PULLMAN HERALD - 2 May 1896:
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KILLED IN A MINE
BURIED IN A CAVE-IN, IN HIS PLACER MINE
William H. Kitzmiller, for many years a resident in this vicinity, was killed at his mine on the Clearwater river last Monday morning.
He was at work with two other men at
the placer mine, about three miles from Harpster, and a bank of sand and gravel which he was cutting away caved in, and buried him beneath its mass.
His companions put forth every effort to rescue the unfortunate man, but when they reached him life was nearly extinct, and he lived but a few minutes after being removed from beneath the rock and earth. From marks on his head, it was believed that a rock struck him in the temple, and that he was unconscious from the first.
The remains were brought to Pullman by team, arriving here Wednesday evening. The funeral was most largely attended, as the deceased and his relatives had many friends and sympathizers in Whitman County.
In 1879 he was happily converted at a revival meeting held in what was then called the Branham school house, joining the Baptist church. Later he removed near Pullman, and united with the Congregational church. Since his conversion he had led a consistent Christian life, being closely identified with the church work, and an earnest worker in the Y. P. S. C. E.
He was a loyal, genial young man, who always made many friends, and genuine sorrow was expressed by the entire community at the announcement of his untimely death.
For the past two years he had been operating a placer mine on the Clearwater river, near Harpster, and among the people of that vicinity he had also made many friends.
The following letter was sent by Mr. and Mrs. O'Bannon, of Harpster, to the relatives of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. O'Bannon and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver having prepared the body for its long journey across the mountains to Pullman: "Having been intimately acquainted with W. H. Kitzmiller, the deceased, for more than three years, we extend to you our heartfelt sympathy. We know you have lost a loved one while we have lost a good friend and a loyal citizen. He has spent many a pleasant evening with us during the past winter, our door being always open to him. He seemed to enjoy coming to our house to sing with us. We did everything we could for his body in getting it ready to send to you. Again we extend to you our heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement,"
He leaves a mother, Mrs. V. A. Kitzmiller, who resides near Pullman, and four sisters and one brother.
His remains being interred in Whelan Cemetery by the side of his father.