Another pioneer has been laid away beneath the sod, W. S. Rogers died Thursday, February 9th at 4 o’clock a.m. after a lingering illness covering a period of 15 years. The funeral took place from the Baptist Church, Sunday at 11 a.m., the funeral eulogy being delivered by Reverend M. H. Yager, Pastor.
Mr. Rogers was born in Alabama, September 7th, 1840. From his native state he moved to Texas and lived there several years prior to moving to this valley in 1886. He settled on a claim on the Nanum which he sold 10 years ago and moved to Cle Elum where his sons, W.W., Eugene and Vernon were employed by the N.W.I. Company.
Two years ago he moved back to this city. He was well known throughout the valley as an honest, conscientious, Christian gentleman and to know him was to respect him.
He was a man of more than ordinary ability as a writer and his articles were always readable, showing much thought. He was not a surface skimmer but a man of depth.
He left three sons, W.W., Eugene and Vernon and three daughters, Mrs. Robert Hepburn, Mrs. John Yearwood (sic) and Mrs. Omar Davidson to mourn his death. He was conscious to the end, recognized everyone present and before the end gave his wife words of consolation and likewise to each of his children. He said he was ready to die and was going to Heaven, dying in the full hope of a glorious resurrection and a victorious triumph over death and the grave.
For many years Mr. Rogers was a regular contributor to the columns of The Dawn under the nom de plume of “Old Greenhorn”, and while a few knew who it was, many read his articles that to this day do not know that it was Mr. Rogers’ product and many read and certainly enjoyed his pungent words. He criticized when he thought it necessary and did it fearlessly and praised those whom he thought deserved it. Peace to his ashes.
The Ellensburg Dawn – February 15, 1912
Contributed by: Mari Nielsen