Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 4, 1940 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, 1940, issue Funeral For W. L. Long Tuesday Funeral services for Walter L. Long, of Sprague, 49, one-time Ritzville and Paha resident, were held Tuesday at the Christian Science church in Sprague with interment in the Sprague cemetery. Mr. Long was born Jan. 8, 1891, in Ritzville and lived here and in Paha until 1913 when he moved to Sprague. He farmed in Paha but upon moving to Sprague entered the dry cleaning business which he had since followed. Besides his wife, he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Dunlap, Elwood, Wash.; Mrs. Maude Collier, Steptoe; and Mrs. Hazel Sullivan, Washtucna; three brothers, Cal, Spokane; John, Almira, and Joe, Sprague, and one daughter. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 11, 1940, issue None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 18, 1940, issue Henry W. Purdy, 84, Dies In San Diego Henry W. Purdy, 84, one-time resident of Adams county, died in San Diego, Calif., June 16, according to word received here this week. He came to Ritzville in 1888 and farmed about 10 miles west of here until 1896, when he moved away. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 25, 1940, issue Mrs. Sarah Linden WASHTUCNA - Word was received here last week of the death of Mrs. Sarah Linden, 76, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hazel Michels in Ellensburg, Sunday, July 14. Mrs. Linden was well known in the community where she spent much time with her daughter, Mrs. Victor Mason. Born in Alvidburg, Sweden, she had been in this country 58 years and was a resident of Prosser for many years prior to her going to Ellensburg. She is survived by four children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild, one sister and two brothers. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 1, 1940, issue Funeral Held For 'Johnny' Stoops Colorful Career Ended By Death Funeral services for John C. Stoops, 52, Adams county clerk and one of this region's most colorful characters who died last Sunday in a Spokane hospital, were held yesterday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Richard D. Decker officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery with the local Oddfellows lodge attending. Mr. Stoops' death was not unexpected as he had been in ill health for a number of years and had been seriously ill off and on for over a year. "Johnny" as he was affectionately called by his hundreds of friends, became one of the most widely-known and colorful characters in Adams county through his association with the Ritzville Hill Billies. He was the outstanding comedian in the Hill Billies' many performances in the county and elsewhere and other members of the musical organization didn't consider their organization complete unless Johnny was with them. During the past year he was unable to make more than one or two appearances because of his illness. He played the banjo. Mr. Stoops began his career with the Hill Billies by playing "end man" in musical minstrel shows, and soon his unusal clowing ability became recognized wherever the Hill Billies appeared. He was born Jan. 27, 1888, in Arkansas and moved to Missouri with his parents at an early age. His parents came west when he was about 11 years old and settled in Ritzville. Mr. Stoops attended Ritzville high school, from which he was graduated in 1909, remaining a loyal member of the Alumni association since that date. He was very prominent during his school days as an all-around athlete, and was especially proficient as a baseball player. After graduating from high school, he worked for a time as an electrician, helping to wire what is now the Desert Hotel. He then worked in Davenny's store, learning the barbering trade on the side. He was married on June 20, 1912, to Miss Leota Cox, who had lived in Spokane only a few years, coming here from Minot, N.D. He soon entered the barber business with Jim Woods as his partner. Later on he entered partnership with G. "Slim" Nickell, who now lives in Lind. He operated the first shop of his own in what is now the liquor store. Later on he operated the shop in the Pastime Cigar store and still later bought the O. K. Shop, which he still owned at the time of his death. In 1938, Stoops ran for county clerk on the democratic ticket and won the election by a large vote. He had suffered periodically from rheumatism and a heart ailment for more than 15 years and during the last few years his condition became critical. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfellows lodge and was a past noble grand. Besides his widow, Leota, he is survived by one son, Haven of Spokane; two brothers, Sam of Wichita, Kan.; and Earl of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one sister, Mrs. Flora Johnson, Tacoma. J. Goodenough Of Vancouver Dies HATTON - A message to Oscar Goodenough stating that his brother, John, had passed away at his home in Vancouver from a heart attack, came as a great shock to his friends and relatives. John Goodenough was born in Michigan, 71 years ago and came to Michigan Prairie in 1887 where he farmed for a number of years and made a host of friends. He farmed on the flat for a number of years and later moved to Richland and from there to Vancouver where he has been living for some time. He was married to Mrs. Mella Atterbury, who preceded him in death, four brothers, Oscar, here; Jake of Spokane, Levi on the coast, Tom of Pullman, one sister, Mrs. A. J. Railsback, two step-children and a large number of nieces and nephews are left to mourn his loss. Paul Austin Dies WASHTUCNA - Mrs. Mike Austin was called to Chehalis Saturday by the death of Mr. Austin's father, Paul Austin on Friday. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with burial in Chehalis. Mike's mother is also in a critical condition at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Chas. Gwinn in Pasco. W. Kennedy Dies In California City W. R. Kennedy of San Francisco, former Ritzville resident, died June 22 in Brentwood, Calif., north of San Francisco, according to word received here this week from Mrs. Elizabeth Myers, his sister. Mr. Kennedy and his son-in-law, Jack Garrison, were attending a night ballgame when he was stricken with complete paralysis, dying the next evening without regaining consciousness. He and his wife were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Garrison at the time of his death. Mr. Kennedy was connected with the Myers-Shepley Co., here in the early days of the store. He was the youngest of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. William K. Kennedy, who moved from Iowa to a farm near Ritzville, while the children were small. Burial was in San Francisco. Besides his widow, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Irene Hodges of New York City and Mrs. John Garrison of Brentwood; and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Myers, Santa Ana, Calif. Mrs. M. Morris Dies At Rathdrum Mrs. Martha Morris of Rathdrum, Ida., mother of Mrs. Bill Irwin, died Wednesday of last week at her home in Rathdrum and funeral services were held the following Friday in Rathdrum. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery the same day at 5 p.m. Mrs. Morris had lived in Rathdrum about 15 years and prior to that time lived in Ritzville having been an old pioneer here. She was 76 years old. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Irwin and Mrs. Evertt Wagner of Rathdrum; and three boys, Hickman of Newport; Ben and Richard, both of Vay, Ida. Grave Services Held For Harold Jeffries Grave services for Harold Jeffries, 51, transient who died recently, were held at the Ritzville cemetery Tuesday with the Rev. Richard Decker officiating. Jeffries was found ill in a railroad car on a siding in Washtucna July 12, and died Sunday of chronic nephritis. The sheriff's office was unable to locate any of his relatives. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 8, 1940, issue Grant Harper Dies On Island In Lake Grant Harper, 74, pioneer resident of Harper's Island in Sprague lake, was found dead on the island near his home yesterday. His body was in a bad state of decomposition, indicating that he had evidently been dead for several days. It is believed he probably dropped dead from a heart attack about last Saturday. He will be buried in the Ritzville cemetery today. Mr. Harper was a colorful figure. He had lived on the island for about 30 years and earned his living by raising mink and other fur-bearing animals. At one time, he raised skunks for fur. Only known relatives are one sister, Mrs. Kate Crowell of Missouri; a nephew, O. H. Bowdre of Spokane, and a niece, Mrs. F. I. Maxwell of St. John. A. R. Helme In County 54 Years Death Discovered By Mrs. A. Schlecht WASHTUCNA - The Washtucna community was saddened Saturday morning by the sudden death of A. R. Helme, better known as "Bash." He was found dead early Saturday morning by Mrs. A. E. Schlecht who was accompanying her son, Bob, on his paper route. "Bash" had always met the boy when he delivered his paper, but on this morning did not, so Mrs. Schlecht went to his door and not being able to raise anyone, opened the door and found him laying on his bed. She immediately called the doctor and it is believed "Bash" passed away from heart trouble about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. He came to this community in 1886, 54 years ago from Illinois and has lived here since with the exception of a few years spent with his sister in California. He made his home here for many years with his sister, Mrs. J. W. Sitton, later building a home in Washtucna where he died. He was born in Pike County, Ill., near Hartford on March 6, 1864, and died at the age of 76 years. He is survived by two brother-in-laws, J. E. Brown of Garden Grove, Calif., J. W. Sitton of Washtucna; three nieces, Mrs. L. C. Metze of Banning, Calif., Mrs. J. L. Breneman, Spokane, and Mrs. Murlyn Leonard; five nephews, Fey and Ray Sitton of Washtucna, Owen Sitton of Davenport, Irl Sitton of Spokane and Virgil Brown of Calif., and a great host of friends. Graveside services were held Monday morning at 11 a.m. at the Washtucna cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 15, 1940, issue Fix No Blame For Dawson's Death WASHTUCNA - The death of Robert W. Dawson, Washtucna town marshal, was due to natural causes, a corner's jury investigating the cause of his death determined this morning. The jury heard testimony by Drs. Forrest Tomlinson, R. E. Morton, Wendell H. Sweet and O. J. Morehead, Mrs. Robert Dawson, Mrs. Fred Passew, Sheriff Joe Schafer and Deputy Paul Plager. Dawson suffered a paralytic stroke Aug. 1 following an altercation with several drunken men on the streets of Washtucna. He died Monday at the Allen home here. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 22, 1940, issue Robert W. Dawson Funeral services for Robert W. Dawson were held at the Haight funeral home in Ritzville last Friday, with A. K. Walborn, pastor of the Washtucna Community church officiating. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery. Robert William Dawson was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 26, 1895, and died in Ritzville Aug. 12, 1940, at the age of 44 years. He left England at the age of 18 for Regina, Saskatchewan, where he served three years with the Royal Canadian Mounted police from which he was given an honorable discharge because of foot trouble. He came to the United States in 1921 and resided in the state of Washington until his death. He had been a resident of Washtucna for the past 10 years and served as town marshal for the past three years. He was stricken with paralysis while on duty Aug. 1 from which he never recovered. Surviving are his widow and two children, Robert Jr., and Doris. Also his mother, four brothers and three sisters in England. Hold Last Rites For Otto Richter Funeral services for Otto Richter, 74, retired, who died Sunday at his home here, were held Tuesday morning at the Emanuel Lutheran church with the Rev. E. A. Rein officiating. Burial was in the Kennewick cemetery, following grave services Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Richter had been ill for some time and his death was not unexpected. Mr. Otto Richter was one of a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, born Aug. 13, 1866, in Philadelphia, Pa. His twin sister died in infancy. In his early youth he went with his parents to Germany, where he received his education. At the age of 14 he left his home for travels around the world. He came to Washington in 1888, living near Ritzville for a time. In 1892, he was united in marriage to Rosa Shephard and to this union were born seven children. One son died in infancy and one daughter, Frances, died in 1939. In 1911 Mr. and Mrs. Richter moved to the Kennewick and Pasco country, where they lived until 1937, when they moved to Ritzville. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Besides his widow, he is survived by three sons, Karl of San Diego, Calif., A. M. of Prosser and Rudy of Ritzville; and two daughters, Mrs. A. Oliver of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. C. K. Haas of Tacoma. Smalley Funeral Held In Sprague Victim of Tragedy Well-Known Here Funeral services for Park N. Smalley, pioneer Sprague resident well-known in Ritzville, who met a tragic death at Loon lake last Sunday, were held Tuesday afternoon at the Community Congregational church in Sprague. Mr. Smalley was fishing from a boat with R. B. Ott, Ritzville attorney and his brother- in-law, when he suddenly became violently ill. He stood up in the boat, suddenly stiffened and fell overboard, according to eye witnesses. The boat was tipped over and Ott also fell into the water, but was able to hang onto the boat. Mr. Smalley's body never came to the surface after once sinking. H. A. "Dad" Krueger of Ritzville and Mr. Smalley's son, Donald, were fishing in a boat nearby when the tragedy occurred. The body was recovered about an hour later by grappling hooks. The accident happened about 8 a.m. Whether Smalley was dead before he fell into the lake or whether he died from drowning has not been determined. Mr. Smalley has been engaged in the insurance business in Sprague since 1916, being associated with W. A. Hall. He also has extensive farm land interests. He was a member of the Ritzville Golf club and made frequent visits to Ritzville. He came to Sprague in 1911 from Ohio and worked as a bookkeeper for the Rochdale store for a year before buying an interest in the insurance firm. He was a past master of the Sprague Masonic lodge, member of the El Katif Shrine of Spokane, a charter member of the Sprague American Legion as well as past president of the Sprague Chamber of Commerce. Besides his widow, Alta, he is survived by one son, Donald. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 29, 1940, issue L. C. Huffman 52 Years In County Funeral services for L. C. Huffman, 73-year-old Hooper pioneer who died Sunday at his farm home between Hooper and Washtucna, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Washtucna Community church with the Rev. A. K. Walborn officiating. Mr. Huffman had been ill for some time and was out in his orchard shooting crows when he dropped dead. Linzy Clark Huffman was born in Illinois Feb. 12, 1867, and came to Adams county 52 years ago. He settled first on a large hay and alfalfa ranch near Hooper, but a few years later the family moved to Hooper, where he was janitor of the Hooper school house for a number of years. He returned lately to the ranch on which he lived when he died. Besides his widow, he is survived by one son, Robert of Hooper; one daughter, Mrs. Roy Hille, Hooper; a sister, Hanna J. Scott of Spokane, and a brother, Dan, of Everett. Ray Bauman Dies At Home In Zenith Ray Bauman, son of L. P. Bauman of Zenith, Wash., former vice president of the Centennial Mills and former local resident, died recently as the result of burns received several years ago. He was living in Zenith at the time of his death. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 5, 1940, issue None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 12, 1940, issue Hold Funeral For James S. Helme Funeral services for James S. Helme, Washtucna resident who died Sunday in Spokane, were held this afternoon at the Washtucna Community church with the Rev. A. K. Walborn officiating. Mrs. Lillie Peters Was Early Settler Mrs. Lillie Ann Peters, widow of the late William R. Peters of Ritzville, died after a brief illness Thursday in Long Beach, Calif., according to information received this week. The Peters' moved to Ritzville in 1896 and left in 1922, living here 26 years. Mr. Peters was in the harness and saddlery business. Mrs. Peters is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Fay L. Brown, San Fernando, Calif.; four brothers, James H. Lewis, Spokane; Jesse L. and Davis S. Lewis, Grand Coulee, Wash.; Fred D. Lewis, Long Beach, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Honefenger, and Mrs. Laura B. Johnson, both of Spokane. Funeral Friday For Mrs. Kagele Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Zion Congregational church for Mrs. Margaret Kagele, 66, Ritzville pioneer who died Sunday, with the Rev. F. Burkhardt officiating. Mrs. Kagele has been ill since last March when she underwent a major operation, from which she never fully recovered. Margaret Kagele nee Eiseman was born Dec. 18, 1873, in Huffnugsfeld, Russia. She was married Jan. 1, 1895, to Jacob Kagele and seven years later came to the U. S. settling on a homestead 22 miles west of Ritzville. In 1924, the couple moved to Ritzville. She joined the Zion Congregational church of this city the same year and has continued an active member from that time. Besides her widower, she is survived by five sons, Jake, Fred, John and George, all of this city, and Bill of Glendale, Calif.; two daughters, Katherine Schwerin of Cheney and Mrs. Lydia Dirks, Ritzville; five brothers and two sisters, of whom two brothers and two sisters, of whom two brothers and one sister remain in Russia. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 19, 1940, issue Mrs. M. Edwards Dies Wednesday After collapsing unsconscious during the noon hour in a local restaurant, Mrs. Mona E. Edwards, middle-aged, of Spokane, died at the Huppert hospital at 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, of a cerebral hemorhage. She was the wife of E. A. Edwards of Spokane. According to witnesses at the restaurant, Mrs. Edwards was in apparent good health when she and her husband entered the cafe. Mrs. Edwards regained consciousness once during the afternoon, sufficiently to recognize her husband, attendants at the hospital said. The body was taken to the Hazen & Jaeger funeral home in Spokane the same evening and funeral services were held Saturday. Mrs. Edwards was one of the several defendants in a land case being tried here Wednesday. Because of her death, the case was postponed until November 20. Hold Sackmann Funeral Sunday Funeral services for Gottlieb Sackmann, 63, pioneer farmer of Lind, were held in the Lind school gymnasium Sunday with the Rev. H. Hoersch officiating. Sackmann was born in Russia and came to Adams county in 1901. He was the father of 18 children, 17 of whom survive him. All the children except one were born in Adams county. Surviving him are his widow, seven sons, Emil, Godfrey, Reinhold, Martin, Albert, William and Alfred, ten daughters, Hilda and Margaret Sackmann, Mrs. Ted Fode, Mrs. William Fode of Cheney, Mrs. Ted Borth, Mrs. Ernest Heider, Mrs. Otto Wahl, Mrs. Otto Krug of Hatton, Mrs. Walter Bigger of Enterprise, Ore., Mrs. Alfred Overwald of Yakima and a number of grand- children. Hold J. S. Helme Funeral Services WASHTUCNA - Funeral services for J. S. Helme, an old settler in this community, were held Thursday from the Washtucna Community church with Rev. A. K. Walborn officiating. Mr. Helme had been failing fast the last few years and had just returned from a visit to California about two months ago. He passed away at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane on Monday. James S. Helme was born in Pittsfield, Ill., on Oct. 10, 1868, and passed away Sept. 8, 1940, at the age of 71 years. He came to Washington a young man and proved himself on a homestead along with land that he purchased. Mr. Helme moved to Sunnyside, Wash., ten years later where he met and married Miss Mattie Alexander. From Sunnyside he moved to Montana, returning to Adams county a few years later and has resided here since. His wife passed away 9 years ago. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Mays of St. Helens, Ore., and Mrs. Sarah Ator of Pittsfield, Ill., a number of nephews and nieces, and a host of friends. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 26, 1940, issue Mrs. Kembel Dies Of Heart Ailment Mrs. Maria Barbara Kembel, 76, died Monday, Sept. 23, after being ill for two weeks with a heart ailment. She was buried Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the Lutheran cemetery. The Rev. E. A. Rein officiated. Mrs. Kembel was born Sept. 18, 1864, in Kolb, Russia. She spent the early years of her life there. In 1883, she was married to George Kembel. They came to Ritzville in June, 1900. Since the death of her husband in 1932, she has lived with the daughters in San Francisco. She is survived by her son, George, of Colfax, two daughters, Rose and Ruth, of San Francisco and six grandchildren. West Funeral Is Held Tuesday The body of Mrs. Mary West, widow of Jonathon West, of Spokane, was brought to Ritzville Tuesday morning and graveside services were conducted by the Rev. R. D. Decker. Interment was made in the local cemetery beside her husband who preceded her in death many years ago. She and her husband came to this locality in 1902 and she remained here until 1906. Mrs. West is survived by her daughters, Mrs. J. E. Newbry of Spokane, Mrs. J. H. Fuller of Pasco and Mrs. Lucretia Long of Jenkins, Mo. There are 23 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.