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 sgardner@ritzcom.net ==================================================================== Adams County News, April 3, 1901, issue DIED: Jamieson-April 1, 1901, at Clarkston, Asotin county, Washington, William Jamieson, aged 40 years, two months and eight days, of lagrippe. Deceased was a single man and an elder brother of Cha Jamieson, a young farmer of Willis, this county, who left on last evening's train to attend the funeral which occurs today at Lewiston. J. Vordramo The body of J. Vordramo was found on Providence hill, about 27 miles west of Ritzville recently. A case of suicide. Adams County News, April 24, 1901, issue DIED: Peterson-Thursday, April 25, 1901, at his home on Crab Creek, Lincoln county, Swan Peterson, aged 68 years. Adams County News, May 8, 1901, issue Geo. M. Westfall Geo. M. Westfall, formerly a bartender for O. M. Lee, was drowned accidentally on April 23, at Vancouver, Wash., while pleasure boat riding on the Columbia River and his body was recovered May 4. He was unmarried, 36 years of age and his parents are old and respected pioneers of Albany, Ore. Adams County News, May 22, 1901, issue DIED: Mrs. Cora M. Lervis, at the home of her parents near Delight, April 23. Funeral services were held at the Delight school house, Rev. T.I. Childers officiating, assisted by T. M. Morgan. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra B. Moore and was born near LaCygne, Kansas, December 9th, 1879. Her parents moved to Washington when she was but four years old and have resided in Adams County since 1890. She united with the church of Christ in 1890. She was united in marriage to J. Claude Lervis of Delight on Nov. 28, 1900. She was a kind and loving wife and a consecrated Christian beloved by all who knew her. Her body was laid to rest in the Delight cemetery being witnessed by the largest concourse of people ever assembled on such an occasion at that place. She leaves a husband, father and mother to mourn her departure. To her many friends we extend the deepest sympathy. Adams County News, June 19, 1901, issue Frank Shepley Last Saturday the city was in a state of sorrow mourning the loss of one of its oldest and most highly respected citizens, the subject of this sketch, who died at 8 o'clock Thursday evening at his home on Second street. Less than a week before he was waiting upon customers in his store and apparently in good health. Last Sunday week he was suddenly attacked with a slight stroke of paralysis, gradually growing worse until death ensued, the immediate cause being heart failure. His faithful, white-haired wife, one daughter and his only son were at his bedside when he expired, heart-broken witnesses to the closing scene in life's great drama, when the last goodbye is spoken and the spirit takes its flight at the call of the dread messenger. Benjamin Franklin Shepley was born at Dover, Maine, Nov. 18, 1828, his boyhood days being spent in that state. At the age of twenty-two on Aug. 21, 1850, in the city of Providence, R. I., he was united in marriage to Miss Ann L. Johnson with whom he lived most happily for fifty-one years and who now survives him. To them were born three children, Anna C., who died in Minnesota Feby. 15, 1871, aged 12, Mrs. Elia A. Fasset and Fred B., the latter having been associated with his father in business here for the past thirteen years. The deceased arrived in Ritzville June 5, 1888, from Avoca, Iowa, and constantly since then has been one of the most prominent and familiar figures in the growth and up building of our town. He was made an Oddfellow in Minneapolis nearly thirty years ago and the large turnout of the members of Ritzville Lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F., was convincing evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by that fraternity. He was a most exemplary, quiet and unassuming citizen who loved his home, family, country and friends, and in passing no blemish on ihs private or public life to mar his character. Those who knew him best prized and revered his acquaintance most. The funeral occurred at 2 p.m., Rev. Frank E. Whitham, pastor of the Congregational church conducting the services at the residence. During the morning hours the remains laid in state at the home and the firm and kindly face lying in perfect repose was viewed by many who came for a last look. The plain black, rich casket covered and strewn with flowers and floral decorations so relieving by their presence upon a silver plate born the following inscription, "At Rest B. F. Shepley, died June 13, 1901, aged 73." In somber hue and with quiet tread the sad procession moved to the Spanjer cemetery where interrment of the body took place attended by a large concourse of people from the city and vicinity. All the principal places of business in the city were fittingly closed during the impressive ceremonies and an air of seriousness appropriately surrounded the occasion.