Patterson Irrigator,   01/10/1941 p. 1

 

Passing Of Mrs. A. H. Anderson Saturday

Mrs. Agda Olivia Anderson, wife of A. H. Anderson of Walnut Avenue, passed away near San Jose Saturday following a lengthy illness.

A native of Sweden, Mrs. Anderson was sixty years of age.  Beside her husband, she is survived by a son and two daughters, Evelyn Anderson and Walter Anderson of Modesto and Pearl Anderson of Patterson.  Two brothers and a sister reside in Sweden.

Funeral services were held at the Davis & Evans Chapel Tuesday afternoon, with Rev. E. I. Mattson conducting the services.  Interment followed in the family plot in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   01/17/1941 p. 1

 

A. P. Ralston Victim of Heart Attack

Postmaster Passes Away Wednesday Evening at Home

Stricken suddenly by a heart attack at his home Tuesday night, Postmaster A. P. Ralston passed away less than 21 hours later, at a few minutes before 7 Wednesday evening.

He lapsed into unconsciousness following the attack and virtually no hope was held for his survival from the first.  While he has not been in the best of health recently, he was felling well that evening and the attack came without warning.

News of his passing was received with deep regret by the community as a whole, as he was universally popular in a position where it is difficult to please all.  Capable, cheerful and accommodating, his record of service is perhaps best exemplified by his determination to keep the local office open on Saturday afternoons, despite a general post office order for curtailed service on that day requiring special permission to remain open here.

Funeral Tomorrow

Arvin Prentice Ralston was a native of Kentucky and was 51years of age.  He came to Patterson in 1918 and has resided here ever since.  He took over the postmaster ship on May 16, 1934, and was reappointed for a second term, following which he took the examination for the permanent appointment, under which he held office at the time of his death.

He is survived by two daughters,  Mrs. Max Denny and Sara Jane Ralston; his mother, Mrs. Annie Ralston; a brother, William T. Ralston,  and a grandson, Glenn Denny, all of Patterson.

Funeral services will held be at Davis & Evans Chapel at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, with Rev. John W. White in charge, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   01/17/1941 p. 8

 

Services Held for Former Resident

Crows Landing, Jan. 15.—Funeral rites were held in Stockton this Wednesday morning for Frederick Chapman Love, 72. The services were conducted by Dr. Willis Long of the First Presbyterian Church in the De Young Memorial Chapel.

Graveside services were held the same afternoon in the Hills Ferry Cemetery at Newman, where interment was made in the family plot.

A former rancher in the Newman and Patterson districts for many years, he had lived in Stockton for 30 years.  For more than 20 years he was a carpenter, retiring about 10 years ago.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Margaret Love; a daughter, Mrs. Ina Atherwon; and a sister, Mrs. Blanche Churchill, all of Stockton.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   01/24/1941 p. 1

 

Bobbie McGill Dies Following Long Illness

Bobbie Dean McGill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max McGill, passed away at the family home on Sperry Avenue shortly after midnight Tuesday morning following a long illness from lymphatic leukemia.

Stricken last Summer following his graduation from elementary school, blood transfusions and a period spent at the University of California Hospital in San Francisco for observation proved of no avail. The particular type of the disease from which he suffered has so far baffled science and is incurable.

The deceased was 14 years of age, and, besides his parents, is survived by two sisters and a brother—Maxine, Helen and John McGill.

He belonged to the Patterson Troop of Boy Scouts and members of the troop supplied pall bearers and a guard of honor at the funeral service, held yesterday afternoon at the Davis & Evans Chapel.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. John W. White, with interment in Del Puerto Cemetery following.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   01/31/1941 p. 2

 

Grayson Infant Passes Away

Larry Randolph, 18 months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Zumwalt of Grayson. passed away at a Modesto  hospital Wednesday.  A brother, LeRoy: a grandmother, Mrs. Annie Howell of Modesto, and a grandfather, N. A. Zumwalt of Grayson, also survive.  Funeral services were held  at Modesto yesterday.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   02/07/1941 p. 1

 

Pneumonia Fatal to O. C Vieira Friday Evening

Olimpio C. Vieira, Olive Avenue dairyman, passed away at a Modesto hospital Friday evening following an attack of pneumonia, for which he had been taken there for treatment.

A native of Brazil, he had resided here for the past five years.  He was 51 years of age, and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alizira Vieira; four children, Mary, Tony, Frank and Olirnpio: one sister, Mrs. Mariana Pires of Patterson, and four brothers; Manuel Vieira Cardoza of Patterson and three residing in the Azores.

Funeral services were held at Sacred heart Church Monday morning with Rev. Joseph Porto presiding, following which a long procession followed the remains to St. Mary’s Cemetery for interment.  Arrangements were in charge of Davis & Evans.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   02/07/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of Mrs. Florence Haynes Saturday

Mrs Florence V. Haynes passed away at her C Street home Saturday evening, the end coming suddenly.

A native of Texas, she had resided here for five years, coming here from Modesto.

Beside her husband she is survived by two children, Quincy Haynes and Mrs. J. C. Williams of Modesto, as well as three grandchildren.

The remains were sent to Modesto by Davis & Evans, where funeral service were held Tuesday morning, followed by interment there.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   02/14/1941 p. 2

 

A. R. Rennie of El Solyo Passes Away

Alfred R Rennie, superintendent of the dried fruit packing plant at El Solyo Ranch, passed away at a Modesto hospital Monday night following a short illness.

Rennie has been connected with the big ranch since 1926 and has been active in many civic and agricultural matters, being well known throughout this area.

A native of San Francisco, he was 37 years of age.  He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Kathleen Ronnie, and three children;

Carol, Janet and Patricia.  His mother, Mrs. Clementina Rennie, and a brother, Carol Turrentine, both of San Francisco, also survive him.

Funeral services were held in Modesto Wednesday morning following which the remains were shipped to San Francisco for interment.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   02/21/1941, p 2

 

Former Vernalis Principal Dies

News has been received here of the passing at Oakland recently of former Principal Garrett of the Rising

Sun School at Vernalis.  He had served that school for sixteen years prior to his retirement a few years ago to make his home in Oakland.

A native of Missouri, Garrett had resided in California for 61 years.  He is survived by his widow, Mrs.

Anna Garrett, who also taught at the Vernalis school; three daughters, Mrs. Helen Brltton, Mrs. Ann Burpee and Mrs. Esther Hamilton, and one son, Dr. Robert Garrett.  Two sisters and five grandchildren also survive him.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   02/28/1941 p. 7

 

Pioneer of Early Days Passes Away

(Newman Index)

Another link in the shortened living chain that binds the present‑day West Side to the years of the pioneers was snapped last Sunday morning when Henry H. Mills died suddenly in Stockton as the result of a heart attack.

Funeral services were held in the Davis Chapel here Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock, with the Hills Ferry Masonic Lodge, of which Mills had been a member far fifty‑two years, conducting the rites.  Interment was made in the Hills Ferry

Cemetery

Acting as pall bearers were six close friends Grover Jensen, F. E. Bunker, W. W. Giddings, C. E. Hubbs, F. S. Powell, and J. H. Yancey.

Death came at eleven o’clock Sunday morning in the convalescent home where Mills had been living for the past year and one‑half.  And it was in Stockton in October of 1939,  that local Masons, augmented by many of its higher officers in the state, presented to him the pin which signified his membership in the order over a fifty‑year period.  He was 91 years old and, of those many years, 81 had been spent in California, 75 in the immediate vicinity of Newman.

He is survived by his only son, Aubrey, who resides at the ranch home here and two brother. Winter and Joseph. who live at Lemoore

Mills was born in Tennessee,  November 10, 1849.   His parents, imbued with the pioneer spirit, moved constantly westward, first to Iowa, then eastern Kansas, to Colorado with the “Pike’s Peak or Bust” gold rush only to join a wagon train headed for California, arriving in hang town, historic city of the Mother Lode, in the Fall of 1859.

It was about 1863 when Mills made his first trip to the West Side, joining other young men on a hunting expedition in the Orestimba Creek area.  The family moved here in1867, locating on t he Orestimba about two miles below the present ranch home.  During the early 70’ the family moved on to King City but Mills remained in this vicinity.   With the Underwood Brothers, early day farmers, he helped to plant one of the first crops of wheat to be grown in the Hills Ferry district.  He also worked for the Crow brothers founders of Crows Landing, and carried out several grain‑farming projects of his own before turning to the cattle business on Las Carzas Creek.

From 1888 to 1909 and from 1924 to 1930, Mills was superintendent of ranches for the Simon Newman Company, retiring in that latter year.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   03/07/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of S. A. Cripe Tuesday

Patterson business houses will close from 2 to 3 p. m. this afternoon for the Cripe funeral.

Simon A. Cripe, Patterson business man for 21 years past, died on Tuesday night at a Modesto hospital after a losing battle of two weeks against a complication of maladies.

A native of Illinois, Cripe was 67 years of. age.  He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lona Cripe; two sons, Wade F. and Clyde S., and was the brother of Roy Cripe of Patterson; Mrs. Elva Edgecomb and John Cripe of Cerro Gerdo, Illinois; Frank and George Cripe of Lake City, Illinois and Lee Cripe of South Bend, Indiana.

Funeral services will he held this afternoon from the Davis & Evans Chapel, commencing at 2 o’clock, with Rev. Paul Studebaker of Modesto, Brethren pastor, in charge, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

Few in the community can boast a larger circle of friends than “Dad” Cripe, as he was familiarly known to young and old, and his kindly comment was a part of the day’s routine that will he missed by all.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   03/21/1941 p. 1

 

Roommate of Local Pilot Crash Victim

No sooner had Howard Minniear returned to Hemet last week following a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. 0. N. Minniear, than news came of the death of his former roommate, Pilot Rosenstock, who was killed in a crash when a student he was instructing failed to straighten the ship out.

The two youths had been sent to the field together from the Ryan School being, the youngest instructors ever sent out of that institution.

 

Patterson Irrigator,       03/28/1941 p. 1

 

J. C. Knutson Colony Pioneer, Passes Away

John Christian Knutson, pioneer settler of Patterson Colony, passed away at his Quince Avenue home Friday night following an extended illness.

A native of Denmark, Knutson was 86 years of age.  He emigrated to Wisconsin at the age of 18, and seven years later, established one of the first homesteads at Crookston, Minnesota, where the family resided until they again pioneered the way in a new venture, the settling of Patterson Colony.

The family arrived here in 1912 and built one of the first houses in the northern part of the Colony, which is still their home.  On August 1st last, Mr. and Mrs. Knutson celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.  Mrs. Knutson and eight of their eleven children survive him; Miss Emelia Knutson of Patterson; Mrs. A. L. Mortensen of Palo Alto; Mrs. R. Lee Pearson of Wilmington; Miss Lois Knutson of Los Angeles; Mrs. J. R. Nicolds and Alfred, George and Clifford Knutson of Patterson.

Funeral services were held from Our Saviors Lutheran Church Monday afternoon with Rev. 0. Ingvoldstad officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   04/04/1941 p. 1

 

Grayson Resident Passes

Robert C. Auldridge, Grayson resident for the past seven years, passed away at his home Friday following a lengthy illness.

A native of Arkansas, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dellar Auldridge, and six children; David Auldridge of St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Edith Curtis of Visalia, Jesse Auldridge of San Diego. and Mrs. Jewell Johnson, Dallas Auldridge and Marguerite Auldridge of Grayson.

Funeral services were held from the Davis & Evans Chapel Monday afternoon with Rev. John Greer of Grayson officiating.  Interment followed in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   04/18/1941 p. 6

 

Two Killed by Freight Train at Gustine

Gustine, April 17 — (Special) —Two men were instantly killed at Gustine shortly after six o’clock yesterday morning by a southbound freight train, their heads being crushed and bodies torn.

The death of the first caused the death of the second.   Just north of the Borden crossing, the engine struck C. M. Massey as he was walking along the track.  The sudden application of brakes threw the other man, as yet unidentified, under the wheels from the railroad car on which he was evidently riding, according to Deputy Coroner Hal Davis and other officers who investigated.

The latter’s body, apparently that of a Filipino or a Mexican, was found 300 yards north of where the other man was struck.

Massey was unknown in Gustine.  Both bodies were taken to the Davis Chapel and fingerprints forwarded to authorities for possible further identification.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   04/18/1941 p. 7

 

Livermore Man Leaps to Death

Wilburn Sinclair, 31 year‑old resident of Livermore, was drowned Sunday morning when he jumped into the San Joaquin River from the edge of the Fremont Bridge on the Gustine‑Merced highway.

In spite of hours of search and of the use of grappling hooks, Deputy Coroner Hal Davis, assisted by sheriff’s deputies from Merced, has not been able to locate the body.

Several Witnesses

According to several witnesses, Sinclair suddenly ran to the edge of the bridge, fully clothed, shouted, “Here goes” and plunged upstream into the middle of the river. The swift current at that point swept him under the bridge and on down the river before anyone could go to his aid.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   04/25/1941 p. 1

 

Lars H. Locken Passes Away at Oakland

Another of the pioneers that were prominent in the establishment of Patterson Colony passed away Saturday as Lars H. Locken died at Oakland where he had been receiving treatment for several months past.

And Locken was a real pioneer, having seen the development of Minnesota before coming to California.   A native of Norway, aged 72  years, he was one of a fatherless family of 12 that came to this country when he was 11 years old.  They saw real hardships in establishing their home in the newly developed area and Locken grew up with the country.

Purchasing a Eucalyptus Avenue tract in 1911 when the new colony was first opened, the family moved here in 1912, residing in the home they built there until about seven years ago, when they moved into town.

The deceased is survived by his widow,  Mrs. Mathilda Locken; one daughter, Mrs. Alpha Keeter of San Francisco; one son, Arthur J. Locken of Modesto, and one grandson, Bruce Locken.

Funeral services were held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Monday afternoon with Rev. Orlando Ingvoldstad in charge, followed by interment In Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   05/02/1941 p. 1

 

Brother of Mrs. Rogers Passes

Frank Noya of Centerville, brother of Mrs. Mary Rogers, passed away at the Rogers ranch Wednesday evening, following an extended illness.  He had been visiting here for some months past while undergoing treatment.

He as a native of San Lorenzo, aged 75 years, and is survived by two other sisters also; Mrs. Theresa Garcia of San Francisco and Mrs. Emily Martins of Centerville, a niece and nephew.  Mrs. Emily Harsen and Dan Rogers of Patterson, are the only other immediate relatives surviving.

Funeral services will be held at Centerville Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   05/02/1941 p. 1

 

Lloyd McAulay Passes Away Wednesday

Believe, to be on the road to recovery following a critical operation, Lloyd McAulay, pioneer Crows Landing merchant, passed away at a Modesto hospital at midnight Wednesday as he suffered a sudden relapse.

A resident of Crows Landing for years, McAulay was one of the most widely known and respected citizens of the West Side and played a major role in its development.

Purchasing a share in the mercantile business of Henry S. Ellis, the firm of Ellis & McAulay was conducted for many years.  Later McAulay bought complete control of the business, continuing until illness forced his retirement a few months ago.

He served as Crows Landing host master for nearly a generation and was a leader in civic activities, both in C rows Landing and in general West Side development.  One of his major dreams was the bringing of irrigation to the lands outside the Miller canal, and he devoted many years to that work, paving the way in part for the formation of the West Stanislaus Irrigation district, which in final form however, omitted the Crows Landing area.

McAulay was born in Truckee 68 years ago, and is survived by his widow, Mrs. Carra McAulay; one daughter, Mrs. Lucile Filippini of Patterson; one sister, Dr. Marion McAulay of Petaluma; two brothers, Dr. Martin McAulay of Monterey and Chester McAulay of Palo Alto, and three grandchildren, Alan Hitchcock of Oakland and Marnelle and Elmer Filippini of Patterson.

Funeral services will be held at the Shannon Chapel at Modesto Saturday morning at 10 o’clock.  Following this, the remains will be taken to Oakland for cremation, with private services there.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   05/02/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of Mrs. R. D. Poling

Mrs. Nellie Poling, wife of Reuben D. Poling of Watsonville, passed away Saturday at her home following a heart attack.

Aged 73 years, she was a pioneer native daughter, having been born near Angles camp.  The Polings resided in the Vernalis area for many years, retiring to make their home at the Coast about ten years ago.  Poling is a nephew of N. E. Welty of Patterson.

Funeral services were held at Stockton Tuesday afternoon with quite a few from the West Side attending.        

 

Patterson Irrigator,   06/06/1941 p. 1

 

John M. Brennan, Old River Pilot Passes Away

A link with the early days of the West Side river towns was cut Sunday as John M. Brennan, one of the last of the old river pilots, passed away at a Modesto hospital.

Brennan used to navigate the boats that came up for grain shipments and spent 60 of his 85 years in this part of California. He had resided at Grayson in his declining years and has been caretaker of the Grayson bridge for about 15 years past.  He was a native of Ireland.

Funeral services were held from Sacred Heart Church Wednesday morning, with Rev. Joseph Porto in charge, followed by interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   06/13/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of Mrs. Annie Ralston Tuesday

Failing to rally from a stroke at her Del Puerto Avenue home four days previous, Mrs. Annie Ralston passed away at a Turlock hospital Tuesday morning.

A native of Kentucky, Mrs. Ralston was 75 years of age and had resided in this area since 1914.  She was the widow of T. F. Ralston, who passed away a few years after corning to Patterson, and the mother of William T. Ralston and of the late Postmaster Arvin P. Ralston, whose passing five months ago was a severer shock to her.

Four grandchildren also survive; Mrs. Max Denny, Miss Sara Jane Ralston and Davis Lee and Charles William Ralston, and one great grandson, Glenn Denny.

Funeral services were held at the Davis and Evans Chapel yesterday afternoon with Rev. John W. White officiating, followed by interment in the family plot in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   06/20/1941 p. 1

 

Train Kills Dairyman Yesterday

Rancher Instantly Killed as Owl Strikes Car

Dazed by loss of sleep following 24 hours continuous work irrigating, Manuel T. Soares, dairyman of the Crows Landing section, was instantly killed early yesterday morning when his car was annihilated by the speeding northbound Owl.

The mishap occurred at the private crossing leading from the West Side Highway to the William Silva ranch just south of the Stomar Pumping Station of the Associated Oil Co., 3 miles south of Crows Landing.

Soares had just finished irrigating at his nearby ranch and was driving in to tell Silva to take over the water when the crash occurred.

His pick-up was hit squarely and the tangled wreckage was carried three-tenths of a mile before the train could be stopped.

Soares was 39 years of age, a native of the Azores.  His wife and two children, Isabel and George, survive him.

Funeral services will be held from the Newman Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Saturday.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   06/27/1941 p. 1

 

81 Descendants Survive Mrs. Mary Rose

Eighty‑one direct descendants mourn the passing of Mrs. Mary Rose, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Manuel Silva, on North Fourth Street Tuesday morning.

Ten children, thirty‑five grandchildren and thirty‑six great-grandchildren are included in this remarkable family.

Mrs. Rose was a native of the Azores Islands, aged 76 years, but had been a resident of this country for 60 years.  She had resided here for the past nine years.

She is survived by four daughters; Mrs. Mary J. Enos of Berkeley, Mrs. Lillian Cardoza of Manteca and Mrs. Josephine Coito and Mrs. Emily Silva of Patterson; six sons; Frank  J., Peter J., Manuel J. and Aneble of  San Francisco, Cosmos of Hayward and Joseph J. of Riverside.

Funeral services will be held this morning at 10 o’clock at Sacred Heart Church, with Rev. Joseph Porto officiating, followed by interment in Newman Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   07/04/1941 p. 5

 

Delphia Brothers’ Father Passes

Funeral services were held Monday at Stockton for George C. Delphia, 71, father of John and Elwyn Delphia of Patterson, who passed away there Friday.

He is survived by one other son, George C. Delphia, Jr., of Fresno, and three daughters; Mrs. Gus Magnuson, Mrs. Henry Ott, and Mrs. 0. N. Schestnut, all of Stockton.  Seven grandchildren also survive him.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   07/11/1941 p. 5

 

Newman Boy Is Fatally Injured by Horse’s Kick

Newman, July 10. — (Special) — A crushing blow from a horse’s hoof claimed the life of Donald Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Davis, Tuesday morning.  Rushed immediately to the West Side Hospital, the six and one‑half year old boy passed away within a few moments, a  terribly fractured skull making it impossible for physicians to do other than stand helplessly by.

The tragedy occurred about nine o’clock Tuesday morning.  With his mother and his older brother, Walter, Donald had gone out to the ranch home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Petersen.  There was a ten‑day‑old colt out in the corral with its mother, a colt that had become a favorite of the boy.  As soon as they arrived at the Petersen home, Donald and Walter, accompanied by their uncle, Howard Petersen, went out to the corral.

No one saw what happened. Donald was on the ground, unconscious, a few feet back of the colt’s mother,  a cut on the side of his head.  Later examination revealed that the kick had fractured the side and entire front of the skull.

The boy had completed his first year of study in the P Street Grammar School and was an active member of the Cub Pack.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   07/18/1941 p. 1

 

Grayson Pioneer Passes Away at Modesto

Guy F. Donkin, born in Grayson 61years ago, passed away at Modesto Wednesday night, severing another link with pioneer days on the West Side. His father, J. F. Donkin, conducted a plumbing shop in a two‑story brick structure, a landmark there until about twenty years ago when it was dismantled and the material employed in building the two-story garage structure on South Third Street, vacant at present.

Outside of five years on the family ranch on Sperry Avenue, now operated by his son, Roderick, Donkin has spent the greater part of his life in Modesto, where he operated a plumbing shop, and in later years has been superintendent of the Odd Fellows Cemetery there.

Death resulted from a blood clot induced by a mishap three weeks ago with a power hedge trimmer.

He is survived by his widow; three daughters; Mrs. Beuna Roberts of Modesto; Mrs. Wilma Schraeder of Los Angeles and Mrs. Viola McGregor of Yea, Victoria, Australia; three sons; Forrest and Gordon of Modesto and Roderlck of Patterson, and two sisters; Miss Margaret Donkin of Modesto and Miss Isabella Donkin of San Francisco.

Funeral services will be held at1:30 Saturday afternoon at the Shannon Chapel, Modesto, followed by Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery there.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   07/18/1941 p. 5

 

Walter Crow Died in San Francisco

Crows Landing, July 17‑ Walter C. Crow, son and grandson of pioneer settlers in this district, passed away in a San Francisco hospital on Tuesday morning, after an illness of several months.

Although he had seemed much improved on Sunday when local relatives visited the hospital, a heart attack caused his death at 10:15 a.m., according to word reaching here.

Funeral services are to be held this Thursday morning at 10:30 in the Ganter‑Felder‑Kenny Mortuary at1965 Market Street, San Francisco.

Cow had lived in Crows Landing all of his life until a few years ago, when he moved to San Francisco to  make his home, returning here frequently to supervise his extensive real estate interests.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Crow and is survived by his wife, Gertrude.  His brother, Ralph, lives here and he and his wife returned home from Tuolumne Meadows as soon as the news of the death reached them.  There are two sisters, Mrs. Ben Munson of Modesto and Mrs. Jessie Bruner of Oakland.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   07/25/1941 p. 1

 

Infant Passes

Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral chapel Friday afternoon for Donna Brown, four-months old daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Ernest H. Brown of Grayson, who passed away at a Modesto hospital following a week’s illness.  Interment was made in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/01/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of Mr. Christina Kuck Wednesday

Mrs Christina Kuck passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Katherine Ramos, on North First St. early Wednesday morning following an illness of a month or so.

A native of Denmark, she had attained the advanced age of 85 years.  Coming to this country 51 years ago,  she had made her home in Patterson for the past 25 years.

Beside Mrs. Ramos, she is survived by another daughter and son, Miss Celia Kuck and Jacob Kuck, both of Patterson.

Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday morning with Rev. H. J. von Renner of Newman officiating.

Following the services here the remains were taken to Hayward, where services will be held at the Sorensen Bros. Chapel at 2 p.m. today, followed by interment in Mt. Eden Cemetery beside the remains of her husband, Peter R. Kuck.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/08/1941 p. 1

 

Passing of Mrs. W. T. Denton at Her Home

Following an illness of a year, Mrs. Viola Springer Denton passed away at her Las Palmas Avenue home on Monday morning.

A native of Canada, Mrs. Denton was 69 years of age, and had resided in the colony for the past twenty-one years, coming here from Michigan.

Besides her husband, W. T. Denton, she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Delia Hubbie of Cupertino, and one son, Clifford Denton of Patterson.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel, with Rev John W. White of the Federate Church in charge.  Interment in Del Puerto Cemetery followed.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/29/1941 p. 1

 

Killed in Road Crash

Former Patterson Youth Victim Of Collision

Newman, August 28 (Special) — One soldier was fatally injured, four others were severely hurt, and William S. Alvernaz, 21, of Crows Landing is in the West Side Hospital as the result of a head‑on crash of two cars shortly after 10 o’clock on Sunday evening.

Joe Aguiar, Jr., 23, of Tracy, a. former resident of Patterson, died Monday in the hospital here, a. broken neck and other injuries causing his death that morning.  The driver of the soldier‑driven coupe, Corporal Dean Simpson, and Elvin Piatty, Clem Ivy, and Troy Adams were less seriously hurt and were removed from the hospital here late Monday evening in army ambulances to Camp Roberts, to which the five had been returning from a week‑end visit to their homes.

Alvernaz is suffering from a cerebral concussion as well as many cuts and bruises. The fatal crash occurred on Highway 33, just north of Newman, between the two side roads that lead to the Mrs. J. L.  Kinnear home and to Fig Lane.  According to the story gathered by Highway Patrol officers, it is thought that Alvernaz headed north, had leaned over to pick up something from the car floor, the machine swinging to the left as he did so.  Simpson attempting to avoid a crash, said he swung sharply to his left at the last moment in an effort to pass on the wrong side of the pavement.

Just as he did so, Alvernaz evidently looked up, saw the oncoming car, and instinctively swung to the right to get back on his side of the road.  As a result, officers say, the two  machines hit almost head‑on, the soldier car swinging around until both cars pointed to the north.  Front ends of both coupes were folded up accordion‑like by the impact.  Alvernaz was alone in his car. Three of the soldiers were in the coupe seat, while the other two were stretched out in the baggage compartment.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/29/1941 p. 6

 

Sergeant James H. Mc Donald

Former Newman Girl Murdered By Ex-Husband

Newman, August 28 (Special) — Mrs. Robert A. Newcomb, the former Miss Dorothy Dunn of Newman and her husband of a week were shot and killed early last Saturday morning by Sergeant James H. McDonald,  her former husband. McDonald turned the gun on himself and inflicted a fatal wound from which he died early Tuesday morning in an Oakland hospital.

Near Hayward

The tragedy occurred in a house in the hills between San Leandro and Hayward, during the first night at home of the newly‑wedded pair.  According to sheriff’s deputies, McDonald had evidently been awaiting their return.  At about 4 a.m. he gained access to the house by shooting off the lock on a rear door.  Awakened by the noise, Newcomb jumped out of bed and switched on a light.  A volley of pistol shots was poured into his body, causing almost instant death.

Mrs. McDonald grabbed a .25 caliber pistol from a bureau drawer and fired at McDonald, the bullet striking him in the left arm.  She then turned and ran into the yard as a shot struck her right arm.  On the lawn the two faced each other as McDonald took deliberate aim and shot her in the abdomen, after which he fired the pistol twice into his chest.

Planned

The double murder and resultant suicide had apparently been planned  for several days, as officers found a note in McDonald’s car which charged that  “my wife married me with a selfish motive, then left... but this is the end and cannot live without her.”

As pieced together by the police, the marriage to McDonald, an ROTC instructor at Fremont High School in Oakland, took place in June.  She left him six days later and recently went to Ensenada, Mexico, to obtain a quick divorce.  There she married Newcomb, an Oakland plumber whose home was just a block away from McDonald’s.

The two arrived in Oakland Friday night from their honeymoon trip up the Coast.  Evidently they were afraid of what McDonald might do, as they obtained an escort home from the sheriff’s office at Hayward.  But no one was seen lurking around the house shortly before midnight.

As Miss Dorothy Dunn, Mrs. Newcomb spent her girlhood .in Newman and attended the local schools.  For several years, she was an operator in the local telephone office, later moving to Modesto and then to Oakland to reside.

She is survived by her daughter, June; her mother, Mrs. Georgia Graeme and two sisters, Kathleen and Bernardine.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/29/1941 p. 6

 

Dorothy (Dunn) Newcomb

Former Newman Girl Murdered by Ex-Husband

Newman, August 28 (Special) —Mrs. Robert A. Newcomb, the former Miss Dorothy Dunn of Newman and her husband of a week were shot and killed early last Saturday morning by Sergeant James H McDonald, her former husband.  McDonald turned the gun on himself and inflicted a fatal wound from which he died early Tuesday morning in an Oakland hospital.

Near Hayward

The tragedy occurred in a house in the hills between San Leandro and Hayward, during the first night at home of the newly‑wedded pair.  According to sheriff’s deputies, McDonald had evidently been awaiting their return.  At about 4 a.m he gained access to the house by shooting off the lock on a rear door.  Awakened by the noise, Newcomb jumped out of bed and switched on a light.  A volley of pistol shots was poured into his body, causing almost instant death.

Mrs. McDonald grabbed a .25 caliber pistol from a bureau drawer and fired at McDonald, the bullet striking him in the left arm.  She then turned and ran into the yard as a shot struck her right arm.  On the lawn the two faced each other as McDonald took deliberate aim and shot her in the abdomen, after which he fired the pistol twice into his chest.

Planned

The double murder and resultant suicide had apparently been planned for several days, as officers found a note in McDonald’s car which charged that  “my wife married me with a selfish motive, then left... but this is the end and cannot live without her.”

As pieced together by the police, the marriage to McDonald, an ROTC instructor at Fremont High School in Oakland, took place in June.  She left him six days later and recently went to Ensenada, Mexico, to obtain a quick divorce.  There she married Newcomb, an Oakland plumber whose home was just a block away from McDonald’s.  The two arrived in Oakland Friday night from their honeymoon trip up the Coast.  Evidently they were afraid of what McDonald might do, as they obtained an escort home from the sheriff’s office at Hayward.  But no one was seen lurking around the house shortly before midnight.

As Miss Dorothy Dunn, Mrs. Newcomb spent her girlhood .in Newman and attended the local schools.  For several years, she was an operator in the local telephone office, later moving to Modesto and then to Oakland to reside.

She is survived by her daughter, June; her mother, Mrs. Georgia Graeme and two sisters, Kathleen and Bernardine.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   08/29/1941 p. 6

 

Robert A Newcomb

Former Newman Girl Murdered By Ex-Husband

Newman, August 28 (Special) —Mrs. Robert A. Newcomb, the former Miss Dorothy Dunn of and her husband of a week were shot and killed early last Saturday morning by Sergeant James II. McDonald,  her former husband. McDonald turned the gun on himself and inflicted a fatal wound from which he died early Tuesday morning in an Oakland hospital.

Near Hayward

The tragedy occurred in a house in the hills between San Leandro and Hayward, during the first night at home of the newly‑wedded pair.  According to sheriff’s deputies, McDonald had evidently been awaiting their return. At about 4 am he gained access to the house by shooting off the lock on a rear door. Awakened by the noise, Newcomb jumped out of bed and switched on a light. A volley of pistol shots was poured into his body, causing almost instant death.

Mrs. McDonald grabbed a .25 caliber pistol from a bureau drawer and fired at McDonald, the bullet striking him in the left arm. She then turned and ran into the yard as a shot struck her right arm. On the lawn the two faced each other as McDonald took deliberate aim and shot her in the abdomen, after which he fired the pistol twice into his chest.

Planned

The double murder and resultant suicide had apparently been planned  for several days, as officers found a note in McDonald’s car which charged that  “my wife married me with a selfish motive, then left, but this is the end and cannot live without her.”

As pieced together by the police, the marriage to McDonald, an ROTC instructor at Fremont High School in Oakland, took place in June. She left him six days later and recently went to Ensenada, Mexico, to obtain a quick divorce.  There she married Newcomb, an Oakland plumber whose home was just a block away from

McDonald’s.  The two arrived in Oakland Friday night from their honeymoon trip up the Coast. Evidently they were afraid of what McDonald might do, as they obtained an escort home from the sheriff’s office at Hayward. But no one was seen lurking around the house shortly before midnight.

As Miss Dorothy Dunn, Mrs. Newcomb spent her girlhood .in Newman and attended the local schools. For several years, she was an operator in the local telephone office, later moving to Modesto and then to Oakland to reside.

She is survived by her daughter, June; her mother, Mrs. Georgia Graeme and two sisters, Kathleen and Bernardine.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/05/1941 p.  2

 

Services Held

Private graveside services were held at Del Puerto Cemetery yesterday morning for the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Bloom, with Rev. John W. White officiating.  The infant failed to survive at birth Monday.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/19/1941 p. 1

 

Local Woman Passes Away at Modesto

Mrs. Elizabeth Emaline Simpson passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday following a short illness.  Aged, 27, she was a native of Arizona.

She is survived by her husband, W. W. Simpson and three sons and a daughter, William, Aaron, Bert and Priscilla; by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Davis Stevenson of Grayson, and three brothers and four sisters, David and Louis Stevenson of Grayson, Clarence Stevenson, Mrs. Shipley and Mrs. Maulden of Texas and Mrs. Evelyn Lambert of Woodbridge.

Funeral services were held in Modesto Tuesday afternoon, followed by interment in the Modesto Cemetery.

        

Patterson Irrigator,   09/19/1941 p. 1

 

Death of Mrs. S. V. Norton at Westley

Mrs Lily Daisy Norton, wife of S. V. Norton, passed away at the home of her brother, B. B. Nelson, at the Westley Farm Workers’ Community Tuesday morning.   The Nortons resided in this vicinity for a number of years hut have been at Gustine recently.

A native of Texas, Mrs. Norton was 38 years of age.  Besides her husband, she is survived by her brother and mother, Mrs. Jennie Nelson.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. H. T. Langley of Modesto officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/19/1941 p. 1

 

El Solyo Ranch Employee Dies in Modesto

Jack Hoffman, 38, El Solyo Ranch employee, passed away at a Modesto hospital Thursday of last week as a result of injuries incurred ten days previous when he was struck by a car driven by H. E. Maydoyle of Marysville.

Hoffman had alighted from a bus on the Maze Highway to return to the ranch and stepped into the path of the other car, incurring internal injuries, as well as fractures and other wounds

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/19/1941 p.  1

 

Death of Magnus Engstrom Yesterday

Magnus Engstrom, pioneer Patterson Colony settler, passed away early yesterday morning at a Stockton hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

A native of Sweden, where he was born in 1862.  Engstrom came to this country as a youth of 17, settling in Minnesota, and arrived in the newly established Patterson Colony in 1911.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Johanna Engstrom, who was in Washington state at the time of his death.  The remains are at the Evans Funeral Chapel, where further arrangements await the arrival of Mrs. Engstrom.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/26/1941 p. 1

 

Hold funeral for Magnus Engstrom

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel for Magnus Engstrom, Colony pioneer whose passing was reported last week.  Rev. G. Sjolander of Turlock officiated at the services and interment in Del Puerto Cemetery followed.

The deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs. Johanna Engstrom; one sister, Mrs. Hannah Nelson of Patterson; and two brothers, John Engstrom of Patterson and Otto Engstrom of Minnesota.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   09/26/1941 p. 1

 

Passes Away At Stockton

Mrs. Alma Carpenter passed away at a Stockton hospital Thursday night of last week.  A native of Texas, she was 38 years of age, and is survived by three sons, J. Frank, Dan and Billy.

Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.  T. Stonecipher of Patterson, also survive her, as well as nine brothers and three sisters. Glen, Herman, Lloyd and Clyde and Mrs. Perry Stewart reside here; Roy lives at Gustine, and the others reside in Texas.

Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Sunday afternoon with C. C. Lovelady, pastor of the Church of Christ, officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/03/1941 p. 2

 

John W. Carson Passes Friday

John W. Carson passed away at the home of his son, William T. Carson, on the Gaffery Road north of  Westley, late Friday night, following a brief Illness.

The deceased was a native of Indiana, aged 80 years, and had resided in this area about a year and a  half. Beside his son, he is survived by a sister in Indiana.

Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Monday afternoon with Rev. John W. White officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/03/1941 p.  5

 

Former Resident Died Last Thursday

 

Crows Landing, Oct. 1-- Roy Oswald,  a former resident here and well-known  throughout the West Side, died suddenly last Thursday, the victim of a heart attack.

A resident of Turlock for the past twenty years, Oswald was working as a carpenter at the new Merced air port when stricken. He was 60 years old, a native of Clinton, Missouri.

As a boy of 9, Oswald came to Crows Landing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Oswald, who conducted a hotel here for many years.  For a considerable period of time, he conducted an ice cream parlor and billiard room before moving to the East Side.

Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at the Davis Chapel  in Newman, with Rev. David Braun, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/10/1941 p. 2

 

Harry Van Buskirk Passes

Local business houses will close from 2 to 3 this afternoon in order to permit attendance at the funeral of Harry Van Buskirk.  Stricken suddenly without warning, Harry Van Buskirk, well-known local business man and pioneer Colony resident, passed away Wednesday afternoon in a few moments, a heart attack being the cause of death.

He was playing cards about 4:30 in his clubroom when he complained of a pain in the throat and went upstairs to rest. A few moments later, he suddenly collapsed and expired.  He had apparently been in normal health, having attended the meeting of the Patterson Rotary Club at noon where he was welcomed into that group as a new member.

The deceased was a native of Illinois, aged 56, and had resided in Patterson Colony since 1913.  Four years ago he purchased the business since known as Van’s Club.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ethel Van Buskirk; one son, Richard, of Berkeley; his mother, Mrs. Cora Van Buskirk, and one sister, Mrs. Palmer Smith, both of Berkeley also.

Funeral services will he held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Maurice Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/10/1941 p. 2

 

Services For Infant

Graveside services were held yesterday afternoon at Del Puerto Cemetery for the newborn infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Myers.  Rev. C. C. Lovelady officiated with arrangements in charge of the Evans Funeral Chapel.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/10/1941 p. 5

 

Farm Worker Died in Modesto Tuesday

Crows Landing, Oct. 8. — Frank Bush, a farm worker in this area for the past eight years, passed away Tuesday morning in a Modesto hospital following a brief illness.

A native of Pennsylvania, Bush was 61 years old and had resided in California for twenty years.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/17/1941 p. 2

 

Passes Away at Ahwahnee

llda Marks passed away Monday at Ahwahnee Sanitarium, where she had been for nearly two years past, receiving treatment.  A native of the Azores, she was 14 years of age. Her parents are dead and she made her home here with her aunt, Mrs. Manuel Perry, and attended the local schools. Two cousins, Mrs. Mabel Mattos of Patterson and Mrs. Mamie Mattos of  Newman, are the only other relatives in this area.  Services were held at Sacred Heart Church yesterday morning, with Rev. Joseph Porto officiating, followed by Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   10/31/1941 p. 2

 

Laborer Is Found Dead Under Warehouse

Crows Landing, Oct. 29. - James Ryan, farm laborer who has worked on neighboring ranches at times during the past fifteen years, was found dead last Wednesday evening under the wooden warehouse here where he had been sleeping.

An examination made by the coroner’s office indicated that death was due to natural causes.  Ryan was  60 years old and has no known relatives.  Interment was made in the Hills Ferry Cemetery on Thursday afternoon.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   11/07/1941, p. 1

 

Fatal Auto Crash Near Vernalis

Mr. and Mrs Clay Long and Robert Harrison were among the first to arrive at the scene of a fatal auto crash Saturday night when car skidded at the turn where the West Side Highway rejoins the railroad right of way north of Vernalis en route from Tracy.

The Pattersonites were returning from the Stanford-Santa Clara game at Palo Alto when a car ahead of them slipped on the wet pavement and crashed into a concrete abutment at that point.

Mrs. Helen Norton, 32, of Oakland was instantly killed as she was thrown from the car and her husband, Maurice Norton, was seriously Injured. The Nortons were en route to Turlock, the deceased being a sister-in-law of Mrs. Russell Anderson, wife of the pro at the Turlock Country Club.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   11/14/1941, p. 1

 

Funeral of E. R. Stafford Held Saturday

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Evans Chapel for Edward R. Stafford, who passed away at his home here Thursday.

Services were conducted by Rev. Maurice B.  Cheek, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Stafford had observed their sixty first wedding anniversary last August.  Beside his widow, he is survived by one son, Edward S. Stafford of Santa Cruz, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  He was a native of Illinois and was, 84 years of age.

His passing marks the close of a long and eventful career.   As a child he had memories of seeing Abraham Lincoln in the Illinois town where he grew up.  He later attended West Point and became a government engineer, in which capacity he was associated with many construction projects in the Southwest, serving with the Indian Department.  Stafford was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

He came to Patterson in 1928 to work for the company then operating the Red Mountain magnesite mine.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   11/21/1941, p. 1

 

Crash Near Vernalis Fatal to Modestan

A head-on crash in a heavy fog Friday morning on the Maze Highway a half mile west of the San Joaquin Bridge resulted in fatal injuries injuries for Herbert F. Johnston, 75, retired furniture dealer of Modesto.

His son, Herbert V.  Johnson, received a broken leg and severe lacerations and the third occupant of the car, Everett Woodworth, was less  seriously hurt.

The mishap occurred when their car collided with a. gasoline truck and trailer.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   11/21/1941, p. 1

 

Passes Away  at Modesto

Mrs Lucille Lillian Bryant passed away at a Modesto hospital Sunday evening, having been taken there a short time previous when a long illness became critical.

She was 47 years of age and had been a Patterson resident for the past four years, residing with her husband, E. E. Bryant, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Mobley, at the Azevedo Camp.

Funeral services were held at the Evans Chapel Tuesday afternoon with Rev. Maurice B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   12/05/1941, p. 1

 

El Solyo Ranch Worker Passes

Russell Victor Campbell, foreman at El Solyo Ranch, passed away suddenly as the result of a heart attack Thursday afternoon of last week. He had been employed at the ranch for the past 11 years.

He was a veteran of the World War and was 49 years of age.

The remains were shipped to Vancouver, Washington, Saturday by the Evans Funeral Chapel.  He is sur­vived by his mother there and funeral services and interment were held there.

 

Patterson Irrigator,   12/19/1941, p. 2

 

Mrs. Catherine Reed Ends Life at Berkeley