FIVE
MEN ROASTED ALIVE
Portland, Or., July 30-The county jail at Baker City,
Oregon, was burned Wednesday morning and five prisoners
cremated alive. A sixth was severely scorched. One of the
prisoners complained of feeling sick, and the jailer
stepped across the street to a drug store to get medicine.
A moment later the alarm of fire was given. The building
was of wood and the fire spread very rapidly. The doors
were broken open, but the flames and smoke drove the crowd
repeatedly back. With great difficulty Fred Winkelman, the
half witted murderer of Allen Rivers, was dragged from his
cell insensible and badly burned. The five other prisoners
in the jail were abandoned to their fate. The names of the
victims are Louis Miller, George Plumb, Samuel Brown,
William Lamb, and John Cooley the confessed murderer of
James Lavery. Every appearance indicated that the jail was
set on fire by Winkelman, doubtless to make his escape
during the excitement.
Source: The Ohio Democrat (New Philadelphia, OH) -
Thursday, August 6, 1885
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Kesterson, Aline
Aline (Pratt) Kesterson , 90, of Twin Falls, Idaho, a
former longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 24, 2002,
at Bridgeview Estates. Visitations will be Friday from 9
a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral
home. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of the United Methodist
Church will officiate. Vault interment will follow at
Mount Hope Cemetery.
Aline was born on Sept. 19, 1911, at Greenfield Tenn. She
married Luther Kesterson in Poteau, Okla., and they lived
their early married years in Muse, Okla. Aline’s job was
being a housewife and raising their two daughters, Norma
Sue Griffith and Janice Faye Henderson. After their
daughters were grown, she worked as fill-in at the school
cafeterias in Halfway. She was also a child care provider
in Baker City.
Their daughter, Norma Sue Kesterson Griffith, was born in
Muse, Okla. In 1942, Luther, Aline and family moved to
Wright City, Okla., where Luther worked as a saw filer.
Their daughter, Janice Faye Kesterson Henderson, was born
there.
Aline and Luther moved to Pondosa where Luther worked as
saw filer; the family lived there for several years until
the mill at Pondosa closed down. Aline so enjoyed Pondosa
because it was a wonderful community. Aline moved with
Luther to Halfway where Luther worked as a head saw filer
at the mill in Halfway until his retirement. Luther and
Aline retired in Baker City and lived there from 1970 to
1996. Aline had a great love for Baker City. In May 1996,
Luther and Aline moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, to be near
their daughter, Janice Henderson. February 2000, Luther
and Aline moved to Bridgeview Estates Assisted Living
after living with their daughter for about four years.
Luther died April 13, 2000. Aline adjusted to life without
Luther, but never got over missing him. Aline enjoyed
going fishing with Luther and one of their favorite places
was up toward Cornucopia, above Halfway. They did some
camping along with their fishing with their good friends
and Aline’s sister, Opal, and brother-in-law, Henry. Aline
loved playing card games and Aggravation with their Baker
City friends. Aline also enjoyed groups at Bridgeview
including Exercise Class, Current Events, and she was a
regular at the bingo games. Aline was active in the
Methodist Church while living in Baker City and she
attended church while living in Twin Falls at the Twin
Falls Reformed Church. She also enjoyed attending Sun
Shine Circle. She had some lovely friends while living at
Bridgeview. Aline was a wonderful mother and wife and she
will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Cooper
Pratt; her mother, Mary Aletta Patterson Pratt; a brother,
Robert Pratt; sisters, Lillian Pratt, Ruby Lynn McCadams
and Opal Bowling; brother-in-law, Fred Kesterson; and her
husband of 64 years, Luther Albert Kesterson.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and
Paul Griffith of Renton, Wash., and Janice and David
Henderson of Twin Falls, Idaho; sister-in-law, Ethel
Fagan; six grandchildren, Karen Aline Bakken, Janet
Frampton, Kelly Griffith, Marcie Dawn Bennett, Arnold
Wright Mason III, and Ramona Aline Henderson; nine great
-grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett, R.J. Bennett, Kyle
Bakken, Amanda Bakken, Adam George Griffith, Nicole
Griffith, Nathaniel Frampton, Eleanor Louise Frampton and
Madelyn Frampton; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial
contributions made be made to the United Methodist Church
in Baker City; Twin Falls Reformed Church, Twin Falls.
Source: Unknown
Contributed by Christine Walters
|
Kesterson, Luther
Luther Albert Kesterson, Age 91, a former Baker City
(Baker Co OR) resident, died Thursday, April 13, 2000, in
Twin Falls, Idaho. His funeral was April 19 in the
Coles-Strommer Funeral Home. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of
the United Methodist Church officated, vault interment
followed at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Kesterson was born Aug. 5, 1908, in Gillham, Ark., the
son of James and Mary (Martin) Kesterson. He married Aline
Pratt in Poteau, Okla., and they lived their early married
years in Muse, Okla. He worked as a railroad foreman and
later began his career as a saw filer, in Muse. Their
daughter, Norma Sue Kesterson Griffith was born in Muse.
In 1942, he moved his family to Wright City, Okla., where
he continued work as a saw filer. There, their daughter
Janice Faye Kesterson Henderson, was born. Mr. Kesterson
was then offered a job in Pondosa as head saw filer and
the family moved there and lived for several years until
the mill in Pondosa closed. He then went to work as a saw
filer at the mill in Halfway until his retirement. Mr.
Kesterson and Aline retired in Baker City and lived here
from 1970-1996. He had a great love for Baker City. He
enjoyed fishing anywhere where fishing was good. He
especially enjoyed fishing up toward Cornucopia, above
Halfway. His other passions included playing card games
and Aggravation with their Baker City friends. In 1996,
they moved to Twin Falls to be near their daughter, Janice
Henderson. He was a wonderful father and friend and he
loved his dog, "Max."
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is
survived by his wife, Aline Kesterson of Twin Falls,
Idaho; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Paul Griffith of
Renton, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Janice and David
Henderson of Twin Falls; half-brother, Fred Kesterson;
half-sister, Ethel Fagan; six grandchildren, Karen Aline
Bakken, Janet Frampton, Kelly Griffith, Marcie Dawn
Bennett, Arnold Wright Mason III, and Ramona Aline
Henderson; and nine great grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett,
R. J. Bennett, Kyle Bakken, Amanda Bakken, Adam George
Griffith, Nicole Griffith, Nathaniel Frampton, Eleanor
Louise Frampton and Madelyn Frampton. He was preceded in
death by his parents and a half-sister. The family
suggests memorial contributions to the United Methodist
Church through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home.
Source: Record Courier (Baker City, OR) - Thursday,
April 20, 2000
Contributed by Christine Walters
|
Allen, E. A. &
Rivers, Louis
Horse thieves were on the 3d supposed to have murdered
Louis Rivers and E.A. Allen, wealthy stockmen and old
residents in the Baker City [Oregon] section.
Source: The New Era (Humeston, IA) -
Thursday, June 11, 1885
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Tolman, Cy
Cy. Tolman, formerly of Winnemucca and more recently of
Tuscarora died of dropsy at Baker City, Oregon, last week.
Source: Reno Evening News (Reno, NV) - Wednesday,
August 13, 1884
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
McHugh, Mary
DIED IN BAKER CITY, OREGON
Former Resident Passes Away in the Far West
Mrs. Victor Gross is in receipt
of a copy of the Baker City, Oregon, Democrat of July 29,
containing a very brief announcement of the death of her
niece, Mrs. Mary Simonis McHugh, who was born in this
county 53 years ago and who was married here to a Mr.
McGovern. They went west almost immediately after their
marriage and Mr. McGovern died there some years ago and
his widow after married Mr. McHugh. She leaves a husband
and four children by her first marriage. She died very
suddenly of neuralgia of the stomach on Friday, July 27,
at her home at Burnt River, near Baker City.
Source: Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, WI)
Wisconsin - Saturday, August 11, 1906
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Cohen, Ed
Ed. Cohen, an old resident of Baker City, Oregon, was shot
and instantly killed by George C. Israel, a lawyer at that
place, last Friday.
Source: Reno Evening Gazette (Reno, NV) - Friday,
November 5, 1886
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Randall, Will
Will Randall Dead
T.R. Hofer yesterday received a telegram announcing the
death of Will Randall, well known in this city, says the
Tribune. He died in Baker City, Oregon, after a two week's
illness. Mr. Randall came to Carson from Gold Hill to
accept a position in the Mint here and later went to
Oregon, where he was employed by a mining company. He
leaves a wife and two children, who were with him at the
last, and a mother and sister in this city.
Source: Reno Evening Gazette (Reno, NV) - Thursday,
August 27, 1885
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Freyes, Samuel
AN OREGON MAN KILLS HIMSELF
Portland, Oregon, April 4-A special to the Telegram from
Baker City, Oregon, says: Samuel Freyes shot and killed
himself her at six o'clock this morning. He was about
thirty-three years of age and was secretary of a prominent
mining company. The deceased is said to be worth more than
a hundred thousand dollars in mine property. It is said
that the cause that led to the act was the loss of $1,700
recently.
Source: Reno Evening Gazette (Reno, NV) - Thursday,
April 4, 1901
Contributed by Shauna Williams
|
Jenkins, Fannie
Baker City – Fannie Jenkins, aged 14, daughter of Captain
Wm. [William] Jenkins, a miner employed at the Virtue
mine, while walking from their cottage to a neighbor's
house with her little brother in her arms, stumbled, and
in trying to save the child from being injured, fell
backward and broke her neck. Death was instantaneous. The
place where she fell is as level as a floor.
Source: Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA) - Thursday,
July 9, 1896
Contributed by Robyn Greenlund
|
Samuels, Carl
BAKER, OREGON
STAB WOUNDS PROVE FATAL
Baker, Or., March 14 - Carl Samuels died here today from a
stab wound in the abdomen suffered early Sunday as he and
Mrs. Marie Holden Parker were returning from a roadhouse.
Although police were investigating the case, officers said
Samuels told them the wound was inflicted when he fell on
his knife.
Source: The Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Thursday,
March 15, 1934
Contributed by Peggy Thompson
|
Brown, Harvey
Noted Oregon Officer Blown Up by a Bomb as
He Entered Gate to His Yard
Arrested Steve Adams and
Has Been Doing Detective Work for the State of Idaho
Baker City Wrought to Frenzy
PORTLAND, Ore., October 2. A special dispatch from Baker
City says that former Sheriff Harvey K. Brown, who last
night was the victim of a bomb outrage very similar to
that which killed former Governor Steunenberg of Idaho, is
still alive and has some chance of ultimate recovery.
He lapsed into unconsciousness last night, but regained
his senses today, though he is still deaf from the
explosion.
No trace of the criminal has been discovered.
Brown is the man who arrested Steve Adams for his alleged
crimes in Idaho and for the past six months has been
engaged in detective work for the state of Idaho. He was a
witness against Steve Adams and expressed his fear of
taking the stand, for it is alleged he said he know he
would never escape alive if he did. Brown made a statement
in which he said that on the way home from up town last
night he met a man in front of a residence a block from
his own home, and spoke, but the man made no response. He
described the man as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall,
weight 105 pounds, wearing a brown suit and celluloid
collar, and smooth shaven. He said he was confident that
he had been shadowed for three weeks.
BAKER. CITY, Ore, October 2.
Harvey K. Brown, ex-sheriff of Baker county, died late
yesterday afternoon at the hospital as the result of the
horrible wounds he received from the explosion of the bomb
at his front gate.
Source: Daily Arizona Silver Belt (Globe, AZ) -
Thursday, October 3 1907
Contributed by Barbara Ziegenmeyer
|
Kelsey, L. S.
L. S. Kelsey, 60, a prominent resident of North Powder,
was killed when an automobile skidded and turned turtle
four miles south of Haines. Miss Nellie Slater, 16,
suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries, and may
die. Three other occupants of the car were slightly
injured.
Source: The Ontario Argus (Ontario, OR) - Thursday,
May 22, 1913
Contributed by The History of Today
|
Smith, Calvin
Died – At Auburn, on the 15th inst., Calvin Smith, aged
about 39 years. Deceased was an old resident of this
county, and was universally respected and beloved.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Saturday, April 22, 1871
|
Dwinell, Harriet
Died
Near Wingville Aug. 27, 1872, Harriet L., wife of J. W.
Dwinell aged 32 years and 9 months.
(Wisconsin papers please copy)
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, September 11, 1872
|
Perkins, Neddy
Died – September 24th, Neddy R., infant son of Mr. and
Mrs. Perkins
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, October 3, 1871
|
Morgan, Mr.
Died
October 3d. Mr. Morgan, recently from near Scio, Linn
county, from inflammation of the stomach.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, Ocotber 10, 1871
|
Spencer, Nellie
Died
October 5th, Nellie, infant daughter of Richard and Jane
Spencer.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, Ocotber 10, 1871
|
Henderson, Maggie
Died
October 9th, Maggie, infant daughter of Thomas and Sue
Henderson.
Funeral services will be held at the house to-day, at 10
o'clock, a.m., and friends and the public generally are
invited to attend.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, Ocotber 10, 1871
|
Baird, Eliza
Died
October 11, 1871, Mrs. Eliza Virginia, wife of John Baird,
aged 17 years, 1 month and 6 days.
St. Louis Christian Advocate please copy.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, Ocotber 17, 1871
|
Brewster, Ellie
Died – On the 28th November, 1871, Ellie E., infant son of
H. S. and F. J. Brewster, aged 3 months and 19 days.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Tuesday, December 5, 1871
|
McFarland, Edward
Died
Jan'y 2, 1872, in Baker City, of croup, Edward Bruce – son
of J. D. and Isabella H. McFarland, aged five years, one
month and 15 days.
Funeral to-day at 10 o'clock, a.m. Friends and the
public are invited to attend.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, January 3, 1872
|
Kahn, T.
Death of T. Kahn – The death of Mr. Kahn, of the
well-known firm of Kahn, Ottenbeimer & Co., of Baker
City, on last Sunday, though not unexpected, has cast a
gloom over the entire community.
The deceased was first taken ill sometime last summer,
while below attending to business in the interest of the
house of which he was so prominent and worthy a
member. From that indisposition he never fully
recovered. Courteous and accommodating in business,
governed by strictly honorable and just commercial
principles, capable of forming strong attachments and
lasting friendships, firm in what he conceived to be
right, and possessing a heart whose pulsations were
largely in unison with the kindly sympathies of human
nature, he was deservedly held in high esteem by the
community generally, and ardently beloved by his intimate
friends; and his untimely exit has created a void, in the
circle of his acquaintances and friends, not easily nor
readily filled.
At the time of his decease, and for some time previous, he
was a member of the Baker City Lodge of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in good and regular standing;
indeed, he was one of hits charter members, we believe;
and on last Monday his mortal remains were followed to the
Odd Fellows' cemetery by the Order, and a large body of
sorrowing citizens.
Generous, noble friend ! Farewell !!
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, January 17, 1872
Died
January 14, 1872, of consumption, T. Kahn, of the firm
Kahn, Ottenheimer & Co., Baker City, Oregon, aged 29
years and six days.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, January 17, 1872
|
Stevens, John
Died
Feb. 27, in Baker city, John S. Stevens of
consumption. He was a native of Cornwall, England,
was 27 years old, and was buried in the Odd Fellows
cemetery.
Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) - Wednesday,
February 28, 1872
|
Ohio, Mrs.
Died
On 28th, ultimo, Mrs. Ohio – consort of David Edwards, of
Eldorado – of consumption, aged 24 years and 13 days.
Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) - Wednesday,
February 28, 1872
|
Parker, Jessie
Died
At her father's residence near Baker City, on the fifth of
May, Jessie M.,wife of Wesley Parker; aged 19 years, 6
months and 11 days.
She leaves a husband, two children and numerous friends to
mourn her untimely end.
Friends, and the public generally, are invited to attend
the funeral to-day at 2 o'clock p.m.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, May 8, 1872
|
Toney, Alfred
Died
June 1, 1872, at his residence near Pocahontas, Oregon, of
paralysis, Mr. Alfred Toney, aged sixty-eight years.
(The deceased was among the first settlers of Baker
county, and was highly respected by his neighbors and
community generally. A large concourse of citizens
followed his remains to their last resting place.)
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, June 5, 1872
|
Sally, Infant
Died
June 7th, in Baker city, the infant son of Geo. and
Josephine Sally.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, June 12, 1872
|
Dooley, Honora
Died
In Baker City, Oregon, August 23d, 1872, Mrs. Honora
Dooley, aged 76 years.
(Idaho Papers please copy.)
Grand-Ma Dooley was born in December, 1798, in County
Kilkenny, Ireland, where she resided until after she was
married, when her husband immigrated to the United States,
and they settled in the State of New York, where he
husband died in 1838. In 1858 she moved to Chicago,
to which place her children had preceeded her; from there,
in company with her children, she started across the
Plains in the spring of 1862, and arrived at Auburn, 12
miles from where Baker City now stands, in the latter part
of Aug., 1862, where we first made her acquaintance; since
which time we have respected and loved “Grand-ma” Dooley
for the noble qualities of her heart and mind, as did all
who had the good fortune to become acquainted with
her. She was a member of the Catholic Church, and by
her acts of charity, her attention to the sick, her
sympathy with the sorrowful, and, in fact, by her whole
conduct, she beautified, honored and exaulted the religion
which she professed. Truly it can be said: she was a
noble woman, She was active and healthy until a
short time before her death; she had long passed the
average of mortal existence, and when called to
immortality, it was like the infant seeking repose upon it
mother's breast.
She died at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. I. P. Bowen,
surrounded by all of her living children, consisting of
Mrs. Bowen, and Jerry J. and John J. Dooley, with their
families. Her children, grand children and great
grand children were present beside the death bed to
console each other.
Her remains were taken to the Catholic Church, (which was
beautifully decorated) in our city, where the impressive
rites of the “Solemn Requiem Mass” was had, Father Dielman
officiating. From the church the remains were
followed by a very large procession to the Cemetery, where
was depostied all that was earthly, of “Grand-ma” Dooley.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, August 28, 1872
|
Harvey, Cynthia
In Eldorado Baker County, Oregon Oct. 9th, 1872, after an
illness of twenty days, Mrs. Cynthia A. Harvey, aged
twenty-two years, one month and fifteen days, daughter of
John and Hannah Sherwood; she leaves two little boys, John
and Alvey, and a host of friends to mourn her untimely
loss.
Source: Bedrock Democrat (Baker City, OR) -
Wednesday, October 16, 1872
|
Baird, Margaret
Mrs. Margaret Baird died in Huntington last Saturday at
the age of 80 years. She left three sons – D.
Cochrane and W. A. Baird, of Huntington, and Frank Baird,
of Baker City.
Source: The Oregonian (Portland, OR) - Thursday,
January 23, 1896
|
Aldredge, Henry
Baker, Or., Dec. 31 – (Special) – The body of Henry
Aldredge, found on the trail near Greenhorn Tuesday, was
brought to the West parlors here today. Funeral
arrangements have not been made. Mr. Aldredge is
believed to have died of heart disease several days before
he was found.
Source: The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, OR) -
Sunday, January 1, 1928
|
Metzker, Benjamin
William Metzker received a letter last week bearing the
information of the recent death of Benjamin Metzker, a
brother of “Uncle” John Metzker, aged about 80
years. He was an old pioneer of Oregon, having
crossed the plains from Iowa by way of emigrant train in
1852, and landed in Oregon, where he has since
resided. He was at one time a resident of Goose Lake
valley – twenty-five years ago. He died near Baker
City.
Source: Lake County. Examiner (Lakeview, OR) -
Thursday, October 18, 1900
|
Stevenson,
Katherine
Baker, Or., Oct. 9 – (Special) – Mrs. Katherine Stevenson,
of this city, has received a message from the War
Department notifying her of the death of her son, John
William Stevenson, aged 32, who died of wounds received in
battle September 9. He was a member of Company L,
264th Infantry. He was a Baker high School graduate
and the youngest of three brothers, the other tow both
being in the service, one now stationed at Camp Mead, Md.;
and the other in the Navy.
Source: The Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) -
Thursday, October 10, 1918
|
Baldock, Vera
Baker Woman Fire
Victim
Mrs. Earl Baldock,
Oregonian, Lost in California Forest Blaze
Baker, Or., Oct. 4 – (Special) – It was learned here today
that the Oregon woman who was burned in the Little Sepe
fire in California was Mrs. Earl Baldock, of Baker, who
has been visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. T.
Webb, near Fillmore. Mr. Baldock was summoned south
by a telegram.
Source: The Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR) -
Friday, October 5, 1917
|
Wright, Lavina
Halfway, Or., Oct. 23 – (Special) – Lavina Wright died at
her home at Pine Wednesday, at the age of 94 years.
“Aunt Vina” as she was called, came to Oregon in 1868 and
to Pine Valley in 1870. When she was a small girl in
Pennsylvania she was sold for a debt, and she always
remember the time when she was a “bound” girl. The
family to which she was bound crossed the plains in 1868
and she came with them and took up a homestead two years
later. Her physical and mental faculties were good
until about a year ago. Untili that time she raised
her own garden and made her own living.
Source: The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, OR) -
Sunday, October 24, 1920
|
