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Last Name:
Owens |
First: John |
Middle: Evan |
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Lot # : 98 |
Plot # : 2 |
Gender: M |
Birth Name: |
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Born: Dec.
5, 1900 |
Died: June
15, 1917 |
Burial Date:
June 17, 1917 |
Ledger Notes: Age: 16
Yrs., 6 Mos. Nativity: Oregon
Funeral: W. W. Hollingsworth |
Notes: Son of John Henry and Emma
M. Owens
Obituary: Tualatin Valley News, June 22,
1917 Two Prominent Boys Drown in the Tualatin River Friday Evan Owens and Will
Christensen Meet Death While Swimming--Cramps Believed to Have Caused the
Tragedy.
One of
the saddest occurrences that ever happened in the vicinity of Sherwood occurred
last Friday afternoon about 2:45 o'clock, when the lives of Evan Owens and Will
Christenson were suddenly snuffed out while in bathing in the Tualatin river
near Cipole. The boys, in company with James Fitch, son of Postmaster Fitch of
this city, and Harry Christenson and Louis Christenson, had gone to the swimming
hole near Cipole to cool off, after having been working hard in the onion patch
of John Hedges, where they were employed. It seems Will Christenson had a
contract with Mr. Hedges to have his work done in a certain time and had called
James Fitch over to help him complete the work and he had complied. About 1:00
o'clock the work was finished and the suggestion made that they go to the river
for a swim and all five joined in. Arriving at the time stated above, the boys
lost no time in preparing for the plunge. Young Fitch and Louis Christenson were
the first to reach the opposite shore and were surprised to hear the call for
help from their companions, and Mr. Fitch responded immediately.
Louis Christenson is but thirteen years of age and Mr.
Fitch forbade him to help, and attempted to save the lives of his friends alone
and would have done so but for the fact he was kicked in the stomach and came
near losing his life thereby. He had Evan by the arm and Will by the hair and
was getting along with his Herculean task as well as could be expected when the
kick he received caused him to release his hold and sent him down twice and but
for a limb when he came up his life would have been lost. This act of Mr. Fitch
seems to the majority of the people worthy of a Carnegie medal and this paper
heartily concurs, and will be glad to cooperate with any one who will take the
matter up with the proper officials.
The city diver of Portland, Mr. Brady, was sent for and
about eight o'clock was successful in finding the bodies about 10 feet from the
place where they went down, and it was found to be useless to use the pulmoter
in the attempt to save their lives. Because of the prominence of the boys the
hearts of the entire community goes out to the parents and relatives in profound
sympathy, and their funeral marked one the of largest ever held in Sherwood. The
Congregational church, in which the services were held, was not large enough to
accommodate the friends who came from far and near to pay their last respects to
the memory of the dead. Rev C. Butler had charge of the services and as assisted
by Rev. A. Astleford.
John Evan Owens was born in Sherwood on December 5th, 1900 and died June 15,
1917 making him 16 years six months and 11 days old at the time of his death. He
was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Owens who with one sister are left to
mourn this untimely death. Besides these are his grandparents and an uncle and
aunt, Evan was a devoted son and brother and the pride of grandparents and
uncle. He was a favorite among his school associates and enjoyed the love and
esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Though young in years he had the
ability of making friends and holding them. While he is gone from among us his
kindnesses and lovable disposition will ever remain one of the best assets that
could be left to mortals, and will be sadly missed. He was laid to rest in
Pleasant Hill cemetery.
(note: Willie B. Christenson was buried in Winona cemetery) |
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Monument Material:
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Granite monument,
granite base on concrete apron |
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Auxiliary Stones: |
None |
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Monument Problems:
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Monument was loose on
the base and off-center, but was repaired in 5/08. Corners
of base are chipped; apron is partly covered. |
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Engraving:
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Mint condition with
some lichen and moss |
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Flower
Containers: |
None |
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Other Remarks: |
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Inscriptions, East face:
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OWENS
EMMA
1873 -- 1956 |
JOHN HENRY
1867 -- 1946 |
JOHN EVAN
1900 -- 1917 |
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| Date Surveyed:
10-21-06 |
Surveyor:
C. Lehan |
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