Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

BARNES, ALFRED

Pneumonia Causes Death of Two Boys

Pneumonia caused the death of two El Dorado boys last night. Both died at St. Luke's hospital where they had been receiving treatment for several days.
John Silas Monday aged 8 son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Monday, 208 North Gordy Street, died at 11 o'clock. He had been ill for about a week.

John was born September 29, 1914 in Arkansas. In addition to his parents he is survived by five brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning at the Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be made in West Cemetery.

The other youth, who died was Alfred Barnes, aged 19 months, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Barnes, who live three miles northeast of El Dorado. Death occurred shortly after 11 o'clock.

The baby was born at Red Rock, Okla., and came here with his parents about fourteen months ago. Besides his parents, the baby is survived by a sister, Evelyn Barnes, aged 4.

Funeral services were held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the parlors of the El Dorado Undertaking Company. Burial was made in West Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, January 13, 1923)

BENNETT, HULDA

Undersheriff's Niece Dies at Augusta

E. E. McKnight, undersheriff, was called to Augusta this morning by the death last night of his niece, Miss Hulda Bennett. Details concerning her death had not reached El Dorado this morning, further than that she died at the Augusta Hospital early last night. (El Dorado Times, no date given)

CHANCE, ARISTA

Funeral services over the body of Arista Chance of Andover is Dead

Funeral services over the body of Arista Chance aged 53 years, who died at Wichita, Tuesday were held yesterday afternoon at Chapel Church, four miles north of Rose Hill. Burial was made in the Dunlap Cemetery.

Mr. Chance was a resident of Andover for a number of years. He was widely known in the southwest part of the county. The deceased came to Kansas in 1888 from Corning, Iowa. He was a member of the Friends Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Flora Chance; three daughters, Mrs. Marjorie Wheeler, Misses Mona and Josephine Chance; five brothers, J. M. Chance, Rose Hill, Kan.; Andrew Chance, Wayne, Neb.; M. R. Chance, Wichita; S. G. Chance, Andover, and Enoch Chance, Prescott, Ia.; two sisters, Mrs. Sadie Brown of Augusta and Mrs. Sarah Curtis of Huron, S. D. (El Dorado Times, Thursday, January 11, 1923)

DAVIS, PEARL LUCRETIA

Mrs. Pearl Davis Died Yesterday

Mrs. Pearl Lucretia Davis, aged 21, died yesterday afternoon at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Sherman in Riverside after an illness of a week. No funeral arrangements had been made at noon today.

Mrs. Davis lived at Oil Hill. When she became ill she was removed to the home of her parents. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Davis is survived by two children, a girl aged 2 years and a son aged 2 months. The Davises were married in March 1919.

Mrs. Davis was born and reared in El Dorado. She had lived here all her life. She was a graduate of the El Dorado schools and had a large number of friends in the community.

In addition to her husband, two children and parents, Mrs. Davis is survived by a brother, Floyd Sherman. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 12, 1923)

DENNETT, HULDA

Fatally Injured when Car Upsets

Hulda Dennett, Rose Hill, Dies Shortly After Accident Sunday

When the automobile in which she was riding turned turtle south of Augusta one Sunday afternoon, Miss Hulda Dennett of Rose Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dennett was fatally injured. She died at Augusta Hospital about 9 o'clock Sunday night.

The announcement of Mrs. Dennett's death was made in the Times yesterday. The cause was not known. News of the death but no mention of the accident was conveyed to El Dorado Sunday night in a telephone call to Undersheriff E. E. McKnight who was an uncle of Miss Dennett. He went to Augusta yesterday morning but returned last night.

Funeral services over the body of Miss Dennett were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The accident occurred within a mile of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Haynes, where Miss Dennett, Miss Gay Tinkler and E. L. Hudson of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Augusta, had been visiting Sunday afternoon. Just before dusk the three started for Augusta where Miss Dennett had been working. They were later in leaving than had been planned, and as they entered the automobile Miss Tinkler is reported to have said "Fast driving will make up the lost time."

According to Mrs. May Dennett who was at the Haynes home, Miss Tinkler drove the automobile out of the farm year with a burst of speed. Mrs. Dennett stood at a window in the Haynes home watching the speeding car, and remarked when it was about a mile away the machine was travelling at an excessive rate and she feared the occupants would meet with an accident. A few minutes later news was conveyed to the Haynes home of the accident.

Miss Dennett was pinned beneath the body of the car. Her face was crushed and she suffered severe bruises about the body and legs. Miss Tinkler and Mr. Hudson escaped with minor injuries.

George DeShurley of Augusta who was the first to reach the scene of the wreck took Miss Dennett to the Augusta Hospital.

The automobile was badly damaged.

Miss Dennett was 25 years old. In addition to her parents, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Haines and three brothers. (El Dorado Times, Tuesday, January 2, 1923)

DOUGHTY, JANE

Hold Services for Mrs. Doughty

Funeral services over the body of Mrs. Jane Doughty, who died at her home near Leon Wednesday evening were held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Leon Methodist Church. Rev. W. E. Freeman, Methodist minister at Peabody, officiated. He formerly was pastor of the Methodist Church at Leon. Burial was made in the Leon Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 5, 1923)

EARLY, LESLIE MRS.

Mrs. Leslie Early Dies in Oklahoma

News was received in El Dorado this morning of the death of Mrs. Leslie Early, at her home at Fairview, Okla., last night. No funeral arrangements had been announced at noon today but burial will be made at Fairview, friends of the family here said.

Mrs. Early had been in ill health for a number of months. Death was caused by a cancer.

Mrs. Early was about forty-two years old. She was born and reared in Butler County. She was the daughter of Mrs. Joshua Carter who lives near Chelsea. The Earlys formerly lived near Chelsea but moved to Fairview about ten years ago. Mr. Early is a stockman.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Early is survived by several children.

A son of Mr. and Mrs. Early was accidentally drowned while in swimming near Fairview last summer.

Mrs. Early is also survived by three sisters, and four brothers. The former are: Mrs. E.R. Davidson of El Dorado, Mrs. F. E. Wilson, Cambridge, Mass.; and Mrs. W. R. Piel of Augusta. The latter has been at the Early home for several days. The brothers of Mrs. Early are: Will Carter of Marion, Ves Carter, Chelsea; Rance Carter, DeGraff; and Lon Carter, Dennis. The four brothers, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Joshua Carter will go to Fairview tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 12, 1923)

ELDER, DAN M.

Butler Resident of 53 Years Dies

Dan M. Elder Succumbed Late Yesterday Afternoon After Short Illness

Death claimed another pioneer at 4:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon when Dan M. Elder who had been a resident of Butler County since 1870 died at his home 616 West Towanda Avenue after an illness of about 6 days caused by apoplexy.

The death of Mr. Elder has caused general regret. He was one of the well known pioneers of the county and a familiar character on the streets of El Dorado. He was down town nearly every day and it was with difficulty that his family compelled him to remain at home during the first few days of his illness.

For a number of years after coming to Butler County, Mr. Elder was a large land owner. At one time he is said to have possess more than 3,000 acres of land. Much of it embraced property on which oil has been found in the Elbing Field.

Mr. Elder was a Republican in politics and as such served for a number of years in the councils of the party in Butler County. In 1888 he was elected to the Kansas Legislature and was instrumental in securing many important bills through that body. Among them were those reducing the salaries of county officials providing for oil inspection, and establishing a home for the army nurses and soldiers widows. Mr. Elder was deeply interested in the last bill for he was a veteran of the Civil War.

In addition to these activities, Mr. Elder at various times was engaged in other business in the county. At one time he operated the stone quarry, east of El Dorado and employed a large number of laborers. Many other present day projects in the county are monuments to Mr. Elder's early day efforts.

Mr. Elder was born in Green County, Ind., May 9, 1814. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James and Elizabeth Elder, natives of Ohio. His mother belonged to a prominent Ohio family and was a daughter of Daniel McCurdy, who (end of article)(El Dorado Times, January 31, 1923)

GROVE, MARVIN JEFFERSON

Marvin Jefferson Grove aged 66, died at noon yesterday at his home, 405 West Kansas Avenue, after several months illness caused by heart trouble. Funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning at the Byrd Brothers & McMickell Funeral Home. Rev. L. T. Faulders, pastor of the Christian Church, will officiate. The body will be taken tomorrow to Kinzha, Pa., for burial.

Mr. Grove was born at Diamond, Pa., May 28, 1856, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage he moved to West Virginia where he lived until about four years ago, when he came to El Dorado. He was a driller in the oil fields.

Mr. Grove is survived by his widow and two daughters, one son, three sisters and two brothers. The daughters are Mrs. J. S. Loofbouron, El Centro, Calif., and Mrs. Virginia Joy, Erie, Pa. The son is Marvin J. Grove, Jr. of Charleston, W. Va. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 19, 1923)

PARKS, LEE

FARMER USES A HAMMER TO KILL SPOUSE

Lee Parks Then Goes to Home of Neighbor and Slays Self with a Gun

Salina, Kan - Jan 9 - Lee Parks, aged 40, farmer, killed his wife with a hammer at their home north of Solomon, this morning and then killed himself, according to information reaching the Dickinson County authorities.

Parks arrived at the home of Albert Rasher, a neighbor, at 9:30 o'clock this morning and asked that they take his child. The Rasher family protested saying Mrs. Parks must consent.

"Oh, I've finished her," Parks is alleged to have replied.

Setting the child down, Parks stepped behind a threshing machine and shot himself to death. (El Dorado Times, Tuesday, January 19, 1923)

PORTER, DON E.

YOUTH KILLED UNDER WHEELS OF A TRUCK

Don E. Porter, aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Porter who live four miles north of Rose Hill, was killed late yesterday afternoon when he attempted to take a ride on an automobile truck and slipped and fell under the wheels being crushed to death.

His father was guiding the truck which was heavily loaded with lumber and roofing. The boy ran out to greet Mr. Porter who was returning from Rose Hill. His hand slipped when he attempted to climb on the machine. A rear wheel passed over his chest. His death was almost instantaneous.

No funeral arrangements have been made. (El Dorado Times, no date given)

REID, WALLACE

To Cremate Body of Wallace Reid

Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 19 - The body of Wallace Reid, film star, who died yesterday afternoon at a sanitorium here, will be cremated in accordance with his wishes and the ashes probably will be sent East. A public funeral will be conducted tomorrow by the Elks' Lodge of Los Angeles. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 19, 1923)

SILAS, JOHN

Pneumonia Causes Death of Two Boys

The other youth, who died was Alfred Barnes, aged 19 months, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Barnes, who live three miles northeast of El Dorado. Death occurred shortly after 11 o'clock.

The baby was born at Red Rock, Okla., and came here with his parents about fourteen months ago. Besides his parents, the baby is survived by a sister, Evelyn Barnes, aged 4.

Funeral services were held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the parlors of the El Dorado Undertaking Company. Burial was made in West Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, January 13, 1923)

SMITH, T. C. REV.

Brother of Mrs. S. F. Turner Dies

News was received in El Dorado yesterday afternoon by Mrs. S. F. Turner, mother of W. E. Turner, county coroner of the death of her brother, Rev. T. C. Smith at his home in Denver, Colo. He had been in declining health for a number of months.

Mr. Smith was 82 years old. He is survived by his widow and three children. Although Mr. Smith had never visited in El Dorado he had been at his sister's home at Madison several times.

Mr. Smith was a minister in the Presbyterian Church. For a number of years he lived in Iowa. He retired from the pulpit only a few years ago. He was given his first charge when about twenty-two years old. (El Dorado Times, January 19, 1923)

WHARTON, JOSEPH M.

Joseph M. Wharton Dies at Wichita

Joseph M. Wharton aged 41 formerly a resident of El Dorado where he was well known, died of heart disease at his home at Wichita early yesterday morning. Although he had been ill from heart trouble for a number of years, his death was sudden.

Mr. Wharton was one of the leading bridge builders in Kansas. He was president of the Southern Kansas Construction Company.

The deceased had lived in Wichita for about three years. He went to that place from Burlington where he was engineer of Coffey county for one year.

Mr. Wharton was born at Yates Center, September 16, 1881. He was married at Wichita to Miss Edith Dennis of El Dorado who with a son, Bolney Wharton and three sisters survive. The deceased was a member of the Masonic lodge, at Yates Center.

Funeral services will be held at Wichita at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Burial will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, unknown date)

WHITEHEAD, EDWIN

WELL KNOWN MASON DIES AT AUGUSTA

Edwin Whitehead, aged 62, one of the leading Masons in this section of the state, died at his home at Augusta last night. No funeral arrangements have been made.

Mr. Whitehead had been in fair health, although he had suffered frequently from heart trouble, which caused his death. For the past ten years Mr. Whitehead had been employed by the Chalifant Grain Company at Augusta.

Mr. Whitehead was secretary of the Royal Arch Masons, at Augusta, and a member of the Eastern Star at that place. He also was a member of the Wichita Scottish Rite Masons.

The deceased is survived by a son. (El Dorado Times, Monday, January 15, 1923)

RALPH KLOPTEN, ALLEGED TOWANDA BANDIT, CAUGHT

Taken Into Custody Near Pawhuska, Okla., This Morning, As the Result of Being Shot in Gun Battle Following Cambridge Bank Robbery Late Yesterday
Al Spencer, Outlaw is Named

Cambridge Citizen, Who Was Kidnapped By Bandits is Found Near Pawhuska; Car used by Bandits in Flight and $10,000 in Loot Recovered; Spencer at Towanda

Another alleged bandit, whom it is believed was one of the three who robbed the Towanda State bank, December 2, 1922, of cash and securities valued at about $24,000 was captured this morning on a ranch about ten miles from Pawhuska, Okla., according to the police at that place at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The suspect is Ralph Klopten. He had admitted to the Pawhuska police he was one of the five bandits, who late yesterday afternoon robbed the Cambridge State Bank of $20,500 in cash and securities.

Klopten was found early this morning wandering about the ranch in a dazed condition. The sheriff at Pawhuska was called and took the prisoner in charge.

An examination showed Klopten was shot through the lungs in the gun fight between the Cambridge bandits and officers yesterday. His condition is said not to be critical.

Klopten will be removed to Winfield, where a formal charge of robbing the Cambridge bank will be preferred against him. It is not expected he will be able to travel until the last of the week.

Before Klopten was arrested, the Pawhuska police were called to a brick yard, west of that place, where E. G. Van Hamilton of Cambridge who was kidnapped by the bandits yesterday was found seriously shot. After medical attention had been given him Van Hamilton told the Pawhuska police he was abandoned last night by the bandits near the brick yard. Not knowing where he was Van Hamilton intended to wait at the yard until dawn.

About five miles from Pawhuska, the police found an abandoned wrecked automobile. In the machine was approximately $10,000 in cash and bonds. The loot has been identified as part of that stolen at Cambridge.

Although the automobile is a Studebaker, it is not the machine of the same make in which the Cambridge bandits escaped. It is believed the robbers used at least three cars in making their flight into Oklahoma, employing the same method to get away as the bandits who robbed the Virgil State Bank last week.

After Klopten was taken to the Pawhuska county jail, he implicated two of the bandits in the Cambridge robbery. The prisoner said Al Spencer, notorious outlaw, was the leader of the gang, and a man by the name of Johnson was a member. The Pawhuska police shortly afterwards arrested a man named Johnson who is a resident of Pawhuska and who has been in considerable trouble in that town. He is described by the Pawhuska police as being a bootlegger. Johnson also is being held for investigation.

No trace has been found of Spencer or the fifth bandit. It is believed they went he was so seriously wounded he would die within a short time. It is pointed out if Klopten had been given proper attention by the other bandits it probably would have resulted in the capture of all the robbers.

Spencer is said by the officers to have been the third bandit in the Towanda robbery.

Sheriff Newt Purcell has had pictures of Spencer and Klopten in his possession for the past six weeks. It has been known since a few days after the Towanda robbery that the two were believed to have been implicated in it. At various times, officers have been only a few hours behind the alleged bandits.

According to the officers, Klopten is the bandit who scooped up the money at the Towanda bank. Frank Robison, cashier of the bank says the bandit who secured the money and bonds had two front gold teeth. Klopten has this number. Other description Mr. Robison has given of the bandit corresponds minutely with that of Klopten.

Spencer is alleged to have driven the Hudson speedster in which the Towanda robbers travelled. Jay C. Majors who is being held at the county jail charged with the robbery is said to have been the third member of the gang and to have stood guard in the lobby of the bank while Klopten secured the loot.

Sheriff Purcell was notified by officers at Winfield shortly after 1 o'clock this afternoon of the arrest of Klopten and recovery of part of the Cambridge loot.

It is the opinion of the officers at Pawhuska that Spencer and the other members of the gang will be caught. Officers throughout the Southwest are maintaining a close lookout for them.

Spencer is said to have been identified this morning through a picture as one of the bandits who entered the institution yesterday. The identification was made at Pawhuska.

No reports had been received by El Dorado officers at an early hour this afternoon that a trace had been found of the five bandits who late yesterday afternoon held up seven persons at the State Bank of Cambridge about twelve miles south of the Butler Cowley County line, and escaped with $20,500 in case and securities.
The last trace of the bandits was when they escaped across the Kansas Oklahoma state line about dusk last evening into Oklahoma. They succeeded in making their get-away after staging a gun battle with a large posse of citizens and officers a short distance from the line.

Only three bandits entered the bank. Two remained in a large 7 passenger Studebaker on the outside. The trio of robbers backed the seven bank employees and patrons into the vault and then hurriedly scooped up the loot and departed.

The bandits went south from Cambridge. A posse was quickly formed at the town and officers in all nearby towns were informed of the robbery. Because it was definitely known the robbers went south, El Dorado officers were not notified of the theft until late in the evening.

The first gun battle between the bandits and posse occurred four miles west of Cedarville. The big engagement did not occur however until a short distance from the state line.

The battle opened after the robbers car had crashed into a wire gate. The impact stopped the Studebaker and it was necessary to remove the wire from the wheels of the machine before it could proceed. While the bandits were busied at this task, the posse and officers closed in on them.

The robbers opened fire shooting out the windshield of an automobile which belonged to a member of the posse and puncturing the body in several places. During the battle, one of the bandits was seen to stagger. Later an empty shell box covered with blood was found near the place. The wounded badit was dragged into the robbers car.

The bandit then fled south closely pursued for several miles by the posse, which by this time was traveling in four automobiles. The pursuers soon ran out of ammunition and gasoline and the bank looters escaped.

It is believed the robbers are hiding in the Osage Hills of Oklahoma. Kansas officers have maintained for a number of months that this region maintains headquarters for the bank robbers who are making frequent inroads into Kansas. Each time a bank is robbed the bandits flee to the south. (El Dorado Times, Wednesday, January 17, 1923)

WICHITA WOMAN IS HELD IN JAIL HERE

Mrs. Emma Wolf Brought to El Dorado Last Night to Answer to Charge

Mrs. Emma Wolf, who was arrested at her home at Wichita yesterday morning by the police of that place, charged with manslaughter in the first degree in connection with the death of Mrs. Nettie Thomas, at Wichita, January 16, was brought to El Dorado last night.

The state warrant for the arrest of Mrs. Wolf and Dr. B. E. Artman of Augusta, was issued Monday morning. The latter was arrested late Monday afternoon and released on $5,000 bond, pending his preliminary hearing February 6.

Mrs. Wolf was being held at the county jail this morning, Stanley C. Taylor, deputy county attorney said at 10 o'clock. It is probable Mrs. Wolf will not be arraigned until late this afternoon or tomorrow. It is expected as large a bond will be asked of her as given by Dr. Artman.

According to the county officer, who brought Mrs. Wolf to El Dorado, the woman denies she participated in the alleged illegal operation which is said to have caused the death of Mrs. Thomas. The operation is said to have occurred at the office of Dr. Artman at Augusta.

Mrs. Wolf declares she was asked twice by Mrs. Thomas to go to Augusta to see Dr. Artman. Codefendant says she refused the first time and only consented the second time when Mrs. Thomas informed her Mr. Thomas would accompany them.

The trip to Augusta was made Sunday, January 14. The operation is alleged to have occurred shortly after the arrival of the Wichitans at Augusta. Mrs. Wolf says when Mrs. Thomas was called into the private office of Dr. Artman that she made her (Mr. Wolf) follow her. Mrs. Wolf declares, however, she was not in the operating room when Dr. Artman was working. Mr. Thomas remained in the reception room of the Artman offices, Mrs. Wolf says.

Mrs. Thomas died two days after the operation. Death was caused by septic poisoning. (El Dorado Times, January 31, 1923)

RUSSELL, MAXINE E.

Maxine E. Russell, 88, of Augusta, passed away Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006.

Services 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at the Augusta Church of Christ.

There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta.

Maxine was born in Haleyville, Oklahoma on April 3, 1918. She was the daughter of the late Stephen and Della Mae (Castleman) Tygart. She worked in jewelry sales for K-Mart and shoe sales for John A. Brown Company. She was a Corps of Engineers camp host at Kaw Lake in Okla. On October 1, 1944 she married King Russell in Calvin, Okla. He survives.

Other survivors include: son, James Howard Cole and his wife Janet of Herrington, Del.; a daughter, Elzan Steele and her husband Leroy of Augusta; grandchildren, Brett Steele and his wife Karin; Scott Steele and his wife Sandra; Krista Baxter and her husband Mike; Michael Cole and his wife Rose; and Doogee grandma's great-grandchildren, Jason, Jarrod, Russell, Gunnear, Kenzington, James, Cody, and Brady.

She was preceded in death by a brother, James and a sister, Joann Lovett.

Memorials to Faith Home Health & Hospice 7804 E. Funston, Wichita, 67207.

Arrangements by Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta. (Augusta Daily Gazette, Monday, Nov. 13, 2006.)