AXTELL, WILLIAM
William Axtell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Axtell of Tecumseh, Kas., died at his home Monday, April 6th, after a
three days' illness of diphtheria. He was for about five years operator for the Santa Fe at Snow and at the time
of his death was day operator at Burlingame, Kas. The family moved from here about six months ago to Tecumseh,
Kas., where the father is operator for the Santa Fe, William was 20 years old and was reared in Johnson County
and has a large circle of friends here. Two sisters, Mrs. Earl Carver and Mrs. Ed Hines live here, and his father
and mother and a brother, Guy Axtell at Tecumseh. The body was buried at Topeka. (Olathe Register, April 9, 1914)
EASLING, W.
G.
W. G. Easling, town mashal of Bonner Springs, died Sunday, March 15, from worry connected with the trial of his
posse. Mrs. Gertrude Hedburg attended the funeral. Easling was marshal and was serving his first term. He attempted
to arrest Rolla Harvey an alleged bootlegger when Harvey put two bullets into the wall, one on each side of Easling's
head. The next morning the posse which Easling had secured and which had laid in wait all night, called for Harvey
to surrender. Instead a hand to hand conflict ensued in which Harvey was shot dead. That was December 16. Easling
and others were arrested later on a murder charge. Before the final trial, Easling worried himself to death. His
wife was a Hedburg, related to many people in Johnson County. (Olathe Register, March 26, 1914)
EATON, ELMA
WILSON
Mrs. Elma Wilson Eaton, wife of E. L. Eaton, editor of the Gardner Gazette died at her home Thursday evening at
10:30 o'clock after an illness of tuberculosis. Mrs. Eaton was 38 years old and is the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth
Wilson of Gardner. She was born in Gardner and is loved by every one. She was married in 1911 and with the exception
of three years when they were in Colorado for her health, they have lived in Gardner. She is survived by her husband,
mother, two step-children, Manford and Ruth, two sisters, Miss Carrie Wilson a teacher at the School for the Deaf
and Mrs. Frank Lyon of Gardner, two brothers, J. D. and Frank of Gardner and is a niece of B. L. Jacks of this
city. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Davis of the Presbyterian. (Olathe Register,
March 26, 1914)
FLEEK, HENRY
Henry Fleek was born in Virginia, December 1, 1832. He grew to manhood in Missouri, and was united in marriage
with Rachel Russell, September 24, 1864. There are living three girls and one boy: Mrs. Mary Towner, Mrs. Amanda
Lane, John fleek, Mrs. Rochester of Washington State, Mrs. Eliza Carver, Mrs. W. J. Moore all of whom live in or
near Olathe except Mrs. Rochester. There are seventy-two children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mr.
and Mrs. Fleek were among the oldest residents of the county. They came here in 1857 and have lived here ever since.
They are widely known and much loved by all who knew them.
Mr. Fleek united with the Methodist Church in early life. But on account of his age and affliction he was not able
to affiliate with church for several years. The funeral was conducted from the family homestead at 2 p.m. Saturday,
Rev. C. B. Zook officiating. The body was interred in the Olathe cemetery. (Olathe Register, April 9, 1914)
HAMMON,
MARY JANE (HINMAN)
Mary Jane (Hinman) Hammond was born on Hinman Prairie, Pike County, Illinois, September 16, 1833. She was the next
to the youngest of nine children. Her father's home was the meeting place for the early Methodist and later he
gave the ground on which was built Hinman Chapl. At a very early age she united with the Methodist Church and continued
a faithful member until death. She was the last of the family.
In 1851 she was married to Lucius Foote. Mrs. Clara b. Smith is a child by this union. On October 24, 1855, Mrs.
Foote was married to J. A. Hammond. To this marriage three children were born Edward C., Charles E., and Arthur
B. all of Olathe.
She came to Johnson County 1859 and lived near Grand View Schoolhouse. She has been a resident of Olathe for thirty-three
years. Mr. Hammond died December 20, 1905. They are gone but not forgotten for they lived to bless every good cause.
Their works do follow them.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Zook, her pastor, from the home on North Kansas Avenue, Sunday at 4
o'clock. Her body was graciously laid in the tomb, but the Spirit went to God who gave it. (Olathe Register, April
2, 1914)
MORRIS, MRS.
D. O.
Mrs. D. O. Morris died at the home of her sister in St. Joe, Mo., after an illness of a month. She left her home
here in Olathe about the middle of February for a short visit with her sister in St. Joseph and while there she
was taken suddenly sick and it was necessary to have an operation for gaul stones. She never seemed to rally after
the operation and finally pneumonia set in and she died Monday morning April 23.
Mrs. Morris was a member of the Baptist church here and was loved and respected by all of the members. She and
her husband came here about two and a half years ago and they both have won many friends. She will be missed in
all departments of work. She was a true Christian, a faithful worker and brought cheer and gladness to many homes
and hearts. She had charge of our home department work here and did her work well. The whole church is bereaved
by her death. She was buried at Fayette, Mo., Tuesday, March 24, which was her old home for many years. The friends
of Olathe wish to extend their sympathy to the bereaved husband and friends. (Olathe Register, March 26, 1914)
MORRISON,
OLLIE MRS.
Mrs. Ollie Morrison, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bert Meade, 1845 Penn Street, Kansas City, Mo., April
2, 1914, after a lingering illness of three months of suffering. She was always cheerful and hoped that she would
be perfectly ready to meet her Master whenever the summons came. She leaves three daughters, aged parents, Mr.
and Mrs. S. Ashlock, five sisters, two brothers, and many friends to mourn her death. A loved one from us has gone
also a vacant chair. But we do not mourn as those that have no hope, a grand reunion awaits the faithful ones.
(Olathe Register, April 9, 1914)
SIMPSON,
BETTY (MRS. G. A.)
Spring Hill New Era: Betty Simpson is dead. The word flew over our town as on the wings of the wind. Where ever
it touched it left sorrow, and the expression of sympathy for the bereaved ones left here, were many and from the
heart.
For many years she has suffered ill health and for some time her death had been expected, but when it came it was
a shock to everyone. Among us all she ranked always as a woman of culture and refinement, a kind neighbor a devoted
mother and a loving wife and daughter. She ran her journey of life in 46 years. It is a path marked by many deeds
of kindness and cheer. The floral offerings were many and beautiful but not more beautiful than the face that rested
so peaceful among them.
Misses Nelle Pattie and Beatrice Lindsay, Dr. H. A. Barkmann and D. U. Chaney sang in a beautiful manner, "Abide
With Me," and a number of other appropriate hymns.
The business houses and the public schools closed Wednesday afternoon and the business men attended the funeral
services in body.
Betty Mackey Simpson was born in Chilliclothe, Ross County, Ohio, March 30, 1868. She died March 30, 1914. She
came to Spring Hill, Kas., in 1881. She was married to George A. Simpson November 23, 1893. To this union one child
was born, a son, Joseph Stewart Simpson. She leaves to mourn her departure, the husband, the son, Joseph Sewart
and her mother Mrs. Anna Mackey and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral was conducted from the home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 by Rev. D. A. McCullough and burial was in
the Spring Hill cemetery. (Olathe Register, April9, 1914)
SNOOK, DAVID
I.
Dave Snook, came to his death Monday evening among the horses that he had trained and virtually lived with for
25 years. The body of the old trainer was found Tuesday morning at 8:30 by A. B. Huff, a neighbor who had gone
to look him up. Mr. Huff had called at the home of Fred Looney, a neighbor and Mr. Looney had remarked that he
had not seen Mr. Snook since the night before when at 5 o'clock he had been seen driving his colts into the barn.
Mr. Huff went to the Snook home which is southwest of Olathe and found the body in the doorway of the barn where,
from all appearances, it had lain since the night before. The colts had gone out and in the door over the body.
Mr. Huff looked once at the upturned face, muddy and unshaven and ran to the Looney home. Both Mr. Huff and Mr.
Looney returned to the ghostly scene. They telephoned to the sheriff the news of the death.
At first it was reported that some of the horses had kicked Mr. Snook and then had trampled him. However, Dr. P.
L. Lathrop and Dr. R. L. Moberly think that Mr. Snook died of heart failure. He had in his hand at the time of
his death a hoe. Mr. Benade thinks that he used the hoe to unfasten his hay loft ladder. The ladder was fastened
with a button and the hoe was used by Mr. Snook and others to get the ladder down from the loft. The physicians
think that he reached up for the ladder and fell dead. Then the colts ran out and in the barn of their own free
will.
The body was brought to the Ryan undertaking establishment and a brother, W. A. Snook in Kansas City was sent a
telegram but he first read of his brother's death in The Star. He came to Olathe on the 8 o'clock car.
Mr. Snook was a bachelor, 65 years of age, and a kindly oil man. For 19 years had trained fast horses and had handled
the worst type of western horses with success.
David I. Snook, was born at Fredon, N.J., in October, 1851, and died at Olathe, Kas., April 6, 1914. He left New
Jersey early in life and went to Michigan where he became interested in stock. Some 35 years ago he went to western
Kansas and took up a claim. Later he abandoned the claim and went to Wichita. From Wichita he went to Topeka and
later became superintendent of a large stock farm at Redding, Kas., owned by A. M. Edison. In 1888 he went to Kansas
City, Kas., and in 1895 came to Olathe where he has resided since. Last June he was injured in Kansas City when
he was struck by an automobile. He was subject to heart failure.
He is survived by five brothers: A. C. and I. L. R. of Newton, N. J.; Prof. J. L. of Summit, N. J.; G. A. of Montana;
W. A. an attorney in Kansas City, Kas., and two sisters, Mrs. George Gray, Jersey City, N. J. and Mrs. C. Rose,
Andover, N. J.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 10 o'clock from the Presbyterian church conducted by the Rev. S. F. Reipma.
Burial will be made in the Olathe Cemetery. (Olathe Register, April 9, 1914)
TAYLOR, MRS.
W. H.
Mrs. W. H. Taylor, mother of six children, one a son two weeks old, died near Hillsdale, March 20, the cause being
whooping cough and measles. She was a sister of Mrs. W. H. Gall of Spring Hill. (Olathe Register, April 2, 1914)
JOHNSON, ERNIE L.
Ernie L. "Cub" Johnson, 69, 7011 W. 69
Ter., Overland Park, died Saturday, March 24, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. He was born in Osawatomie and
lived in this area most of his life. He was with the mail division of Kansas City Terminal Railway Co. 46 years,
and retired in 1964. He was a member of Gate City Masonic Lodge and Village Presbyterian Church. He leaves his
wife, Irene Johnson of the home; daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Seinehart, Overland Park; two brothers, Pat Johnson, Grain
Valley, Mo., and Raymond "Happy" Johnson, Gladstone, Mo.; a sister, Mrs. Marie Picone, Independence;
one grandson. Services were Tuesday, March 27, at McGilley and Hoge Overland Park Chapel; burial in Johnson County
Memorial Gardens Cemetery. (The Shawnee Journal Herald, March 28, 1979, submitted by Robert King)
BAUCOM, REBECCA
Rebecca Baucom, aged 89 years, died at her home
in Missouri February 10, 1911, and was buried at Lenexa, Kas., on Saturday, February 11. Deceased was the mother
of Mrs. S. T. Burgess of near Morse, Kansas. (The Olathe Mirror, February 16, 1911, submitted by Cheryl King)
BAUCOM, GEORGE M.
S.
George M. S. Baucom, son of Andrew and Melvina
Williams Baucom, was born at Courtney, Mo., Feb. 11, 1862, and passed away at his home on East Park Street, Olathe,
Kans., on Feb. 28, 1945 at the age of 83 years, and 17 days. When 15 years of age he moved with his parents to
De Soto, where he lived until 1895, when he moved to Portland, Ore. In 1901 he returned to Johnson County, and
has lived in the Olathe vicinity since that time. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Baucom of Kansas City;
a daughter, Mrs. Dixie Phillips of 545 S. Serrons St. Los Angeles, Calif.; a son, Tech. Sgt. Raymond C. Baucom
in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas; a sister, Mrs. Susan Huston, near Paola; a brother James Baucom of Kansas City;
a brother, Burrell Baucom of Portland, Oregon; and a niece, Mrs. True Gibbons of 2319 Mersington, Kansas City and
several other nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the Julien Chapel on Friday afternoon, March 2
at 2:00 conducted by the Rev. L. V. Olehy. Interment in the Olathe cemetery. (The Johnson County Democrat, March
8, 1945, submitted by Cheryl King)
BAUCOM, MELVINA
WILLIAMS
Death of Mrs. Andrew J. Baucom. December 17, 1838,
Miss Melvina Williams was born in Cooper county, Mo. In July 1855 she was married to Andrew J. Baucom, of Independence,
Mo. Her death occured at the family home, east Olathe, on August 21. When a young child she united with the Methodist
church and was faithful to her charge until death. She was active in all the church activities until old age prevented.
She leaves nine children, seven boys and two girls, all of whom were at the funeral but two. (The Olathe Mirror,
August 28, 1919, submitted by Cheryl King)
JOHNSON, M. IRENE
M. Irene Johnson, age 91, of Overland Park, passed
away February 1, 2003, at home. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. February 8, 2003, at Village Presbyterian Church,
6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Private inurnment services will be in Johnson County Memorial Gardens at
a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Susan G. Korman Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.,
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244. Mrs. Johnson worked up to her death for Stanley Home Products starting
in 1954. She was a unit leader and area manager. Several times she was sales leader of the world. Mrs. Johnson
was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie "Cub" Johnson,
March 24, 1979; two sisters and six brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Margie and husband, Jerry Swinehart,
Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Debbie Swinehart, Overland Park, KS, Scott Swinehart and wife Rachelle, Belton,
MO; one great-grandson, Caleb Swinehart, Belton, MO; best friends, Ray and Julie Cain, Turner, KS. (The Kansas
City Star, February 5, 2003, submitted by Robert King)
CHOTEAU, MARY
Mary Choteau, aged 70, widow of Pierce Choteau,
the historic early settler who founded a trading post in Johnson county, Kansas near Turner, years ago, is dead.
Her husband explored and traded in the southwest when it was still a wilderness. (Sedan Lance, March 23, 1899,
page 2)
