61. Former Michigan Man Dies Hunting Great Gorilla

William HERREN (1931)

Traverse City- Nov. 14 - The quest of a giant gorilla lured William Herren to his death in British East Africa last month

Herren was born in Montague, Mich.

An independent fortune made it possible for him to indulge in his favorite sport of big game hunting. He was particularly interested in tracking down the game which other huntsmen seldom saw. The safari on which he lost his life was his third..

On his previous African trips he had heard of the whispered story of the father of all gorillas; a beast so gigantic in size that no animal could stand before it; so cunning that it eluded every trap and so savage that no man dares to try to hunt it down. The story challenged Herren, and his third trip into the wilds was made with but one real purpose-to find and conquer the great gorilla.

It was while he was pursuing his quest that he shot and believed , he killed a loin. Motion pictures had made of the beasts charge and after the lion fell Herren went towards it to help in the filming. It was then that the lion arose and charged again, springing on Herren and bearing him to the ground. The hunter was terribly clawed and bitten but fought desperately with his bare hands. Meanwhile his companions, afraid to fire, were helpless, until one native dashed forward and literally pulled the lion away by twisted it's tail. Herren's friends immediately shot the beast to death. The American died before he could be carried to the hospital at Mwanza.

Whether the giant gorilla was some thing which existed only in folklore of the natives, or was a reality Herren had not learned at the time of his death. Reports sent back by then Herren party previous to the tragedy told of some especially interesting films which had been made during the hunt, notably one recording the death battle between two male lions.

Herren spent a part of his boyhood in Thompsonville, Mich., before making his home in Aberdeen, Wash.

Surviving besides his widow in Aberdeen, is the mother, Mrs Henry banks of Montague, two brothers, A.E. Herren of Traverse City, and John Herren of Cedar Springs, and one sister. Mrs. John Smith of Thompsonville.

62. Ex-wolverine Dies by Claws of Lion

W.H. HERREN, son of Montague Woman, Killed by Wounded Beast.

Native's Heroism Vane

Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, Oct 30-(AP)-Details of a hand to hand encounter with a wounded lion near Tanganyika in which W.H. Herren an American hunter, received fatal wounds were revealed Friday. Herren's body was cremated Friday at Mwanza. A native gunbearer seized the wounded lion by the tail and pulled it away from Herren, a contractor, of Aberdeen Wash. it was learned, but the victim died several days later while being taken to a hospital.

Herren, his wife and two other Americans were on a big game safari in Tanganyika. Herren and Gus Perret of Portland, Ore. separated from the other members of the party early last week and went to take pictures with only native gunbearers. Subsequently Herren shot and believed he had killed a large male lion. Perret started filming the scene as Herren approached the beast. The supposedly dead animal suddenly leaped upon Herren.

Herren fired but he was too late and man and beast soon were struggling on the ground with the hunter's two hands in the lion's mouth, frantically trying to stave off a fatal thrust.

His Companion was unable to fire for fear of hitting Herren and it seemed that he would be killed on the spot when a native crept up, seized the lion's tail and dragged it away. Perret then shot the beast to death.

The victim was rushed by steamer to Mwanza hospital, where he died Sunday from gangrene poisoning.

Herren was son of Mrs. Henry Banks of Montague, Mich. Two brothers, John of Ceder Springs, and A.E. Herren of Traverse City and a sister, Mrs. John Smith of Thompsonville, also survive him.

63. Will HERREN

Word Received from Mrs. Will Herren.

Mrs. Will Herren has advised relatives that she would leave Nairobi, British East Africa, November with the ashes of her husband. She will journey by rail and airplane to Paris, arriving there November 29. From Paris she will book passage to New Your as soon as possible.

64. Will HERREN

Mrs. Will Herren arrives in U.S. ( Dec.10 1931)

Story of His Death Is Told.

Mrs. John Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Herren, and Mrs H. Banks and John Herren went to Chicago Friday where they met Mrs. Will Herren, who had just arrived from Africa. They spent Saturday with her returning Monday. Mrs. Herren will continue to her home in Aberdeen, Wash. After cremation of the remains of her husband at Nairobi, Africa. Mrs. Herren started home with the ashes but met with obstacles at every turn and finally had to leave them in Paris until details for their transportation to this country could be made, which may be several weeks, then more time will be taken at New York. Services will be held at Aberdeen when they arrive there.

The real story of Will Herren's injury and death became known with Mrs. Herrens arrival. It seems that on the morning of the fatal accident Will and Mr. Perret went out a short distance from their African camp to take pictures. They didn't plan t hunt, rather to get some pictures of animals that came to the baits they had set. Finding a large lion on the scene.

Mr. Perret shot the animal and was using the picture machine when Will remarked that the lion was head and went toward him, when the lion suddenly leaped upon him, biting him viciously in the calf of his leg. Will had his rifle strapped upon his back and was unable to use it, but succeeded in getting his pistol from the holster at his side and shot the lion. This shot did not prove fatal and Mr. Perret, hearing Will's call finished the lion with another shot. When he was finally rescued one of Will's hands was held fast in the lion's mouth and the mouth of the animal had to be pried open to release it. Mrs. Herren was at the camp nearby and heard all the shots. Neither Will or the other members of the party considered his wounds dangerous at the time, and he was hurried to a native hospital in the vicinity and first aid was given. A white doctor camped 17 miles away was also called. Conditions at the native hospital not being favorable, Will was started on the two day journey to a modern hospital. He appeared to be standing the trip well and his condition seemed favorable until the second night when he became unconscious and passed away half an hour before reaching the hospital, Gas gangrene, always a fatal malady was the cause of death.

65. John HERREN - Highway Official Dies at Traverse

John Herren, 54 Was Widely Known in Upstate Dem Circles

Traverse City - John Herren, 54, district maintaince supervisor for the state highway department, died here Sunday morning after a long illness.

He was prominent in Democratic circles in Northwestern Michigan and moved to this city from Thompsonville four years ago to take the highway position.

Surviving are the widow, three sons and one daughter. Services will beheld at 2 o'clock Tuesday at the Christian church here, Burial will be in Thompsonville.

66. Mrs. Wm R. MENOLD called by death (1932)

A message which brought sadness to many here came Tuesday, telling of the death of Mrs. Wm. R. Menold at the home of her sister, Mrs. Joe Vandervest, at Ann arbor, that morning, Mrs. Menold had been a sufferer from cancer for a long time. She has had several operations and every effort has been made to secure relief but with no permanent results. Several weeks ago, upon advice from doctors that nothing further could be dine other than to keep her as comfortable as possible until the end came , she was taken to the home of her sister at Ann Arbor so she could be near to relatives and have their comfort and care. Most of the time since it has been necessary to use drugs to relieve her sufferings until death finally released her.

Mrs. Menold was born near Nessen City and had lived in this vicinity all her life except the past few years while Mr. Menold had been engaged in recreation work in the Highland Park schools, Detroit, when they have lived there. They lived at their summer home here for the past two summers and Mrs. Menold has taken an active part in community affairs, being chairman of the Homecoming movement during that time. She was a woman of wide sympathies, the kind whos passing brings regret to any community and people here generally join the family in their sorrow. Besides the husband, two sons, Renaldo and Donald are left also several brothers and sisters besides more distant relatives.

The remains were brought here Wednesday night and the funeral is being held at Copemish this morning with burial at Thompsonville.

67. Ardath Boyd PUTNEY

After several months of suffering, Ardath Lucile Boyd Putney passed away at her home at Arcadia, August 6 1931.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Boyd, born st Springdale August 29 1906. At her death being 24 years, 11 months, and 8 days old.

She was married to Leo Putney June 4, 1927. To them was born one daughter. She was of a cheerful disposition, always happy and contented with what life had in store for her. She was a loving and faithful wife and mother. During her stay here she had made many friends, all of whom will greatly miss her. She leaves besides her husband and daughter, her father and mother several aunts and uncles and a host of friends and relatives.

Funeral was at Springdale church, Rev. Thibas officiating, with burial in Springdale cemetery beside her brothers and sisters.

Oh rare, sweet soul so early passed beyond,
What rare sights are to thy raptured vision given?
What fruits supernal of thy hopes so fond,
Are thine in that far country we call heaven?
O strange deep mystery!
Sudden from our sight
Thou passes like a shadow-
All in vain
Our questionings and our grief; for us the night
For thee the day where suns unsetting shine.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank our friends of Thompsonville, Putney Corners and surrounding county for their many acts of kindness shown us during the sickness and death of our beloved daughter, wife and mother Ardath. Also for the many beautiful flowers. To the singers and ministers for their comforting words during our sad bereavement.

Leo Putney
Ellen Putney
Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Boyd.

68. MCNITT

Mrs Emma McNitt, aged 52 passed away at her home in Conklin Thursday. The body will repose at the residence until Monday morning, when it will be removed to the Conklin Congregational church to lie in sate until the hour of service at 2 o'clock. Internment will be in Rest Lawn cemetery, Grand Rapids. Surviving are the husband, William: three sons, Walter, Glenn, and James; the father Roando Merrill; two sisters, Leena and Myrnie Merrill, and one brother, Elmer Merrill. Arrangements by George W. Betts.

69. CHARLEY (18 Apr.1938)

Mrs. Frances Charley aged 80 passed away Saturday evening at her home in Grandville. Surviving are two nephews, Ferry Rosewarn of Lowell and George Rosewarn of East Grand Rapids; four nieces, Bernice DeAlley of Washington D.C., Harriet Easterly of Detroit, Grace Bennett of Thompsonville and Orpha McGrady of Rockford, Mich. The body was removed t the Hildreth Funeral Home where services will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday, Internment in Grandville cemetery.

70. William VANMANEN left about $50,000

Provision for trust funds for maintenance and council for guidance of his three young children are contained in the will of William VanManen, owner of the Globe Vise & Truck Co. who died Feb 8 leaving an estate estimated at $50,000.

The children are Wilma B. 12, Louis J. 10, and Ella Louise 8, residing at 638 Fuller ave S.E. It is requested that the home be maintained for the children until the youngest has become 21 years old.

The estate is to be divided into three funds, one quarter for the eldest and three-eights each for the younger children. In the discretion of the executors the income from the fund may be cut off when the children arrive at the age of 21 unless there is illness or misfortune, the father desiring that the children learn to depend on themselves.

The Globe Vise & Truck Co. is to be continued as long as the executors think is best and places in the organization are to be made for the children if they desire. The children are to have the principal of the trust funds when they become 30 years old.

71. Mrs. Mary Alice NUGENT (1938)

Mrs. Mary Alice Nugent, 67 wife of Wesley Nugent, died Friday afternoon at her home in Frankfort. She was born in Alpena and later lived in Cheboygan for 12 years. On Oct 21 1888 she married Wesley Nugent at Newberry and for 45 years they lived on a farm southwest of Frankfort. For the last two years they Mr. and Mrs. Nugent have lived in Frankfort. Surviving, besides the husband and a brother James Burns of Peoria, Ill are three daughters, Zella of Elberta, Mrs Clyde Demerly of Clawson and Mrs. Everett Smeltzen of Arcadia, and ten sons, Herbert and Howard of Benzonia, Leo and Guy of Bear Lake, Lloyd, Chester, David and Lewis of Elberta, Charles of Clawson and William of Frankfort. Funeral services at 2 o'clock Monday at the residence. Burial in Elberta Cemetery

72. Charles E. SMITH (died 18 Jan 1941)

Luddington - funeral for Charles E. Smith 59, Victory township farmer, will be held from Dorrell chapel at 2 p.m. Wednesday . Mr. Smith died Saturday at his hone following a two-months illness. Born April 13 1881. Mr Smith lived his whole life on Victory township. He was a member of the Grange. He is survived by his widow, the former Esther Larson of Grant township; two brothers, Orton of Victory and Milton of Grand Rapids, and two sisters Mrs. Frank Clark of Victory and Mrs. George Smith of Cheallis, Wash.

73. William WALKINGTON

William Walkington, 61 of Blanchard vicinity died in University Hospital, Ann Arbor, He was born near Greenville and lived there until about 20 years ago when he moved to his farm three miles south of Blanchard. He married Miss Jennie Ostrander in 1902. Besides his widow he leaves one daughter Miss Irene Smith of Lansing; four sons, Stanley of Saranac, Wayne, Lyle, and Russel at home, and two brothers, Fred of Blanchard and Percy of Greenville.

74. Mrs. Ellen PELTON dies at Portland

Former Mason County Pioneer Passed away on Her 107th Birthday

Pelton District- Word has been received of the death at a Portland Oregon. Hospital of Mrs. Ellen Pelton, former Pelton Corner resident, a few hours after her 107th birthday anniversary, Nov 30 1940, Mrs. Pelton had been in excellent health until a year ago and when past 102 years old continued to take walks of give to 10 blocks daily and never failed in her church attendance.

She was born in Maine, 27 years before the Civil War, during Andrew Jackson's second presidential term and 10 years before the first telegraph line was constructed in the United States.

She had been making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Etta Reed in Portland. Her husband David C. Pelton was an early Mason county lumberman and died years ago after the family had moved to Oregon where he went into the lumbering business. An early Grant township record cites that D.C. Pelton on May 26 1877, took the job if building the town lane bridge across the Sauble at the corner of Grant and Freesoil townships for $371 and was to complete the work by September, 1877. Both corners and the schoolhouse which was built on a portion of the Pelton land were named for the David Pelton family.

75. Mrs. Ellen PELTON

Mrs Ellen Pelton former Freesoil resident, after whose family Pelton Corners and Pelton school are named, died on her birth anniversary at a Portland hospital. Mrs. Pelton was active until her last year of illness and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Etta Reed in Portland. Her husband David. C. Pelton, was a lumberman in Mason county and engaged in lumbering after going to Oregon where he died years ago.

76. George HART - Chester Township Man Dies in Hospital Here

Kent City-George Hart, 53 died Sunday in St Mary's hospital, grand Rapids after a brief illness. He made his home with his sister Mrs. John Boak of Chester township near here.

Also surviving are two other sisters, Mrs. George Chamberlain if Thompsonville and Mrs. D.E. Jones of Grand rapids; two brothers, Edgar of Muskegon Heights and Victor of Pellston.

The body was taken to the Roselle funeral home but will be taken to Thompsonville Tuesday, where the funeral services will be held at 2:30 Wednesday. Burial will be in Thompsonville.

77. Killed in Action

Joseph W. DILLEY First Benzie Co. Man To Meet Death In Battle A message Wednesday announces the death in action in France of Joseph W. Dilley. He was better known as Will and previous to leaving with the first select draft contingent worked at the chemical plant at Cartar. A father, Cornelius Dilley and brother Claude live near Turtle lake. Claude expected to go with the next contingent. Will was an expert rifle shot and when Claude received the news of his brothers death, he remarked" Well, I'll bet he fog some Huns before they got him and when I get over there I'll get enough of them to make up" Although there had been other deaths in camp from disease, this is the first Benzie man to die in action. It's supposed he died in France. This is bringing the war close to home.

78. Mrs. Rachael A. TUBBS (Uncle Charles Hagadorns sister)

Funeral services (Last Rites) for Mrs. Rachael A. Tubbs, 78 who died Wednesday of injuries received in a fall, will be conducted at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the St. Paul Episcopal church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

79. Frank L. TUBBS dies after a long illness

Frank L. Tubbs, an early settler of Grand Rapids, died Saturday evening at the age of 86 years. He had lived in Grand Rapids more than 60 years. Born in Liverpool, Ohio. he came to Lamont Mich with his parents while a boy, later moving to this city, He was a member of Squires Orchestra and band which was popular in early days.

Mr. Tubbs death was preceded by that of his wife, who died last January. Surviving are a son Walter L. Tubbs of Detroit and Mrs Anna M. darling of this city, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Funeral services will be held at Metcalf's chapel Tuesday at 2 o'clock and burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery.