely unexpected. Funeral services were held Tuesday. He is survived by his wife and six children, Rev. I. E. Moore officiated. Burial was made at the Greenwood cemetery.