JUDGE JAMES SAMUEL SITTON DIES
WEDNESDAY EVENING AT HOME
OF A. O. SNIFFIN HERE

End Comes During Sleep for One of Oldest Twin Pair in the United States:
First Justice of the Peace for Dos Palos District:
Member of Odd Fellow Lodge for Fifty Years

Death late Wednesday night parted the oldest twins in the United States, and took one of the most revered residents of this section when Judge James Samuel Sitton died in his sleep at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. O. Sniffin here.

Born January 1, 1848, both Judge Sitton and his sister, Mrs. Rebecca Sitton Sparks of Los Angeles, gained nation-wide repute for being the oldest living twins in the states. They had been feted on numerous occasions in Long Beach, and had headed the annual "twin convention" parade there three times. As the results of being the oldest twins in the country, they were the guests of one of the larger air lines for a complimentary trip. The two were intensely devoted to each other, and Judge Sitton was in the habit of spending the winter of each year in the south where his sister lives.

Born in Missouri
Judge Sitton was born in Missouri, and joined the Northern forces during the Civil war. He was under age, but fought until his father had him mustered out.

He then came to California by covered wagon, and settled in Los Angeles. He lived there for some years, and moved to Dos Palos community 32 years ago. Here he had made his home until his death Wednesday evening.

He was first justice of the peace of Dos Palos, serving three terms on the bench from 1906 to 1918. Until his death he was known as Judge Sitton, and he looked the very part. He was a sturdy man that carried his age remarkably well.

Well Known Here
Judge Snitton was a familiar figure on the streets of Dos Palos, and up to the time of his fatal illness was in the habit of taking long walks. He was renowned hunter, and enjoyed the mountains and wild life of the state immensely.

He suffered a heart attack last May while at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. J. George, and has been ailing since. He was stricken by influenza January 16, and has gradually run down. Death came in his sleep, and he passed quietly.

Many Survive
The Judge leaves many relatives in this section, and follows his late wife, Mrs. Amanda Lawrence Sitton, in death. The couple were married in Los Angles in 1878. Mrs. Sitton died in 1893 and was buried there.

Judge Sitton leaves his three daughters, Mrs. A. O. Sniffin, Mrs. A. J. George, and Mrs. R. E. Angles, all of Dos Palos; two sons, C. M. Sitton, French Corral, and A. R. Sitton, Los Angeles, eleven grandchildren, L. C. George of Dos Palos, Clifton V. George, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Dale Sniffing, Los Angeles, Mrs. Paul Burk, Dos Palos, Paul and Claude Sitton, Dos Palos, Mrs. Martin Stewart, Los Angeles, Mrs. Elmer Sniffin, Donald Meinecke, Ruth and Sheila Ray Angle, all of Dos Palos.
Six great-grandchildren survive, Betty Lou and Arlene George, both of Dos Palos, Alfred Martin and Roderick Stewart, Los Angeles, Paul Phil Burk and Duane Donald Meinecke, both of Dos Palos.

Funeral Today
Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Dos Palos, with Welch and Griffin directing. Interment will be in the Dos Palos cemetery.

He was a member of the Oddfellows for fifty years.

The STAR joins with the people of this community in offering its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and regrets exceedingly the loss of one of the most prominent citizens of the town.

Dos Palos Star [Dos Palos, CA.]
Friday, Jan. 29, 1937
Transcribed by Alma Stone