News Clippings from the Newport Miner

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In August 2017 the Pend Oreille County Historical Society sent me these news clippings from the Newport Miner.

1925 Death of Emma Smith

Newport Miner, 02-Apr-1925, p.5 col.4.

Wm. E Smith received word last week of the death at Buffalo, New York, of his mother, age 78 years. Mrs. Smith is survived by two sons, with one of whom she made her home. Wm. Smith, Jr., is now living in Buffalo, where he is employed by the traction company. Mrs. Smith spent a winter in Newport 14 years ago.

My notes:

• The article is about the death of Emma St. John Smith.
• Date of death was likely in March 1925.
• She was living in Buffalo with her son Bert Smith.
• "Wm. Smith Jr.", also living in Buffalo at the time, is Emma's grandson William E.G. Smith (1900-1957).

1942 Death of Susan Gragg Pierce

Newport Miner, 17-Dec-1942, p.5 col.3.

Newport's Oldest Resident Passed Away Tues., Dec. 15

Susan Merica Pierce, oldest known resident of Pend Oreille county, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the age of 91 years, 6 months and one day.

She was born in Taylorville, North Carolina, June 14, 1851. The daughter of John Gragg, a plantation and slave owner, she could list the Civil War among her life events and tell many interesting stories of that period.

Mrs. Pierce came to live in Newport in 1918, when Mr. Pierce established a candy and fruit store on Fuourth [sic] street.

Struck by a Milwaukee train at Fuorth [sic] street crossing in February, 1923, Mrs. Pierce lost both legs, and resided with her daughter, Mrs. Alice Smith since the death of Mr. Pierce in 1925.

Out of a family of eleven children, she leaves one sister, Mrs. Callie Haun, Elberton, Washington. Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Alice Smith, Newport, and Mrs. Maggie Freeman, Tampa, Florida; five grandchildren, Sgt. Wm. G. Smith, Fort Lewis, Wash.; Mrs. Leola Crysler, Newport; Mrs. Ella Murphy and Mrs. Ruth Hastings, Tampa, Florida; Joseph Freeman, Engadine, Michigan, and eight grandchildren.

Mrs. Pierce was a member of the Congregational church and Grandmothers' club.

Burial services will be held from the Sherman & Davis chapel, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m., Dr. J. Chas. Evans officiating.

My notes:

• The article is about the death of Susan Gragg Pierce.
• Date of death is 15-Dec-1942.
• Born 14-Jun-1851 in Taylorville, North Carolina.

1947 Death of William Smith (1870-1947)

Newport Miner, 30-Oct-1947, p.1 col.3.

Tues. Services Honor 'Billy' Smith, Pioneer

Funeral services for William E. Smith, 77, who died Saturday at the local hospital, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday with I.O.O.F. services at Sherman funeral home and military service at the grave.

Mr. Smith, who was born in Dunkirk, New York, came to the state of Washington in 1909. He served as a musician in the Spanish-American war from July 4, 1898 to 1899 and that year he was married to Alice Gregg. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for many years. He is survived by his widow, Alice; one son, William E. Smith, jr.; one daughter, Leola Chrysler; a granddaughter, Camille Chrysler, and a brother, Charles E.H. Smith, Silver Creek, New York.

Before moving to Washington, Mr. Smith followed sawmill work in Manisique [sic], Mich., where he was a member of the city band. Mr. Smith was a member of the first Newport city band and was a former member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.

My notes:

• The article is about the death of William Earnest Smith (1870-1947).
• Date of death is 25-Oct-1947.
• Born in Dunkirk, New York.

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