Mixed Obits for Butler County Kansas Genealogy Trails

Butler County, Kansas

BOWIE, GEORGE W.

The funeral of George W. Bowie was held at the Presbyterian church at 2:30 Saturday. Rev. George Harkness conducted the services and spoke with feeling of the character and long suffering of Mr. Bowie, who for months has lain entirely helpless from a spinal trouble. Mr. Bowie was a Union Volunteer serving in L Company, 16th Illinois Cavarly. He was an upright man and had the trust and confidence of all who knew him. His body was laid in Belle Vista Cemetery under the ritual services of the Odd Fellows of which he had been a member for many years. (Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1905)

COOPER, M. C.

Entered into rest, November 6 at Osawatomie, Kansas, M. C. Cooper, aged about 81 years. Mr. Cooper settled in Towanda township in '77 or '78 and lived there many years esteemed and honored is a good man. For several years past his mind has gradually failed and recently he was sent to the insane asylum. His wife, the second wife, and two children deputy postmaster, H. L. Cooper and Mrs. Nellie Dillon survive him.

Burial occurred November 7 at Osawatomie. (Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1905)

CRONK, MRS. F. J.

Mrs. F. J. Cronk died at her home in Yuba, California on November 5, leaving an infant about three weeks old. E. A. Ogden of El Dorado is a brother of Mrs. Cronk. Mrs. Cronk was an estimable lady with many friends here who will read with sincere regret of her untimely death. (Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1905)

CROOK, LETHA DAVIDSON

Letha Davidson Crook died November 16, 1905. She had been sick for many weeks suffering with a cancer which dreaded disease caused her death. The deceased was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, October 14, 1877. She came to Kansas with her parents in 1878 and has lived in Butler County the rest of her life. She was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. She leaves a husband J. I. Crook, her mother Mrs. N. A. Davidson, five brothers and four sisters. Two brothers, S. L. and Charles Davidson live in Ogden, Utah and two sisters, Mrs. A. D. Hoskins of Kemmerer, Wyoming and Mrs. V. A. Morford of Andover, Kansas, and Mrs. Josie Ross, O. M. Davidson, John Davidson, Clarence Davidson, and Anna Davidson all of El Dorado. The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Baptist church. Interment will be in the West Cemetery. (Walnut Valley Times, November 14, 1905)

DAVIS, MRS. JOHN

Mrs. John Davis died at her home near Augusta, December 1. She was 67 years old. Her husband and several children survive her. The Davis family was among the earliest settlers here and was and is high in the regard of neighbors.
The funeral was held Monday and the mortal body of this good woman was laid in Koster Cemetery. (Walnut Valley Times, December 8, 1905)

HARDIE, ALEXANDER

Alexander Hardie died Friday November 24. Mr. Hardie had suffered from a cancer for two years and had been confined to the house for almost a year. He was born at Paisley, Scotland, December 28, 1828, was married to Janet Bissett in Glasgow in 1855. He came with his family to the United States in 1866 and resided in Yonkers New York until 1878. From Yonkers he moved to Cameron, Texas where he resided until 1882 then coming to Fort Scott, there until 1893 when he came to El Dorado. In his early years he and his father were connected with the manufacture of Paisley shawls at Paisley, Scotland. There were nine children born to him. The members of his family besides his widow are, A. G. Hardie, of Steiger, Illinois, J. S. Hardie of Anthony, H. D. Hardie of Ardmore, Indian Territory, W. C. Hardie of Harmony, Pennsylvania, Mrs. R. O. Ball of Coffeyville, and Mrs. E. R. Horine of Joplin, Missouri.

The funeral will be at 3 o'clock Sunday at the home. The services will be conducted by Rev. George Harkness, pastor of the Presbyterian church. (Walnut Valley Times, 1, 1905)

HARRINGTON, MRS. H. A.

Mrs. H. A. Harrington of Douglass died Sunday November 26 of pneumonia. She leaves a husband but no children. Funeral services will be held Tuesday. (Walnut Valley Times, December 1, 1905)

HERRINGTON, MRS. S. A.

Mrs. S. A. Herrington died at the home of her daughter Mrs. V. M. Lord Monday evening November 6 of heart disease. She leaves a husband who was with her at the time of her death, her daughter, and a son in northern Minnesota.

Mr. and Mrs. Herrington come from their home in West Concord, Minnesota, a week ago to spend the winter with their daughter here. Mrs. Herrington was taken sick soon after their arrival. The sympathy of the entire community is with the bereaved and stricken husband and with Mrs. Lord, whose home was so recently saddened by the death of her only son.

The body will be taken to Minnesota for burial. Mr. Lord will accompany Mr. Herrington to the old home. (Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1905)

OLIVER, CLARENCE

Clarence Oliver, 15 years old, son of James Oliver of Burns, died of typhoid fever Thursday morning November 16. The body was brought to El Dorado by the sorrowing father and burned in East Cemetery beside the child's mother. On account of severe illness in the family no funeral services were held. A father and three brothers are left to mourn. (Walnut Valley Times, November 14, 1905)

PETRIE, RICHARD R.

Died in Lawrence, December 5, Richard R. Petrie, aged 84 years.

Mr. Petrie was born in Scotland, came to the United States in 1848 and to Kansas - to Butler county - in 1860. Later he went to Lawrence and there his wife died. Then he returned to El Dorado where he again resided for several years. He was a typical Scotsman, a busy man - probably in his prime didn't lose a day in a year unless sick.

His children surviving him are Alex Petrie of Pasadena, California, Edward Petrie of Wichita, Mrs. A. W. Long of Jefferson, Oklahoma, Mrs. J. D. Conner of El Dorado and Mrs. Agnes Laptad of Lawrence. All these except Alex Petrie, will be present at the funeral.

Mr. Petrie was an excellent man and pioneers will hear with regret of his death. (Walnut Valley Times, December 8, 1905)

PICKERELL, DR. J. F.

SUICIDE

Dr. Pickerell Shoots Himself - Was Undoubtedly Insane - Found in His Office, Dead - Left Insurance For His Family

Dr. J. F. Pickerell shot and killed himself in his office over F. H. Hunt's grocery on south Main street about 8 p.m. October 12. He is said to have been a cousin of the late Dr. J. A. McKenzie.

The Doctor had manifested signs of dementia for several days and especially on the day of his death. To several people he spoke of certain persons who sought to do him injury naming some of those who may have crossed him. Those with whom he had business relations came in for a large share of suspicion and he gave assurances that he was ready for them on opportunity. E. H. Pattison became afraid of him and had him watched.

He gave such unusual symptoms of mental aberration that an investigation was made. Deputy Sheriff Jolliffe and several court house people went to his rooms and found everything tightly locked. Earl Scott climbed a ladder, looked through the transom and saw the Doctor on the floor. The door was forced and the suicide was discovered. He had rolled a rug as for a pillow, lay down and shoot himself, first through the lungs, then, in the right temple.

Dr. Pickerell was a graduate of The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Kansas City and began and built a fine practice at Lincoln, Kansas. With his wife and three children, he moved to Wichita in 1905. He had been a very busy man and his new location required time for him to build up a practice which worried him. He came to El Dorado and fitted up three rooms tastefully and handsomely. Had been here only a few weeks when his mind failed. His family was still in Wichita. His wife was phoned and came over at 11 last night, returning with the body early this (Friday) morning.

He left insurance of $2,000 said to be in Odd Fellows and an old-line policy. He owned considerable property in Lincoln and a house in Wichita.

It is suspected by some that he was under the influence of whiskey or cocaine, when he suicide but c. H. Selig and others who saw and heard him yesterday think not, they believe him to have been insane. He was about 45 years old. (Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1905)

RULAND, MANLY

Died at his home, 724 St. Frances avenue, Wichita, Kansas, Thursday evening November 30, 1905, Manly Ruland aged over 78 years after an illness of three weeks. Although Mr. Ruland has not been in perfect health for some time, the family did not become alarmed at his condition till recently.

This takes from our ranks one of the old timers in Butler County, he purchased his farm in Bloomington township in the early seventies, residing here until moving to Wichita three weeks ago, coming here from Homer, Will County, Illinois.

He was a man of strict integrity, was well known and had the respect of all who knew him. Though he was a great sufferer for a number of days previous to his death the end was peaceful. He leaves one son, two daughters and many friends to mourn his loss. - Augusta Gazette. (Walnut Valley Times, December 8, 1905)

SNYDER, LILY

Died, October 27, Mrs. Lily Snyder at Parsons, Labette county, aged 39 years. Her body is brought here for interment in the West Cemetery. The funeral will occur from the home of her father, S. E. Folwer Sr. tomorrow. Rev. Harrison Wait conducting the services. The hour of the services will be announced later. (Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1905)

TWO ARE STILL AT LARGE

Search for Prisoner Who Escaped From Kansas Penitentiary

Leavenworth, Kas., Nov. 17---Estell and Cravens, the convicts who escaped from the state penitentiary yesterday after a running fight with the guards, are still at large. The men took shelter in the timber that surrounds the penitentiary, and in the shots exchanged last evening, before darkness made further pursuit impossible, it was believed that one of the convicts had been shot. Search at daylight, however, indicated that neither was hit. Armed mounted guards are today searching the timber in all directions.

Sam Smith, the convict shot by one of the guards during the break for liberty, is still alive, but will die. Kansas first came to Kansas penitentiary from Sumner county in February, 1898, under a year's sentence for grand larceny. He broke away form an outside guard in the following June, stole a horse and rode to Butler county, where he took part in the robbery of a train and killed a man. Smith was convicted of murder and brought back in December, 1898, under sentence of death.

At 12:30 p.m.--Estell and Cravens have been surrounded in an old farm barn west of the prison and reenforcements have been sent to the posse. The convicts are heavily armed.

The barn was surrounded and will be fired if the convicts refuse to surrender. Warden Tomlinson has sent to the federal prison for Krag-Jorgenson rifles, his guns being demed insufficient. (The Morning Olympian ~ November 18, 1900)

HARTER, JOHN

John Harter, aged about 75 years was killed by the fast freight on the Santa Fe near Douglass yesterday. He was returning to his farm north of Douglass and insisted against the wishes of his grandson who was driving the wagon, on returning to town. He climbed out of the wagon and crossed the track, then turned about and reached the track in time to be knocked off and killed.

Mr. Harter was a pioneer of that vicinity and an honored citizen. His excentricity due to old age and failing bodily powers, was the cause of his death. (Walnut Valley Daily Times, November 30, 1900)

PATTERSON, JAMES HARVEY

James H. Patterson Passed Away At Home Yesterday At Age of 94 Years

Born in slavery and having lived in that condition for more than thirty years, was one of the distinctions carried by James Harvey Patterson, colored, aged 94 years who died at 9 o'clock yesterday morning at the home of his daughter, Miss Mary Patterson, 130 Griffith street, after a short illness.

Funeral services over the body of Mr. Patterson will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at Miss Patterson's home. Burial will be made in West Cemetery. The Turner Mortuary is in charge of the body.

Born in 1831

Mr. Patterson was born on September 15, 1881, in Boone County, KY. He was a slave until two years before the close of the Civil War in 1865. He could recall many incidents regarding the time he was in slavery, and also of the early days spent in Kansas.

Mr. Patterson had lived in El Dorado only since last September. He and Mrs. Patterson who is 20 years younger than her husband came here from Florence, where Mr. Patterson had lived 53 years. He was widely known throughout the community. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were married a short time after Mr. Patterson was released from slavery.

Trustee of White Church

An honor accorded Mr. Patterson was that for 42 years of the time he lived at Florence he was a trustee in the White Methodist Church at that place. When he moved to El Dorado, Mr. Patterson was made an honorary trustee of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were the only colored members of the church and is believed the honor accorded Mr. Patterson by the congregation cannot be equaled in Kansas.

In addition to his widow and daughter, Miss Mary, Mr. Patterson is survived by four other children. They are: Ira Patterson, San Bernardino, Calif., Mrs. Laura Holder, Marion; Walter Patterson, LaJunita, Colo. and Mrs. Gladys Doty, of El Dorado. One child died a number of years ago. (El Dorado Times, Monday, January 4, 1926)

STRATFORD, EDWARD D.

Following an illness cause by heart trouble, which developed more than a year ago and gradually became more serious, Judge Edward D. Stratford, aged 73 years, one of the pioneer attorneys of Butler County, public office holder, community booster and town builder, died at 7 o'clock this morning at St. Luke's Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. C. W. Stratford, 509 South Denver Street. Services will be in charge of the Masonic Blue Lodge, with the Knights Templar as escort. Rev. C. A. Kitch, pastor of the Methodist Church will officiate and burial will be made in the Belle Vista Cemetery.

In deference to the life-long wish of Judge Stratford, the family requests that no flowers be sent.

Was Widely Known

Judge Stratford was widely known and beloved in this community and news of his death created general sadness. He will be missed by children as well as grown folk for he was always interested in children and enjoyed talking with them.

Judge Stratford held many public offices during his long residence in this county. He was a community builder, always strongly in favor of any project that promised to be of benefit to the people in general and gave generously of his money as well as time to worth-while enterprises. On several occasions he gave substantial financial gifts to the Edgar Dale Post of the American Legion. He was intensely patriotic and it was a source of pride to him that two of his sons enlisted and served overseas in the World War.

Judge Stratford believed that the home was the great protector of American rights. He loved his home and could usually be found there at the close of his days work. He owned a number of residential and business properties about town, many of which he maintained merely to make the town a better one in which to live.

There was no better read person in El Dorado, for Judge Stratford was always seeking new information. One El Dorado attorney paid Judge Stratford a compliment this morning when he said the deceased was not a case lawyer, but one who referred back to his training to practice at the bar in reaching a decision between right and wrong. According to this same attorney, Judge Stratford was right in his opinion most of the time too.

Handled Hundreds Cases

In recent years, Judge Stratford also had been justice of the peace. He had been police judge of the city since April 1, 1917. Only last week, he stated that he would present his resignation to the City Commission shortly asking that it take effect on April 1, after he had rounded out full nine years in the office.

As police judge during the days of the oil boom here, Judge Stratford handled his work in a fearless and at the same time, satisfactory manner. No favorites were shown by him. As justice of the peace for the past several years, a big majority of the state criminal complaints that were filed by the county attorney's office, were started in Justice Stafford's court. In addition to this heavy work, he also found time to preside over hundreds of civil actions. His same honest opinion was always forthcoming in all of them and he prided himself on the conduct of his court.

Strong Republican

Throughout his life, Judge Stratford had been closely identified with the Republican party. Shortly after being admitted to the bar in 1878, Judge Stratford was elected judge of the probate court. At the close of his first term he was elected a second time. In 1887 he was sent to the lower house of the Kansas Legislature from the north district of the county and served two terms in this body.

Judge Stratford also served on the City Council for a number of years.

He was intensely interested in all educational matters and served for three years as one of the regents of the Kansas State Agricultural College, at Manhattan and seven years as a member of the El Dorado Board of Education and at all times stood ready to do his bit to make the schools of the county better.

In 1899, while living in Oregon, Judge Stratford was appointed a special agent of the United States Land Office. He held the job four years during which time he performed service in Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Missouri and Alaska. He spent more than a year in the latter country, having his headquarters at Sitka. During that time, he became thoroughly acquainted with the geography and resources of the country and was interested in its developments in recent years.

Judge Stratford's health began failing in the fall of 1924. He believed a change in climate for a short time might benefit him, and went to New Orleans, LA., where he remained for two weeks. When he returned home, he appeared to be feeling much better. A short time later, however, his health became impaired and for a number of weeks last spring and summer his condition was serious.

Largely through his strong will power Judge Stratford later improved last fall and was apparently much stronger than at any time within the previous year. About two weeks ago, Judge Stratford started to fail again. He would not abandon his work at the City Hall and continued to carry on his activities until last Friday morning, when he finally left the office for the last time and had since been confined to his bed. On Monday, he was removed to the hospital.

Judge Stratford was born in Vevey, Switzerland County, Ind., on October 15, 1852. He was the son of John and Sarah Stratford, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. In addition to Judge Stratford, his parents had two other children, J. L. Stratford, a Methodist Minister, and J. C. Stratford, a photographer, both of whom live at Creswell, Ore.

Judge Stratford attended the public schools in Indiana and later took a course at Howard College, Ind. After coming to Kansas, he attended for a short time the State Teachers' College, at Emporia. Judge Stratford came to Butler County in 1873 and after teaching school for a number of years, read law with Judge A. L. L. Hamilton here. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar.

In 1889 Judge Stratford and Probate Judge V. P. Mooney opened a law office. The partnership existed until Judge Stratford removed to Oregon in the early nineties. For the first two or three years in the West, Judge Stratford engaged in the newspaper and law business. Later, he took the United States Land Office. When he quit the employ of the government, Judge Stratford returned to El Dorado in 1903.

Again Judge Stratford and Judge Mooney opened a law office. They continued to be associated together for 12 years. At that time Judge Mooney was appointed by Gov. Arthur Capper to fill the unexpired term of Probate Judge caused by the death of Judge McCluggage.

On February 27, 1883, Judge Stratford was married to Miss Jennie Long, who with five children, four sons and one daughter, survive him. The sons are: Oscar Edward and Ray Allen, both of whom live in El Dorado; Clark of Kansas City, Mo., and John of Wellington. Miss Jane Startford, the daughter is a student at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. The eldest son, Charles died three years ago. (The El Dorado Times, January 22, 1926)

MUNSELL, MRS. C. W. C.

Mrs. C. W. C. Munsell, mother of Mrs. M. L. Fullinwider, died at her home in this city Wednesday at 10 o'clock. Mrs. Munsell was about 82 years of age and had been sick about two weeks. Rev. and Mrs. Munsell lived on a farm north of Chelsea for a number of years, but of late years have resided here in the property adjoining Dr. Fullinwider's on the east.

The funeral services will be held at the house Thursday beginning at 1:45 p.m. The remains were then taken to Bloomington, Ill., the party leaving on the afternoon Mo. Pacific train. Rev. Munsell and Dr. and Mrs. Fullinwider accompanied the remains to their final resting place. (El Dorado Republican, August 12, 1898)