Newspaper Clippings for
February, 1931
5 February 1931
Former Rosecrans Resident Passes Away in Canada
The body of Ralph Crawford, former dweller at Rosecrans, is being
shipped home from Canada, and will arrive here tomorrow. Funeral
arrangements will not be completed until the widow arrives.
The cause of his death is not known by relatives here, but his
demise came very suddenly Saturday night, surprising friends and
relatives.
Ralph Crawford, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Crawford, was born
at Rosecrans July 27, 1889, and lived in that vicinity until
about fourteen years ago when he moved to Plain Valley,
Saskaskewan. Several years before leaving Rosecrans he was
united in marriage to Miss Ruth Hanlon, who now survives him.
They have one son, 18 years old.
Other survivors are: A brother, Harry Crawford at Rosecrans; a
sister, Mrs. Ethel Frazer, of Kenosha; and his mother. His
father preceded him in death eight years ago.
Interment will be in Mount Rest cemetery.
12 February 1931
Mr. O'Brien, of Libertyville, representative of the Wearever
Aluminum Co., gave a health talk and demonstration for the
Parent-Teacher's Association Monday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Templeton and Mrs. Hazel McBratney and
little son, of Oak Park, spent Saturday with their parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Clarence Bock.
Mrs. Jessie Low spent Tuesday and Wednesday with Mrs. James
Wilson at York House.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Holdridge and daughters and Mrs. Bauman,
Sr., of Waukegan, spent Sunday at Lewis Bauman's.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bonner and sons spent Sunday with Mr. and
Mrs. George Beaumont, of Kansasville.
Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Kamper and Rev. and Worden Kamper, of River
Forest, spent Sunday at the J. S. Denman and Clarence Bock homes.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bonner and Vivien Bonner were Sunday
callers at the Thomas Anderson home in Waukegan.
There was no church services Sunday morning, due to the
illness of the pastor, A. H. Pierstorff.
Oakland school was closed last week, as Miss Madalyn Sheehan,
the teacher, was ill with the flu.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peters and Dorothy spent Tuesday evening
in Evanston, where they attended a celebration of the eighty-
eighth birthday of Mr. Peters' father.
A Christian Endeavor business meeting was held at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bock on Saturday evening.
19 February 1931
FARM HOUSE AT HICKORY TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE
Fire of Unknown Origin
Takes Home of Clarence Spiering
Total destruction of the home of Clarence Spiering by fire,
followed the narrow escape of Spiering, his wife and child from
the burning house Sunday morning.
Although the cause of the fire is not known, it is believed that
it must have come from the fire built in the stove about midnight
when the family returned from Chicago and prepared a lunch.
After the meal they retired to their rooms on the second floor.
Awakened by the frenzied barking of the dog about two hours
later, Spiering discovered the dining room to be all ablaze and
had scarcely time to save his wife and child before the stairs
were a mass of flames.
The fire had already gained such headway before it was discovered
that the Antioch volunteer fire department, upon their arrival,
was helpless to check the flames. The loss of the house, all of
the contents, and the clothing, is estimated to be almost $5,000.
26 February 1931
Among those ill with the mumps at present are Mrs. J. S. Denman,
Margaret Pierstorff, Phyllis Hughes and Gordon Bonner.
L. S. Bonner has been appointed to take charge of the Red
Cross relief work in this community, and will receive any
contributions for this work.
Mrs. A. K. Bain is spending a few weeks at the Frank Cremin
home, at Rollins.
Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Bonner and children and Mr. and Mrs. Gordon
Bonner and children were guests for dinner at the J. H. Bonner
home Sunday.
D. B. Webb spent the first of the week in River Forest with
his daughter, Mrs. Earl Edwards.
The Christian Endeavor Society held a social at the Masonic
hall Friday evening.
Mrs. Carl Hughes returned Friday evening from Decatur, Ill.,
where she spent three days as delegate to the Illinois Farmers'
Institute, representing the domestic science division of Lake
County.
from the Hotchkiss (Colorado) Hearald about 27 February 1931
NORTH FORK PIONEER DIES AT HOTCHKISS
William E. Gerry, Hotchkiss rancher and pioneer settler of the
upper North Fork valley, died Friday at his home and was buried
in the Hotchkiss cemetery Sunday following services in the
Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. A. C. Long. The funeral
was in charge off the Masonic lodge.
Mr. Gerry was 73 years old. His death was attributed to
rheumatism and complications. Surviving are his wife; one
daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Thompson of Escalante, Colorado; a
sister, Mrs. Hannah Edmonds of Waukegan, Illinois, and a
brother, Horace T. Gerry, also of Waukegan.
Mr. Gerry had been a resident of the upper North Fork valley
since 1884 when he settled at Bowie and engaged in mining. He
also worked in the mines at Somerset and later was rural mail
carrier for both Paonia and HotchRiss. For the last 27 years he
had made his home at Hotchkiss.
PIONEER OF DELTA COUNTY PASSES ON
William E. Gerry was born at Milborn, Ill. March 1, 1858, and
departed this life Feb. 27, 1931 aged 72 yrs. 11 months and 27
days.
Leaving home at an early age and spending part of his boyhood
days in Chicago, he went to Lake City, Colo. in 1880. In the
days of the city's wealth and prosperity.
In 1882 he passed through the county now known as Delta when
the Indians were just leaving the country and located in Grand
Junction, being one of the first six persons to build a house
in that city.
In 1884 he located at Bowie, owning a ranch, part of which is
now owned by the Bowie Coal Co.
After many years of service with the Somerset Coal Co. he came
to Hotchkiss. In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie
Lord. To this union was born one daughter.
Besides his wife and daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Thompson, he
leaves to mourn his departure, on brother, Horace T. Gerry, and
one sister, Mrs. Henry Edmonds both of Waukegan Illinois.
Mr. Gerry had a host of friends in the early early days of the
North Fork Valley, many of whom still survive him.
He has been a member of the Masonic Order for many years, and
died with a firm faith in that brotherhood.
It is hard to realize that he is gone but those who loved him
best, his memory will live to influence and enrich their lives.
