Hanford Journal Hanford, Kings Co., California Tuesday, 25 FEBRUARY 1896 ************************************* BIRTH -- BARBER -- In Hanford, Feb. 18, 1896, to the wife of D.D. BARBER, a daughter. BIRTH -- McLAUGHLIN -- In Lemoore, Feb. 18, 1896, to the wife of Stiles McLAUGHLIN, a daughter. DEATH -- ELLIS -- At the residence of her father, H.C. FALLIN, in Hanford, Feb. 28 [probable typo, since issue date is 25 Feb.], 1896, Mrs. Alice Mabel ELLIS, aged 24 years, 6 months, 7 days. [The funeral took place from the Episcopal church this forenoon, at 10 o'clock and many friends of the deceased were in attendance. There were both lady and gentlemen pall bearers, the ladies dressed in pure white. After the services at the church the remains were laid to rest in the Hanford cemetery. Deceased leaves 2 small children and other relatives and many friends to mourn her sad loss.] [from Local Paragraphs column] -- Miss Marcia FARNHAM, aged 20 years, niece of J.H. DOPKINS, died last Tuesday at her home in Woodland as the result of a lamp falling on her and causing burns which proved fatal. The young lady visited here last year and made many friends. Her aunt, Mrs. DEWEY, who resides south of this city, went up to Woodland to attend the funeral. ------------------------------------------------------ TOOK POISON -- Sad Ending of Mrs. STARKWEATHER's Life Last Friday -- The Event Cast a Gloom Over the Community -- A Large Concourse of People Show Their Respect for the Deceased -- The sad death of Mrs. Clara B. STARKWEATHER, wife of Reuben E. STARKWEATHER, which occurred about 1:40 o'clock last Friday morning, as a result of a dose of poison administered by her own hand with suicidal intent, cast a feeling of gloom over this community. The poison was taken between 2 & 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and although several neighbors came to assist Mrs. STARKWEATHER (one of them, Mrs. L.J. ROSS, at the request of the deceased) the latter did not make it known that she had taken poison and the fact was not evident until late in the afternoon, when deceased became violently ill. Dr. L.E. FELTON was then called in, but the deadly poison, rough on rats, which had been taken by Mrs. STARKWEATHER, had begun its work which ended fatally. Mr. STARKWEATHER was not at home at the time, being over on the JONES ranch on Tule River, superintending the putting in of a crop of grain. He was telegraphed to, but the dispatch did not reach him until 2 hours after his wife's death. He at once drove to this city as fast as he could drive and reached here on Friday afternoon. Deceased had developed a suicidal mania and she attempted the previous Sunday to commit suicide by the use of laudanum, but she took too much and a physician succeeded in saving her life then. Much sickness combined with family troubles seems to have been the cause of her suicidal mania. On 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon Coroner MOORE and a jury held an inquest over the remains of the deceased. The jury consisted of: G.S. HEWITT D.A. WOODWARD J.P. BOICE J.T. McJUNKIN E.L. HUBBELL M. FUCHS W.A. ARNOLD A. BLIX A.M. ASHLEY J.F. ADAMS George AWALT Samuel SHANNON Dr. L.E. FELTON testified to being called at about 6 p.m. on Thursday to attend deceased. She showed signs of arsenical poisoning and told him she had taken rough on rats. He also saw a box of the poison from which a teaspoonful had been taken. Deceased died about 1:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Mrs. COWLES, of Mendota, mother of deceased, testified as the name of deceased and that she was aged 24 years and a native of Sonora, California. Witness was stopping with her daughter and went out calling on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, returning at 5 o'clock. Deceased complained of feeling feverish. Deceased had made no statement to her or expressed any intention of committing suicide. Mrs. L.J. ROSS, a neighbor, testified to being called to see deceased about 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. Deceased was sick and lying on a lounge, but made no statement about having taken poison. Grant STARKWEATHER testified to being informed at 9 p.m. Thursday that his sister-in-law had taken poison, and that he found 2 boxes of rough on rats in her house, from 1 of which a teaspoonful had been taken. About 1 o'clock a.m. Friday he told her he had sent for her husband and she seemed anxious to see him and inquired if a rig had been sent for him. Had heard she had threatened to commit suicide. She had been sick for 4 years. Had been informed that deceased attempted suicide the previous Sunday, and saw a letter she had written wherein she stated that she had taken laudanum, but without the desired effect. The jury returned a verdict that deceased met her death by poison, administered with suicidal intent. The funeral of deceased took place from the family residence at 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. It was very largely attended. The funeral discourse was rendered by A.G. PARKS, and Mrs. J.D. BIDDLE touchingly sang 2 songs. The remains were interred in the Hanford cemetery with the beautiful ritualistic ceremonies of the Eastern Stars, of which deceased was a member. There were many beautiful floral pieces placed on and about the handsome coffin which enclosed the mortal remains of one who was universally loved by her intimate friends and respected by all. ------------------------------------------------------- WEDDING BELLS -- The KURTZ-YELKIN Nuptials -- List of Guests, Presents, Etc. On the 15th instant about 100 people were present by invitation at the residence of Mr.&Mrs. John KURTZ Sr. to witness the marriage ceremony of their son Frank B. KURTZ and Miss Rachael B. YELKIN. The marriage license having been procured in Kings county and the residence of Mr.&Mrs. KURTZ Sr. being situated just over the line in Fresno county, it was decided to have the wedding in the open air on the Kings county side. At 12m. the wedding party started for the county line. First came the best man and bridesmaids, Dr. J.C. MOORE and Miss Mena KURTZ, Charles ENLOW and Miss Ollie TOBIN, Andrew KURTZ and Miss Minnie YELKIN, followed by the prospective bride and groom and nearly 100 relatives and friends. Arriving at the Kings county line the wedding party turned and faced the many friends present. Justice BULLARD then tied the matrimonial knot and the bride and groom received the hearty congratulations of those present, after which all returned to the home of the groom's parents. At 1 o'clock dinner was announced (and right here let us say that it was a dinner). The bridal cake was a beauty, and it seemed a pity to cut it, but like the other good things it melted away before the hungry and jolly crowd which attacked it. After dinner there was music and games and a general good time until late in the afternoon, when the guests bade adieu to the bride and groom and to the genial Mr.&Mrs. KURTZ Sr. and departed for their various homes feeling that they had been royally entertained. NOTES -- Many useful and valuable presents were received, among them being that of G. BAUER, which occasioned much merriment. It consisted of a large box neatly filled with layer after layer of paper, and a 2nd box of smaller dimensions fitted into the larger one, which was equally well filled with paper. But the bride and groom lent a helping hand and their labors were finally rewarded by the appearance of a tiny pair of baby shoes. All of the KURTZ family did their best to make those present feel at home and enjoy themselves. Among those present were: Mr.&Mrs. MARRIOTT, Sr. Mr.&Mrs. H. DAWSON Mr.&Mrs. J.H. ROUTT Mr.&Mrs. John KURTZ Sr. Mr.&Mrs. John KURTZ Jr. Mr.&Mrs. Frank BULLARD Mr.&Mrs. PORTER and family Mr.&Mrs. MARRIOTT Jr. Mr.&Mrs. H.W. BYRON Mr.&Mrs. L.H. BYRON Mr.&Mrs. John YELKIN Mr.&Mrs. Charles FALL Mr.&Mrs. LEITZKE Mr.&Mrs. FREER Mr.&Mrs. George KEIFER Mr.&Mrs. James WELLS Mr.&Mrs. G. BAUER Mrs. Daniel RHOADS Misses: ESPY Maggie KURTZ Lena KURTZ Ollie TOBIN Minnie YELKIN Daisy FALL Dollie FALL Nellie LOBB Maud PORTER Mary LAY Edith LOBB N. HANNAH R. HANNAH Minnie SPRAGUE Lizzie SPRAGUE L. HANNAH Messrs: Richard YELKIN Samuel YELKIN Andrew KURTZ Dr. J.C. MOORE Lon BOWEN James DILLARD Harley KEARNS Frank VOLT Willie BYRON William KURTZ Robert RAINE Charles ENLOW And a yard full of little folks. ----------------------------------------------------- BUSINESS COLLEGE STUDENTS -- Chesnutwood's Business College 'Journal' has this to say of Kings and Tulare County students attending that college: -A.D. McKEAN, of Hanford, Kings County, one of our most enterprising young men, is making his mark as an accountant. -C.C. CHURCH, of Hanford, continues to better the quality of his work as he advances in the Senior department. He is thorough and reliable in all that he does. -C.J. BUTTON, of Orosi, Tulare county, is a thorough, conscientious student of the Senior department. He will make a careful and competent accountant. -O.G. BRUNDAGE, of Farmersville, is a bright, energetic pupil. He evidently came here to learn all about the science of accounts. We are more than pleased with the progress he is making in his business studies. -A.F. BUTTON of Orosi, is a wide-awake student of the Senior department. His work is always his best. ------------------------------------------------------- STRAYED -- From my place, 9 miles SW of Hanford, a black boar, with white face and feet; crop and upper half crop in each ear; short tail. Please leave information of his whereabouts with L.F. BURR. ------------------------------------------------------- LOCAL PARAGRAPHS -- -S. RICHMOND, who has been ill for some time, went to Paso Robles, by train, last Friday morning, to see if the springs there would not benefit his health. -Mrs. M.B. JACKSON, who spent the winter here, left for her home in Washington yesterday morning. -C.L. GREENE returned last week from Woodland. He was detained there longer than he expected when he went away, owing to the continued illness of his mother, who is now some better. -L.C. LENS has left Holland and is expected to arrive here in a few days. He left that country some time ago, but stopped for awhile in England to attend to some business there. -J.H. MELONE, the merchant, who has been dangerously ill, is slowly improving. His case appeared hopeless for a time, but he is now slowly mending and it is to be hoped that this pioneer business man of Hanford will spend many years more in our midst. B.J. TURNER, proprietor of the Hotel Artesia, has been dangerously ill for the past 2 weeks, but is now on the road to recovery. The disease which attacked him was neuralgia of the face, from which he suffered greatly. Last week his brother and son were sent for, but they have since returned, A.D. TURNER to S.F. and the son to Santa Clara College. Mr. TURNER has many friends who will be pleased to learn that he is gaining strength and hope they will soon see his familiar presence about the Artesia again. ------------------------------------------------------ GRANGEVILLE -- -Will WORSWICK Jr. has returned to the asphalt mines of Santa Barbara. -Mrs. M.A. HORLOCK spent several days in Hanford last week visiting her son, Arthur E. -Last Monday was Mr. SANBORN's birthday and a few of his friends were invited to help celebrate it. The evening was spent very pleasantly in various ways, according to the tastes of the guests, music, games and social conversation, all being indulged in. Quite an elaborate supper was served, and at the tables we noted the following from Grangeville: Mr.&Mrs. HOYT, Mr.&Mrs. LATHAM, Mr.&Mrs. CHAMBERS and Miss STEWART, child Hanford was fairly well represented. -Mrs. CHAMBERS and her daughter, Mrs. George RAILSBACK, attended the funeral of Mrs. STARKWEATHER on Saturday. They were, as usual on such occasions, busy early in the day gathering the blossoms to make into pretty designs to carry, with words of comfort and consolation, into the stricken home. Truly their lives in this community for years past has been an inspiration, and many indeed are the ones who have had cause to bless them in the hour of affliction. This world would be better and the problem of "What is true religion" would be solved if there were more such unselfish, true hearted women. -Last Friday was the 25th anniversary of Mr.&Mrs. A.W. LANE's wedding day, and a large number of their friends joined in giving them a surprise. About 8 o'clock a number of folks, young and old, began to troop into the front door and by 9 o'clock everybody and his wife had arrived. A most enjoyable time was had and quite a number of very pretty presents were received. A delicate supper was served about 11 o'clock, and it was after midnight before the guests began to depart for home, after again wishing their host and hostess "many happy returns of the day." ARMONA -- -Dillard WIER, the baggage man at the depot, has been called away for a few weeks. N. GILLUM is filling Mr. WIER's place during his absence. -J.P. GAUNT and S.L. MILIGAN went last Friday over near Coalingo, where they have a lot of bees which they intend to bring over to this part of the country. LEMOORE LOCALS -- -Mrs. Dr. HAMLIN, who had her shoulder joint dislocated by a fall from her buggy while en route to Hanford last week, is on the improve. -The infant son of J.S. NISBET was quite ill the fore part of the week with throat troubles, but is now on the improve. -James SUTHERLAND, of Santa Clara, is visiting his sons W.M. and J.C. SOUTHERLAND. -Grandpa WELLS, father of Mrs. Dr. HAMLIN, who recently had his leg broken by a fall, is very poorly, and his recovery is doubtful. -Mr. J.R. BARTON, who has been in San Francisco for some time, returned home on Wednesday evening and was taken seriously ill shortly after his arrival. On Thursday Drs. CHARLES and FOLEY were called upon to perform an operation to relieve him. He is some better, but his condtion is still critical. -On Sunday last F.W. HINES, a painter, had his leg broken at Carson DAHNKEN's saloon on Front street. HINES was standing at the counter with his leg partly encircling an iron rod which holds in position a bar which encircles the counter as a foot rest. In some way, during a friendly scuffle, he lost his balance and failed to extract his leg from its position between the iron rod and foot rest, with the result that his leg was broken at a point just above the ankle. He was taken to the county hospital. -Thos. HARVEY, or "Coal Oil Tommy" as he is familiarly known, has returned to Lemoore and is now ready to go to work. He states that since the taking out of the sightless and painful eye last week by Dr. MUSGRAVE the remaining eye has been greatly benefited by the operation, and each day his eyesight is getting stronger. Transcribed by Dee Sardoch To see more old newspapers, visit http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/