R. P. Moody found dead in his chair—had lived in this part of the state for forty years and 15 years on McKay creek ranch where death occurred—wife was stricken with paralysis five weeks ago.
R. P. Moody, one of the eastern Oregon’s pioneers, and one of the best known ranchers in the McKay Creek District, was found dead in his chair in his home 23 miles from this city late last evening [October 16, 1908].
The death was a sudden shock to the community in which he lived. Mr. Moody was supposed to be in the best of health when last seen and death which was due to sudden heart failure had come upon him while resting peacefully in his favorite chair.
At the time of his death, Mr. Moody was alone in the house. The sudden ending of a useful life is made doubly sad by the fact that at the same time his wife was lying in the hospital in this city suffering from a stroke of paralysis which had deprived her of the power of speech. One son, Albert M. Moody, who made his home with his father, was assisting him in caring for the place. A daughter, Mrs. Lulu M. Rhodes, lives in the near neighborhood.
Mr. Moody was 68 years of age. He was a native of Massachusetts who braved the dangers of the west in an early day and crossed the plans to Oregon. About 40 years ago he settled near Vinson on Butter Creek where he made his home until about 1893 when he secured the ranch upon which he lived at the time of his death and has since been prominently identified with the development of the McKay Creek neighborhood.
The funeral services will be held Sunday morning at the Baker & Folsom undertaking parlors. The hour has not yet been set. [Interment at Olney Cemetery]
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman