Towanda Masonic Butler County Kansas

FARIS, LENORA Mrs. Lenora Faris Dies Late Monday Mrs. Lenora Faris, of Sayre, Okla., died here late yesterday afternoon following an illness of approximately four weeks. She was 81 years old. Mrs. Faris succumbed to complications resulting from a broken hip sustained in a fall December 26 while visiting at Augusta. The Oklahoma woman was brought to the Allen Memorial Hospital and because of her advanced age, complications set in and her condition became steadily worse. The body was sent to Kansas City today where services will be held and interment made. Mrs. Faris was born at Charleston, Ill, July 21, 1855, and had resided at Sayre for some time. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Ida M. Zane, of Kansas City, Kans., and Mrs. Belle Henry of Charleston, Ill. The Arnold-Adams Funeral Home was in charge. (Taken from the El Dorado Times – January 19, 1937 – transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FERGUSON, INFANT DAUGHTER The funeral of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Ferguson was held from the home on Merchant street this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. Rev. Burns conducted the services and burial took place in Belle Vista cemetery. (Walnut Valley Times, September 12, 1902, Volume XXXIII Number 34 ~ transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FERGUSON, OSCAR J. DIES AT AGE 94 Oscar J. Ferguson, 94, retired rural mail carrier who reportedly originated the rural route out of Latham, died yesterday evening at his home, 515 North Emporia. He had been ill several months. He came to Kansas as a child with his parents from the Columbus, Ohio, area where he was born May 23, 1864. The family settled in Wilson county. Mr. Ferguson lived in Wilson county and later in Latham until 1933 when he came to El Dorado. He retired as a mail carrier in 1932. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. He was married on March 27, 1901, in Oronogo, Mo., to Haie May Scates. She survives. Mr. Ferguson was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, Walnut Camp No. 70. Services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. from the Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Sunset Lawns Cemetery. Besides his wife, Mr. Ferguson is survived by six sons, Raymond, Huron, Ohio, Torn, Little Rock, Ohio, Horner, of Augusta, Merrit, Wichita, Harlam, El Dorado and Max, of Arkansas City; four daughters, Mrs. Pearl Ferguson, Denver Colo., Mrs. Fern Brannon, Enid, Okla., Mrs. Alice Daniels, Garden City, and Mrs. Evelyn Mullett, of Topeka; 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. A son, George, died in 1952. (El Dorado Times ~ Monday, 30 June 1958 ~ Transcribed by Lori DeWinkler)

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FIELDER, ROBERT A telegram from J. R. Holloway, announces the death yesterday morning of Robert Fielder, in the Sister's Hospital at Ft. Worth, Texas. No partliculars. Mr. Fielder was formerly a clerk in the Boston Store in this city and went with the Holloways to Ft. Worth this fall. (Walnut Valley Weekly December 27, 1890 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FINEFOCK, MILTON ~ WADSOCK, B. ~ HOLT, J.N. CAR OF POWDER EXPLODES THREE MEN KILLED AND TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED – RUNAWAY CAR OF POWDER CRASHES INTO FREIGHT TRAIN NEAR BEAUMONT The dead: MILTON FINEFOCK, fireman, Enid, Oklahoma B. WADSOCK, thresher, Atlanta, Kansas J. N. HOLT, brakeman, of Vernon, Texas The injured: Engineer Lew Bird of Blackwell O. T.; formerly of El Dorado B. Orrill, thresher, Springfield, Mo. Fred Orr, thresher, Atlanta, Kansas. A runaway car loaded with gun powder crashed into a freight train three miles south of Beaumont last night at 8:30. Part of the powder ignited and a terrific explosion followed which killed two men and seriously maimed three others. A freight train which had the powder car stopped at Beaumont to do some switching. The trainmen were afraid of the powder car and while working the rest of the train set it out on the branch of the road leading southwest from Beaumont to Winfield and into Oklahoma. The brakeman on the car tried to set the brakes but they would not work. The car was on a down grade and when the brakeman found that he could not stop it he jumped off. The switch engine started after the runaway car and the mad race against death was on. The engine men knew the freight train was approaching from the south. The clumsy locomotive was sent along over the rough track under full headway and frightful speed in endeavor to catch the runaway car, which by this time was running swiftly and carrying the messenger of death to human beings. Three times they bumped into the car but the couplers failed to connect. As they rounded a curve they saw the headlight of the approaching freight. The race against death was over and they had to stop to save their own lives, but a short distance from where the collision occurred. The collision was terrific – an awful, unmeasureable force. The powder car was blown to atoms and the engine and several other cars were demolished. The jar was so great the earth trembled and to such an extent that it was felt in El Dorado, a distance of twenty-eight miles. Windows were broken out in Beaumont and buildings in Keighley, Latham and Leon were violently shaken. The greater force of the explosion was in an upward direction. The bodies of the men who were killed were blown to a great height and fell about fifty feet from the place of the exposion. The engineer of the freight train jumped before the collision occurred and escaped with a few severe bruises and slight burns. The fireman and a thresher who was beating his way in a car of threshing machinery were killed. The fireman only lived a few minutes but the other man lived until about two o’clock this morning. The fireman’s body was horribly burned and lacerated. The other had a piece of wood or iron driven nearly through his body. The head brakeman and another thresher, a companion of the one who was killed, were seriously injured. They were taken to Springfield, Missouri, last night, to the hospital. The conductor and rear brakeman were in the caboose when the explosion occurred and escaped injury. Brakeman Holt died before he reached the hospital. When the jar of the earth was felt here and at other points in the county, and the flare of light was seen there was much speculation as to the cause. It was reported at first that a meteor had fallen in the vicinity of Keighley and many believed it to be an earthquake. A passenger train was following within about three miles of the freight train. R. C. Ruland, a young man whose home is in Augusta, and who was in the city today was among the passengers who were on it. He aided in caring for the maimed and the dead and tells a graphic story of the disaster, confusion, the dead, the agaony and sufferings of the injured, and the awful scene he witnessed by the fitful glare of the lanterns. Coroner Hunt, Sheriff Young and County Attorney Rees drove to Beaumont today. Some young men from Beaumont who took a hand car to go to a dance south of the town, had been off the track but a few minutes when the runaway car passed. If they had been a few minutes later doubtless all would have been killed. Soon after the explosion an inquiry was received from Yates Center, asking what had happened over here. Trainmen say the shock could be felt there – a distance of about fifty miles. Wm. Morledge, who was down from Sycamore, says the concussion could be felt there – twenty miles north of El Dorado. (Walnut Valley Times, September 18, 1903, Volume XXXIV, Number 35 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FISHER, MRS. LOUISA Died at the former home of her grandson, Elmer Fisher, September 20, Mrs. Louisa Fisher, aged 79. Deceased came with her family, three sons, Charles, Eddie and Henry to Kansas in 1871. Many years she has suffered from rheumatism. The past year was spent in Louisiana in hopes the climate would restore her again to health, but to no avail. Arriving home a few days ago she sank rapidly. An estimable lady has gone leaving a Christian life as an example. She was affectionate in the highest degree. The funeral services were held in the M. E. Church. Rev. S. P. Gale officiating. Burial in the Andover cemetery. (Walnut Valley Times, September 26, 1902 Volume XXXIII Number 36 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FLEGLER, L.E. L. E. Flegler Dies at 58 Luther E. Flegler, 58, El Dorado, brother-in-law of Virgil Squires of Augusta, died Friday at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His service will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado. Rev. Don Swender will officiate and burial will be in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. He was born Feb. 12, 1922 in Russell to Alex and Martha Deines Flegler. He married Darlene Squires Sept. 19, 1942 in Russell. She survives. He was a trucker and an oil pumper. He also had worked for the Butler County Highway Department. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the VFW. Other survivors include a son, Gary, and two daughters, Cheryl Flegler and Teresa Poe all of El Dorado, two brothers, Albert Flegler of Russell, and Benny Flegler of Las Vegas, Nevada, a sister, Fern Wilheim of Hoisington, and two grandchildren. (El Dorado Times ~ January 12, 1981 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FORD, WILLIAM Died at his home in Cassody, February 15, Wm. Ford, aged 72 years. The old gentleman has been ailing for some time and his death was anticipated. He leaves an aged wife, two sons and two daughters, C. R. Ford of Sycamore – Mrs. Henry Freeman of Chase county, Mrs. Tom Freeman of Sumner county and Monroe Ford of Decatur, Illinois. All will be at his funeral tomorrow at 2 p.m. (The Walnut Valley Times ~ February 19, 1904 ~ Number XXXV, Number 5 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FORGY, A. J. The funeral of A. J. Forgy yesterday was very largely attended. The remarks by Rev. A. P. Aten were very beautiful and consoling. The Knights of Phythias and Woodmen joined in services at the grave. The flowers from friends and the two orders were remarkable for profusion and beauty. (Walnut Valley Times, March 14, 1902, Volume XXXIII Number 8 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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A SUDDEN DEATH

A. J. Forgy, familiarly known as "Andy", died last night shortly after 10:30 o'clock, from heart trouble. Yesterday he was apparently as healthiol as ever, without a complaint, the same jovial fellow greeting his friends with a smile or a joke as he has for years. Last evening he was at home, reading the papers. He went to bed about 10:40 and had been there but a few minutes before he expired. He was born in Mifflin, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1819. He came to Kansas in 1871 and located on a farm near Douglass. Later he moved to the town and opened a grocery store. Later he moved to El Dorado which has been his home for the last thirteen years. He has been in the hotel business most of this time. December 25, 1873 he was married to Anna F. Heshley. His wife and four children survive him. The children are Earl, Misses Icy and Newell and Mrs. T. N. Purcell of Newton. Earl and Miss Icy were at home last night. Miss Newell is teaching at Pontiac. She was informed of her father's death by telephone and came in early this morning. Mrs. Purcell will be here this afternoon. Mr. Forgy carried $2,000 insurance in the Modern Woodmens of America and was a member of the K.P. The funeral will be from the home Sunday afternoon at 2:30. The funeral sermon will be preached by Rev. A. P. Aten and services will be conducted by the orders of which Mr. Forgy was a member. (Walnut Valley Times, March 14, 1902 Volume XXXIII, Number 6 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FORGY, ANNA - Mrs. Anna Forgy died at her home on Oskaloosa street February 22, after many weeks of illness, many months of failling health. Her friends have watched with keenest solicitude her battle with death. No human skill could aid or save her longer for this life. Anna Frances Heshley was born in Newton, Hamilton county, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1854. She came to Wichita alone in December 1878 and was met and married on Christmas Day by her lover Andrew J. Forgy, who died some three or four years ago. Theirs was a real romance and stirred the pulses of pioneers of those days. They resided on their farm near Douglass for several years. There four children were born to them. Mrs. Claude Villars of Kiowa, Mrs. Arthur Clayon of Pontiac, Mrs. Newton Purcell of Gordon and Earl Forgy of El Dorado. In 1880 the family came to El Dorado and some time after bought the White House, a well- known hotel. Mrs. Forgy was of sweet and lovable disposition an excellent woman indeed. She was a member of the Fraternal Aid Association of the Knights and Ladies of Security and of the Rathbone Sisters and Royal Neighbors. The funeral will be held from the family home tomorrow, February 24, at 3:20 under the auspices of these fraternities. (Same paper different column) The funeral of Mrs. Anna Forgy this afternoon was very largely attended. Such beauteous flowers and floral emblems as rested upon her coffin were emblematic of the sweet and kindly remembrance of one who deserved to be remembered. Mrs. Forgy’s body was laid beside that of her husband in Belle Vista. (The Walnut Valley Times ~ February 26, 1904 ~ Number XXXV, Number 6 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FREDERICKSON, MRS. ELIZA EVELYN Resident of Benton Dies Mrs. Eliza Evelyn Frederickson, 73, a resident of Benton for the past 15 years, died last night at the home of a daughter in Towanda after an illness of three months. Mrs. Frederickson was a member of the Baptist Church. Surviving are five daughters: Mrs. Fred Barnett, Towanda, Mrs. Cora McKaughan, Towanda; Mrs, Nancy Perkins, Bellingham, Wash.; Mrs. Stena Wilcox, Scott City; and Mrs. Viola Miller, Moundridge; three sons, Thomas and Andrew Frederickson, of Santa Monica, Calif.; and Paul, of Towanda; one sister, Mrs. May Anderson, Bellingham, Wash.; and 13 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. The Hammer Funeral Home is in charge. (The El Dorado Times, February 17, 1932 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FULTON, C. R., one of Wichita’s most prominent and successful business men died of diabetes, October 19. His death brings regret to numerous friends and acquaintances. Mr. Fulton visited California and Colorado last winter but failed to find the boon he sought, health. He had announced a clearing sale of his great clothing business, but his effort began too late and the sale is declared off. It was to have begun at 9 o’clock this morning. (Walnut Valley Times, October 24, 1902 Volume XXXIII, Number 40 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)

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FULTON, SAMUEL C. A PIONEER DEAD Died, Saturday night, 11 o’clock, December 12, Samuel C. Fulton, aged 76 years. Mr. Fulton had a stroke of paralysis something more than two years ago which with subsequent shocks have left him constantly weaker until the end came and he gave up the struggle. The funeral occurs tomorrow Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. from the home of his daughter Mrs. Ida Fulton-Robison on Emporia street, conducted by Rev. F. M. McCormick of Douglass. Mrs. Fulton died in 1895. Surviving them are E. J. Fulton on the old home farm south of Towanda, mrs. Ida Robison, Frank and Eva Fulton of El Dorado. He will be buried at Towanda. Mr. Fulton was a pioneer at Towanda in 1860. For the pioneer edition of the Times he wrote in 1895; Sam Carter, John Lawton and mother and my family arrived in Butler county June 1st, 1860. We camped at Sycamore Springs over night. Next day we went as far as Chelsea. There the people being religiously inclined were holding a meeting in Capt. Geo. T. Donaldson’s house, when someone happened to see our “Prairie Schooner” coming and the meeting was adjourned to see what it meant. While there, I got acquainted with Geo. T. Donaldson, Martin Vaught, Judge J. C. Lambdin, Doctor Lewellyn and others who tried to persuade us to locate there, but we started for the Whitewater and would not stop. (The Walnut Valley Times ~ December 18, 1903 ~ Volume XXXIV, Number 48 ~ Transcribed by Peggy Luce)