Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 6, 1944 Adams County, Ritzville, WA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ ==================================================================== This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 6, 1944 A. J. Gill Dies WASHTUCNA - J. H. Gill received word Tuesday of the death of his brother, A. J. Gill, Monday evening in a Pendleton hospital. He suffered a heart attack after being a patient there for two weeks. Funeral services were held there Wednesday. His home was at Pilot Rock. Mrs. R. Leonard Dies Suddenly Mrs. Ray Leonard, 36, Ralston matron, died suddenly at her farm home yesterday morning. Although she had been in ill health for some time, her death came unexpectedly. Mrs. Dora Leonard of Ritzville and daughter, Margaret, had gone to the farm about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and found Mrs. Leonard quite ill. She died about 10 a.m. Her husband was in the field working. Funeral arrangements have not yet been set. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 13, 1944 Hold Last Rites For Mrs. Leonard Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at Emanuel Lutheran church for Mrs. Ray Leonard, 36, Ralston matron who died last Wednesday morning. The Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiated and burial was in the Lutheran cemetery in Ritzville. Mrs. Leonard had been in ill health for some time. Elsie Marie Leonard, nee Koeplin, was born Nov. 8, 1907, in Ritzville and attended local schools. She was married Feb. 7, 1929, to Ray Leonard and they made their home on a farm southeast of Ralston. She was a member of Emanuel Lutheran church, Ritzville, and a charter member of the Ralston Grange. Besides her widower, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Kroeger, Riverside, Calif., and Mrs. Amelia Nissen, Ritzville; and five brothers, Albert Koeplin, Greensboro, N. C.; Emil Koeplin, Elm Creek, Neb.; Richard, Henry and Otto, Ritzville. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 20, 1944 Mrs. Wm. Snyder, County Pioneer, Died Yesterday Death claimed another Adams county pioneer with the passing of Mrs. William Snyder Wednesday morning at her home in Washtucna after a long illness. Funeral services will be held at the Washtucna Community church Friday at 3 p.m. with interment in the Washtucna cemetery. Mrs. Snyder came to the county more than 52 years ago, when she was married to Mr. Snyder at Ritzville Feb. 16, 1892. At that time Ritzville streets were knee deep with dust or mud according to the season and groups of roving Indians frightened the young bride and persisted in visiting her until she induced her husband to build a high fence, with a lock on the gate, around their house on Ritzville's Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder celebrated their golden wedding with a large reception at the home of their son, Ralph Snyder, two years ago. From 1910 to 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder made their home in Spokane and for the last 29 years have lived in Washtucna. She was a member of the Evangelical church, a charter member of the Be Very Diligent club, a Daughter of the Nile and she was one of the organizers of the Washtucna chapter of Eastern Star. During her long residence in the county and especially during the years she spent as her husband's partner in the Snyder store, she acquired a wide circle of affectionate friends who were charmed by her sprightly vivacity, her generous hospitality and her warm bright-eyed friendliness. Mrs. Snyder, the daughter of John and Susanna Landis Sapp, was born Oct. 5, 1863, and grew up at Circleville, Ohio, which was also Mr. Snyder's boyhood home. Besides her widower, she is survived by two sons, Ralph W. and William E., both of Washtucna; a sister, Mrs. Kate Zehrung of Long Beach, Calif.; by five granddaughters, two grandsons and one great-grandson. Othello Pioneer Dies At Hospital John Hubner, Othello pioneer, died Friday at the Ritzville general hospital after a long illness. Hold Last Rites For D. McRae Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon from the Haight and Son Funeral parlor for Duncan McRae, 84, Benge pioneer who died Sunday after a short illness. The Rev. Peter Ruder officiated and burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Mr. McRae came to Adams county in 1884 and homesteaded north of Benge in 1889. He was born in Scotland Jan. 14, 1860, and came to the United States in 1884. After homesteading near Benge he farmed until 1898 when he joined the Alaska gold rush and spent five years in the Yukon. Mr. McRae was able to tell many interesting experiences of his "Gold Rush" days, having undergone many hardships. He returned to the United States five years later and made a trip to Scotland where he remained two years before returning to the Benge community about 1905. Upon his return he continued farming until 1941 when he sold his place to the late James Farrier and retired to a home in Benge, where he has since lived. Although his health had been failing, his death was unexpected. He was taken to the Ritzville hospital Sunday morning and died that night. His only known relatives are William Alec McRae of Marengo, a nephew, and a niece in Scotland. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 27, 1944 Henry Cordes Well-Known In Big Bend Area Funeral services for Henry Cordes, 54, manager of the Marcellus Farmer Elevator Co., for the past 16 years and well-known in Ritzville, were held this afternoon at the Emanuel Lutheran church with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. Burial was in the Odessa cemetery. Mr. Cordes died suddenly from a heart attack Monday morning. He suffered an attack last October and had been in failing health since then but he felt strong enough to continue working. His death came as quite a shock to his family and many friends since he had appeared to be improving recently. Having lived here and in the Odessa country most of his life, Mr. Cordes was well-known by nearly every one and took an active part in grange and lodge work. He was master of the Marcellus grange shortly after its organization and went through the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge. Born at Belvedere, Minn., Feb. 3, 1890, he came west with his parents to Ritzville in 1898. They homesteaded south of Odessa the following year and he attended rural school. He was married June 2, 1915, to Mary Lauer, and the couple moved to Marcellus where he operated a general merchandise store until October, 1926, when the store burned down. Mr. and Mrs. Cordes left Marcellus but returned a year later, when he accepted a position as manager of the elevator, which he held until his death. Besides his widow, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Marcella Hilding and Miss Marian Cordes, both at home; six sisters, Mrs. Katherine Kupers, Harrington, Mrs. Anna Luiten, Odessa, Mrs. Martha Ochs, Burlingame, Calif., Mrs. Mary Luiten, Edwall, Mrs. Della Zicha and Mrs. Rebecca Zicha, both of Odessa; three brothers, William, Spokane, Herman, Pullman, and Rudolph, Los Angeles, Calif., and one grandson. Hold Last Rites For H. Hubert Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at St. Agnes Catholic church for Harry Hubert, 60, pioneer of the Othello country who died Sunday night in the Ritzville hospital from a heart ailment. The Rev. C. M. Depiere officiated. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Mr. Hubert had been in ill health for some time. Born in Vancouver, Wash., July 27, 1885, Mr. Hubert moved with his parents to Boise, Ida., at an early age and spent his boyhood there. After he reached manhood he worked for the Union Pacific railroad in Boise until about 25 years ago when he went to the Russell ranch near Corfu in Grant county as foreman. The ranch, on Crab creek, is one of the well-known pioneer ranches in that country. Mr. Hubert was well-known in western Adams county and had a fine reputation for his honesty. He was married in March, 1919, and is survived by his widow, He was a member of the Catholic church. J. B. Wilson Othello Pioneer J. B. Wilson, 80, pioneer resident of Othello, died Tuesday night at his home. He had been in ill health for some time. Mr. Wilson had lived in Othello for 38 years and was among the early pioneers along lower Crab creek, having taken up a homestead in 1905. He farmed in that district until about two years ago when he sold out and moved into Othello. He was married in 1893 in Ohio and he and Mrs. Wilson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last December with an open house. In 1896 they came west and settled near Harrington, where they remained until 1905, when they moved to Crab creek. Besides his widow, he is survived by three sons, Thomas of Medical Lake, Leslie of Ellensburg, and Clarence of Othello; and one daughter, Mrs. Ida Michel, Spokane; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchlidren. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Mrs. Marie Hamburg Was Odessa Pioneer Mrs. Marie Hamburg, 72, Odessa pioneer, died last Friday at Ritzville general hospital after an extended illness. She had been in the hospital since June 28. Mrs. Hamburg was born in Russia and came to Odessa at an early age. She is survived by five daughters, Mrs. John Gettman, Wenatchee; Mrs. Clarence Krell, Mrs. Reuben Fink and Mrs. Katherine Kisler, all of Odessa; and a daughter in California; and two sons, Jake and Sam, Odessa. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 3, 1944 Hold Last Rites For Henry Woehr Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at Trinity Methodist church for Henry Woehr, former Ritzville resident, who died in Seattle recently. Mr. Woehr lived here until 1921 when he moved to Seattle, where he has since resided. The Rev. Clifford Knight officiated and burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Henry Woehr was born Jan. 4, 1854, in Madison, Ind. He was married in Ritzville in 1909 to Mrs. Ella Thompson. He was 90 years and 6 months old when he died. Preceding him in death were three brothers and two sisters, including Mrs. George Proctor of Ritzville, a sister. He was a member of the Ritzville Odd Fellows for a number of years. Surviving relatives are Mrs. John Couch of Long Beach, Calif. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 10, 1944 Nathan J. Selph Dies In Hospital Nathan J. "Pete" Selph, 23, well-known around Washtucna, died Wednesday morning in Oakland, Calif., following an appendectomy performed a week previous, according to word received in Washtucna yesterday. Mr. Selph was with the navy and had just returned on a short leave from the Pacific theater of action, when he was stricken with appendicitis. His wife, Mrs. Betty Selph of Washtucna, was with him at the time of his death. Besides his widow, he is survived by an infant daughter, Sheryl, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Selph, prominent farmers in the Kahlotus area. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. Former Warden Boy Killed Over France Otto Eichelberg, former Warden boy, was killed in action over France, according to word received in Warden Saturday evening. He was a paratrooper. His parents lived in the Warden district for many years before going to Montana and from there to Portland, Ore., where they now reside. Young Eichelberg was a member of the Warden church. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 17, 1944 Othello Worker Killed Yesterday William Winters, 57-year-old electrician, was electrocuted about 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon in the Milwaukee yards at Othello when he came in contact with a 5,500-volt wire while working atop an electric locomotive. Mr. Winters was climbing around the top of one of the Milwaukee's electric passenger engines when he accidently touched the pantagraph and was knocked unconscious. Fellow employees took him inside the cab and gave artificial respiration but he never gained consciousness. Louis Rothrock of the Washington Water Power Co., Ritzville, rushed to the scene with the power company's inhalator but was unable to revive the stricken man. His body was brought to Ritzville late yesterday afternoon. A single man, Mr. Winters did not have any known relatives. Louis Marmes Dies Following Surgery WASHTUCNA - Louis Marmes, pioneer resident of the Hooper community, died last Wednesday in Antigo, Wis., according to word received here today. He and Mrs. Marmes sold their farm along the Palouse river between Hooper and Washtucna only a month ago and moved back to Wisconsin because of his ill health. He underwent a major operation several weeks ago and never rallied. He and Mrs. Marmes had lived in this district for 36 years. Joseph Garrison Pioneered In Sand Hills Area Death came Saturday evening to Joseph B. Garrison, 87, pioneer farmer of southern Adams county and the Kahlotus district, at his home, after a long illness. Graveside funeral services were held at the Sand Hills cemetery Tuesday afternoon, with burial in the family plot. The Rev. F. J. Ahrendt of Ritzville officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison, "Uncle Joe" and "Aunt Eva," as they were familiarly known to relatives and friends, lived in the Kahlotus district many years and enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew them for their high moral and ethical standards. Born in Micolasville, Ky., Feb. 21, 1857, Joseph Brown Garrison was one of a family of seven children. In early youth he went to California and lived with a family in the only house then standing in what is now the city of Long Beach. In 1892, he came to Washington with his brother, J. J., and the pair took up homesteads east of Hatton in the Sand Hills country. Mr. Garrison was maried in 1898 to Miss Eva Miller at Pittsburgh, Penn., and they were among the pioneer wheat farmers of the Sand Hills district. Two children were born to them, a daughter dying in infancy, and a son, John, dying at the age of 10. They continued to farm until 1929 when they retired and went to California for several years. They returned to Washington in 1934 and took up their home in Kahlotus, where they have since resided. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church. Besides his widow, he is survived by one brother, Caleb, Victorville, Calif., and many nephews and nieces. Carlock's Nephew Dies Of Injuries LIND - Dan Carlock, received word this week that his nephew, Albert Carlock, died in Italy from wounds received in battle. He is a brother of Lenora Carlock, who attended the Lind school for a while. Mrs. Schoessler Funeral Sunday Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Philadelphia Congregational church for Mrs. Kathrina Schoessler, 80, Ritzville pioneer who died last Friday at the Ritzville hospital after a month's illness. The Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiated. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Kathrina Elisabeth Schoessler, nee Gottwig, was born Feb. 1, 1864, in Walter, North Russia. As a child she came with her father to the United States. In 1881, she married George Schoessler of Culbertson, Neb., and in 1882 they went back to Russia where they stayed for 14 years before returning to the United States. After living in Lincoln, Neb., for a short time, they came to Adams county where they made their home on a farm for some time. They retired to Ritzville in the 30s and Mr. Schoessler died in 1933. Mrs. Schoessler became ill in July and was taken to the Ritzville hospital, where she died. Fours sons and two daughters preceeded her in death. She is survived by five grandchildren, Harold, Clarence, Mary, Hannah and Esther, and two great grandchildren. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 24, 1944 Hold Last Rites For L. Marmes Funeral services were held Saturday morning, Aug. 12, in Antigo, Wis., for Louis Marmes, pioneer of the Hooper valley who died Aug. 9 at Antigo from complications following surgery. Burial was in the Elmwood cemetery in Antigo. Mr. Marmes was 64 years old. He had lived on a tract between Hooper and Washtucna for 40 years and was a member of Rimrock grange, Washtucna, and also a Modern Woodman. He was born in Elgin, Ill., and moved to Antigo with his parents when he was only three years old. Besides his widow, he is survived by eight brothers, Joe of Hooper, and the others in Wisconsin. Military Rites Held In Pasco For Pete Selph WASHTUCNA - Military funeral services for Nathan James (Pete) Selph, 23, aviation machinist mate 1st class, were held Tuesday afternoon in the Methodist church in Pasco. Chaplain Harold L. Proppe from the naval air station officiated. Pallbearers were men from the station. A firing squad was also in attendance. Interment was in City View cemetery. Pete Selph was born in Pasco Oct. 29, 1920, and spent his early boyhood there. He was in the 7th grade when his family moved to Kennewick. When he was ready for high school the family moved to Kahlotus, where he was graduated with the class of 1939. He was active in basketball and football and was well known through the Adams and Franklin county area. Dec. 27, 1941, he was married to Miss Betty Benton of Washtucna and prior to his enlistment he farmed in partnership with his father. He enlisted in the navy Jan. 17, 1944, and following his boot training, left immediately for sea duty. He spent four and a half months aboard an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific and saw action at Saipan with a task force. On his way home for his first leave he was stricken with appendicitis and died at Oak Knoll naval hospital in Oakland, Aug. 9. Survivors are his widow, baby daughter, Sheryl Lynne, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Selph of Kahlotus and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 31, 1944 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 7, 1944 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 13, 1944 Washtucna Boy Killed In Air Crash Recently Sgt. William I. Sellars, son of the late Franklin Sellars of Ritzville, was killed in an airplane crash over England recently, according to word received here this week. A radio operator on a bomber, he was on a routine training flight when the tragedy occurred. The son of F. C. and Margaret Sellars, Ritzville pioneers, Sergeant Sellars was born and raised in Adams county. He made his home during most of his boyhood with the late George Schaefer and Mrs. Schaefer near Washtucna and attended the Washtucna school. He was 22 years old, having been born Dec. 29, 1921. Sergeant Sellars enlisted in the army air corps in July, 1941, in Spokane, giving Washtucna as his home address. He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Roy M. Purves and Mrs. I. W. Johnson, both of Woodinville, Wash., and Mrs. Howard M. Wood, Spokane; and a half-brother, Franklin Sellars, Jr., of Ritzville. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 20, 1944 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 28, 1944 'Tucna Woman's Husband Killed WASHTUCNA - Lt. Ivan Erwin, who wife is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Murphy of Washtucna, was killed in action over Germany, according to word received last Thursday. He had recently been awarded the air medal and an oak leaf cluster and was stationed in France. Mrs. Erwin is a teacher in the Vancouver schools. Mrs Murphy and her niece, Mrs. Guyla Taylor, left immediately to be with her.