The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR.,
Wm. Foss Meets With Singular Death
William Foss died early Tuesday morning, August 4, 1903, at his East Side home, of arsenic poisoning. The circumstances of his death are very singular, though not the least of blame is attached to any one. Mr. Foss was helping T. Steinhilber the day before to spray his apple orchard, as had been his custom all summer. A short time before dinner hour Mr. Steinhilbers little girl took a can of arsenite of soda compound out to Mr. Foss. The same can had always been used for this purpose, but Mr. Foss, in a joking manner, asked if it was coffee. No, of course not, said the little girl, It is deadly poison. But it seems Foss put the can to his lips and took a swallow. Mr. Steinhilber found him shortly after deadly sick. The poisoned man was taken to the house and given quantities of milk and egg, which induced vomiting. A doctor was called and the patient was moved to his house. About six o'clock he became unconscious when the doctor was again called. He never regained consciousness and died early the next morning.
After he became sick, Mr. Foss said he knew the liquid was poison, but declared he didn't know why he drank of it. Mr. Steinhilber says the man has been working hard since early spring from daylight to dark, which with worry and trouble had broken him down, and perhaps while thirsty, and in a fit of absentmindedness he drank the poison.
William Webster Foss was born at North Adams, Mass. September 10, 1840. At the age of 14, with his relatives he located in Illinois, and in 1871 at Danville he was married to Miss Phoebe Purser. Five children came to bless the home, three of them preceding their father to the better country. In 1885 Mr. Foss was converted and united with the Methodist church at Belmont, and often he walked to prayer meeting from his home on the East Side, after the toils of the day were done. During the pastorate of Rev. Kaufman he united with the U. B. church, and has been a faithful, consistent member for three years. He leaves two sisters, two sons, and his wife, besides many friends to mourn his departure.
Mr. Foss was a veteran of the civil war, having served with Company K of the 37th Illinois infantry, General Black's regiment.
Funeral services were conducted at the U. B. church, Wednesday afternoon, by Elder J .T. Merrill and Rev. H. C. Shaffer, and were largely attended by his East Side neighbors. At the grave in Idlewilde cemetery, the ritualistic services of the Grand Army were conducted by members of the Canby post.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 2
CARD OF THANKS
The families of the late William Foss desire to return thanks to the many kind friends who gave their time and assistance during his sickness, and especially to those who furnished flowers.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 5
The many friends of Mrs. William Foss sympathize with the grief stricken woman, who feels deeply about loss of her husband. Mr. Foss was a kind and beloved husband. The fond affection which he bore toward his family, made the death of his two daughters a loss which bore heavily upon him. He was a hard working man and dearly attached to his wife and home. The impression has gone abroad that he might have taken the poison intentionally. The facts of the case are that he was tired and thirsty at the time. He asked the girl who brought the mixture to him in the orchard if it was coffee. Been hard of hearing he did not her reply, and in a fit of absentmindedness took a sip into his mouth before he realized what he had done. He immediately spit it out, but enough of the mixture was left to cause his death. Mr. Foss was not a well man for years, and had been troubled with heart disease. As long as he could speak he insisted no one was to blame in the matter by himself.
History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
WILLIAM WEBSTER FOSS SR. AND FAMILY D.M.C. 1876
Silas Webster Foss was born in Vermont. His first wife's name was Sally Webster but there was no relationship between the two families. The children of Silas Webster Foss and Sally (Webster) Foss were: Sarah, who married Mr. Littlefield, Marie, who became Mrs. Smith, and William Webster Foss, who married Phebe Purser.
After the death of his wife, Silas Foss married Miss Sargent, and they had one child, Ida. After the death of the husband and father Mrs. Foss with her daughter moved to California.
William Webster Foss and family came West in the early seventies, visiting his stepmother in California. In 1875 they came to Portland, Oregon where remained about a year. Their second daughter died while residing in Portland and was buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. Another daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1875.
Mrs. Foss's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Purser, moved to Hood River in 1876. Mr. Purser worked on the sanitarium being erected by Dr. W.L. Adams. One son, John Purser, with his family, located at White Salmon, Wm. Foss took land on the east side of Hood River in 1876.
The family of Thomas Purser made their home in the log cabin on Indian Creek which was erected by James Benson, some twenty years previous. In this cabin Thomas Purser was taken sick and after a brief illness died.
Wm. Foss built a small house near the road, and cultivated his land. In addition to his farm work, he worked for his neighbors, turning his hand to anything he could find to do. In December 1885, a son, William Webster, was born and in August 1887, another son, Lester. Lucy married Mr. Haskins of Newberg. Several years later she died, leaving two small sons, Dale and Frank.
In 1898 a gravenstein orchard was planted on their place, and a year later a good substantial house was built near the orchard. Ida became a teacher and while thus employed at Trout Lake, was shot and killed by a jealous admirer.
Mr. Foss was a devoted member of the M.E. Church, and often walked from his place on the east side to Belmont, going in the evenings after his day's work was done. As he became older he became quite deaf and often misunderstood what was said to him. While working for a neighbor, spraying apples, he was accidentally poisoned with the spray. After antidotes had been given and he was considered out of danger he died from heart failure. Lester was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism and after a protracted illness recovered but was never as well as before his illness.
The son, William Webster attended Willamette University at Salem, and August 1912, was married to Ruth Coon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Coon of Hood River. They reside on the Foss ranch and have three children: Webster, Francis and Mildred. Mrs. Phebe Foss with her son Lester live on the old place in a cozy modern home. Thirty two acres are in bearing orchard, where Silver foxes and Chinchilla rabbits add interesting features to the farm.
Wm. Foss Meets With Singular Death
William Foss died early Tuesday morning, August 4, 1903, at his East Side home, of arsenic poisoning. The circumstances of his death are very singular, though not the least of blame is attached to any one. Mr. Foss was helping T. Steinhilber the day before to spray his apple orchard, as had been his custom all summer. A short time before dinner hour Mr. Steinhilbers little girl took a can of arsenite of soda compound out to Mr. Foss. The same can had always been used for this purpose, but Mr. Foss, in a joking manner, asked if it was coffee. No, of course not, said the little girl, It is deadly poison. But it seems Foss put the can to his lips and took a swallow. Mr. Steinhilber found him shortly after deadly sick. The poisoned man was taken to the house and given quantities of milk and egg, which induced vomiting. A doctor was called and the patient was moved to his house. About six o'clock he became unconscious when the doctor was again called. He never regained consciousness and died early the next morning.
After he became sick, Mr. Foss said he knew the liquid was poison, but declared he didn't know why he drank of it. Mr. Steinhilber says the man has been working hard since early spring from daylight to dark, which with worry and trouble had broken him down, and perhaps while thirsty, and in a fit of absentmindedness he drank the poison.
William Webster Foss was born at North Adams, Mass. September 10, 1840. At the age of 14, with his relatives he located in Illinois, and in 1871 at Danville he was married to Miss Phoebe Purser. Five children came to bless the home, three of them preceding their father to the better country. In 1885 Mr. Foss was converted and united with the Methodist church at Belmont, and often he walked to prayer meeting from his home on the East Side, after the toils of the day were done. During the pastorate of Rev. Kaufman he united with the U. B. church, and has been a faithful, consistent member for three years. He leaves two sisters, two sons, and his wife, besides many friends to mourn his departure.
Mr. Foss was a veteran of the civil war, having served with Company K of the 37th Illinois infantry, General Black's regiment.
Funeral services were conducted at the U. B. church, Wednesday afternoon, by Elder J .T. Merrill and Rev. H. C. Shaffer, and were largely attended by his East Side neighbors. At the grave in Idlewilde cemetery, the ritualistic services of the Grand Army were conducted by members of the Canby post.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 2
CARD OF THANKS
The families of the late William Foss desire to return thanks to the many kind friends who gave their time and assistance during his sickness, and especially to those who furnished flowers.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 5
The many friends of Mrs. William Foss sympathize with the grief stricken woman, who feels deeply about loss of her husband. Mr. Foss was a kind and beloved husband. The fond affection which he bore toward his family, made the death of his two daughters a loss which bore heavily upon him. He was a hard working man and dearly attached to his wife and home. The impression has gone abroad that he might have taken the poison intentionally. The facts of the case are that he was tired and thirsty at the time. He asked the girl who brought the mixture to him in the orchard if it was coffee. Been hard of hearing he did not her reply, and in a fit of absentmindedness took a sip into his mouth before he realized what he had done. He immediately spit it out, but enough of the mixture was left to cause his death. Mr. Foss was not a well man for years, and had been troubled with heart disease. As long as he could speak he insisted no one was to blame in the matter by himself.
History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
WILLIAM WEBSTER FOSS SR. AND FAMILY D.M.C. 1876
Silas Webster Foss was born in Vermont. His first wife's name was Sally Webster but there was no relationship between the two families. The children of Silas Webster Foss and Sally (Webster) Foss were: Sarah, who married Mr. Littlefield, Marie, who became Mrs. Smith, and William Webster Foss, who married Phebe Purser.
After the death of his wife, Silas Foss married Miss Sargent, and they had one child, Ida. After the death of the husband and father Mrs. Foss with her daughter moved to California.
William Webster Foss and family came West in the early seventies, visiting his stepmother in California. In 1875 they came to Portland, Oregon where remained about a year. Their second daughter died while residing in Portland and was buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. Another daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1875.
Mrs. Foss's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Purser, moved to Hood River in 1876. Mr. Purser worked on the sanitarium being erected by Dr. W.L. Adams. One son, John Purser, with his family, located at White Salmon, Wm. Foss took land on the east side of Hood River in 1876.
The family of Thomas Purser made their home in the log cabin on Indian Creek which was erected by James Benson, some twenty years previous. In this cabin Thomas Purser was taken sick and after a brief illness died.
Wm. Foss built a small house near the road, and cultivated his land. In addition to his farm work, he worked for his neighbors, turning his hand to anything he could find to do. In December 1885, a son, William Webster, was born and in August 1887, another son, Lester. Lucy married Mr. Haskins of Newberg. Several years later she died, leaving two small sons, Dale and Frank.
In 1898 a gravenstein orchard was planted on their place, and a year later a good substantial house was built near the orchard. Ida became a teacher and while thus employed at Trout Lake, was shot and killed by a jealous admirer.
Mr. Foss was a devoted member of the M.E. Church, and often walked from his place on the east side to Belmont, going in the evenings after his day's work was done. As he became older he became quite deaf and often misunderstood what was said to him. While working for a neighbor, spraying apples, he was accidentally poisoned with the spray. After antidotes had been given and he was considered out of danger he died from heart failure. Lester was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism and after a protracted illness recovered but was never as well as before his illness.
The son, William Webster attended Willamette University at Salem, and August 1912, was married to Ruth Coon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Coon of Hood River. They reside on the Foss ranch and have three children: Webster, Francis and Mildred. Mrs. Phebe Foss with her son Lester live on the old place in a cozy modern home. Thirty two acres are in bearing orchard, where Silver foxes and Chinchilla rabbits add interesting features to the farm.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR.,
Wm. Foss Meets With Singular Death
William Foss died early Tuesday morning, August 4, 1903, at his East Side home, of arsenic poisoning. The circumstances of his death are very singular, though not the least of blame is attached to any one. Mr. Foss was helping T. Steinhilber the day before to spray his apple orchard, as had been his custom all summer. A short time before dinner hour Mr. Steinhilbers little girl took a can of arsenite of soda compound out to Mr. Foss. The same can had always been used for this purpose, but Mr. Foss, in a joking manner, asked if it was coffee. No, of course not, said the little girl, It is deadly poison. But it seems Foss put the can to his lips and took a swallow. Mr. Steinhilber found him shortly after deadly sick. The poisoned man was taken to the house and given quantities of milk and egg, which induced vomiting. A doctor was called and the patient was moved to his house. About six o'clock he became unconscious when the doctor was again called. He never regained consciousness and died early the next morning.
After he became sick, Mr. Foss said he knew the liquid was poison, but declared he didn't know why he drank of it. Mr. Steinhilber says the man has been working hard since early spring from daylight to dark, which with worry and trouble had broken him down, and perhaps while thirsty, and in a fit of absentmindedness he drank the poison.
William Webster Foss was born at North Adams, Mass. September 10, 1840. At the age of 14, with his relatives he located in Illinois, and in 1871 at Danville he was married to Miss Phoebe Purser. Five children came to bless the home, three of them preceding their father to the better country. In 1885 Mr. Foss was converted and united with the Methodist church at Belmont, and often he walked to prayer meeting from his home on the East Side, after the toils of the day were done. During the pastorate of Rev. Kaufman he united with the U. B. church, and has been a faithful, consistent member for three years. He leaves two sisters, two sons, and his wife, besides many friends to mourn his departure.
Mr. Foss was a veteran of the civil war, having served with Company K of the 37th Illinois infantry, General Black's regiment.
Funeral services were conducted at the U. B. church, Wednesday afternoon, by Elder J .T. Merrill and Rev. H. C. Shaffer, and were largely attended by his East Side neighbors. At the grave in Idlewilde cemetery, the ritualistic services of the Grand Army were conducted by members of the Canby post.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 2
CARD OF THANKS
The families of the late William Foss desire to return thanks to the many kind friends who gave their time and assistance during his sickness, and especially to those who furnished flowers.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 5
The many friends of Mrs. William Foss sympathize with the grief stricken woman, who feels deeply about loss of her husband. Mr. Foss was a kind and beloved husband. The fond affection which he bore toward his family, made the death of his two daughters a loss which bore heavily upon him. He was a hard working man and dearly attached to his wife and home. The impression has gone abroad that he might have taken the poison intentionally. The facts of the case are that he was tired and thirsty at the time. He asked the girl who brought the mixture to him in the orchard if it was coffee. Been hard of hearing he did not her reply, and in a fit of absentmindedness took a sip into his mouth before he realized what he had done. He immediately spit it out, but enough of the mixture was left to cause his death. Mr. Foss was not a well man for years, and had been troubled with heart disease. As long as he could speak he insisted no one was to blame in the matter by himself.
History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
WILLIAM WEBSTER FOSS SR. AND FAMILY D.M.C. 1876
Silas Webster Foss was born in Vermont. His first wife's name was Sally Webster but there was no relationship between the two families. The children of Silas Webster Foss and Sally (Webster) Foss were: Sarah, who married Mr. Littlefield, Marie, who became Mrs. Smith, and William Webster Foss, who married Phebe Purser.
After the death of his wife, Silas Foss married Miss Sargent, and they had one child, Ida. After the death of the husband and father Mrs. Foss with her daughter moved to California.
William Webster Foss and family came West in the early seventies, visiting his stepmother in California. In 1875 they came to Portland, Oregon where remained about a year. Their second daughter died while residing in Portland and was buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. Another daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1875.
Mrs. Foss's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Purser, moved to Hood River in 1876. Mr. Purser worked on the sanitarium being erected by Dr. W.L. Adams. One son, John Purser, with his family, located at White Salmon, Wm. Foss took land on the east side of Hood River in 1876.
The family of Thomas Purser made their home in the log cabin on Indian Creek which was erected by James Benson, some twenty years previous. In this cabin Thomas Purser was taken sick and after a brief illness died.
Wm. Foss built a small house near the road, and cultivated his land. In addition to his farm work, he worked for his neighbors, turning his hand to anything he could find to do. In December 1885, a son, William Webster, was born and in August 1887, another son, Lester. Lucy married Mr. Haskins of Newberg. Several years later she died, leaving two small sons, Dale and Frank.
In 1898 a gravenstein orchard was planted on their place, and a year later a good substantial house was built near the orchard. Ida became a teacher and while thus employed at Trout Lake, was shot and killed by a jealous admirer.
Mr. Foss was a devoted member of the M.E. Church, and often walked from his place on the east side to Belmont, going in the evenings after his day's work was done. As he became older he became quite deaf and often misunderstood what was said to him. While working for a neighbor, spraying apples, he was accidentally poisoned with the spray. After antidotes had been given and he was considered out of danger he died from heart failure. Lester was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism and after a protracted illness recovered but was never as well as before his illness.
The son, William Webster attended Willamette University at Salem, and August 1912, was married to Ruth Coon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Coon of Hood River. They reside on the Foss ranch and have three children: Webster, Francis and Mildred. Mrs. Phebe Foss with her son Lester live on the old place in a cozy modern home. Thirty two acres are in bearing orchard, where Silver foxes and Chinchilla rabbits add interesting features to the farm.
Wm. Foss Meets With Singular Death
William Foss died early Tuesday morning, August 4, 1903, at his East Side home, of arsenic poisoning. The circumstances of his death are very singular, though not the least of blame is attached to any one. Mr. Foss was helping T. Steinhilber the day before to spray his apple orchard, as had been his custom all summer. A short time before dinner hour Mr. Steinhilbers little girl took a can of arsenite of soda compound out to Mr. Foss. The same can had always been used for this purpose, but Mr. Foss, in a joking manner, asked if it was coffee. No, of course not, said the little girl, It is deadly poison. But it seems Foss put the can to his lips and took a swallow. Mr. Steinhilber found him shortly after deadly sick. The poisoned man was taken to the house and given quantities of milk and egg, which induced vomiting. A doctor was called and the patient was moved to his house. About six o'clock he became unconscious when the doctor was again called. He never regained consciousness and died early the next morning.
After he became sick, Mr. Foss said he knew the liquid was poison, but declared he didn't know why he drank of it. Mr. Steinhilber says the man has been working hard since early spring from daylight to dark, which with worry and trouble had broken him down, and perhaps while thirsty, and in a fit of absentmindedness he drank the poison.
William Webster Foss was born at North Adams, Mass. September 10, 1840. At the age of 14, with his relatives he located in Illinois, and in 1871 at Danville he was married to Miss Phoebe Purser. Five children came to bless the home, three of them preceding their father to the better country. In 1885 Mr. Foss was converted and united with the Methodist church at Belmont, and often he walked to prayer meeting from his home on the East Side, after the toils of the day were done. During the pastorate of Rev. Kaufman he united with the U. B. church, and has been a faithful, consistent member for three years. He leaves two sisters, two sons, and his wife, besides many friends to mourn his departure.
Mr. Foss was a veteran of the civil war, having served with Company K of the 37th Illinois infantry, General Black's regiment.
Funeral services were conducted at the U. B. church, Wednesday afternoon, by Elder J .T. Merrill and Rev. H. C. Shaffer, and were largely attended by his East Side neighbors. At the grave in Idlewilde cemetery, the ritualistic services of the Grand Army were conducted by members of the Canby post.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 2
CARD OF THANKS
The families of the late William Foss desire to return thanks to the many kind friends who gave their time and assistance during his sickness, and especially to those who furnished flowers.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 13, 1903, page 5
The many friends of Mrs. William Foss sympathize with the grief stricken woman, who feels deeply about loss of her husband. Mr. Foss was a kind and beloved husband. The fond affection which he bore toward his family, made the death of his two daughters a loss which bore heavily upon him. He was a hard working man and dearly attached to his wife and home. The impression has gone abroad that he might have taken the poison intentionally. The facts of the case are that he was tired and thirsty at the time. He asked the girl who brought the mixture to him in the orchard if it was coffee. Been hard of hearing he did not her reply, and in a fit of absentmindedness took a sip into his mouth before he realized what he had done. He immediately spit it out, but enough of the mixture was left to cause his death. Mr. Foss was not a well man for years, and had been troubled with heart disease. As long as he could speak he insisted no one was to blame in the matter by himself.
History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
WILLIAM WEBSTER FOSS SR. AND FAMILY D.M.C. 1876
Silas Webster Foss was born in Vermont. His first wife's name was Sally Webster but there was no relationship between the two families. The children of Silas Webster Foss and Sally (Webster) Foss were: Sarah, who married Mr. Littlefield, Marie, who became Mrs. Smith, and William Webster Foss, who married Phebe Purser.
After the death of his wife, Silas Foss married Miss Sargent, and they had one child, Ida. After the death of the husband and father Mrs. Foss with her daughter moved to California.
William Webster Foss and family came West in the early seventies, visiting his stepmother in California. In 1875 they came to Portland, Oregon where remained about a year. Their second daughter died while residing in Portland and was buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. Another daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1875.
Mrs. Foss's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Purser, moved to Hood River in 1876. Mr. Purser worked on the sanitarium being erected by Dr. W.L. Adams. One son, John Purser, with his family, located at White Salmon, Wm. Foss took land on the east side of Hood River in 1876.
The family of Thomas Purser made their home in the log cabin on Indian Creek which was erected by James Benson, some twenty years previous. In this cabin Thomas Purser was taken sick and after a brief illness died.
Wm. Foss built a small house near the road, and cultivated his land. In addition to his farm work, he worked for his neighbors, turning his hand to anything he could find to do. In December 1885, a son, William Webster, was born and in August 1887, another son, Lester. Lucy married Mr. Haskins of Newberg. Several years later she died, leaving two small sons, Dale and Frank.
In 1898 a gravenstein orchard was planted on their place, and a year later a good substantial house was built near the orchard. Ida became a teacher and while thus employed at Trout Lake, was shot and killed by a jealous admirer.
Mr. Foss was a devoted member of the M.E. Church, and often walked from his place on the east side to Belmont, going in the evenings after his day's work was done. As he became older he became quite deaf and often misunderstood what was said to him. While working for a neighbor, spraying apples, he was accidentally poisoned with the spray. After antidotes had been given and he was considered out of danger he died from heart failure. Lester was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism and after a protracted illness recovered but was never as well as before his illness.
The son, William Webster attended Willamette University at Salem, and August 1912, was married to Ruth Coon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Coon of Hood River. They reside on the Foss ranch and have three children: Webster, Francis and Mildred. Mrs. Phebe Foss with her son Lester live on the old place in a cozy modern home. Thirty two acres are in bearing orchard, where Silver foxes and Chinchilla rabbits add interesting features to the farm.
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