Union, Union County, Oregon
A Sad Incident in Connection with His Unexpected Demise
On Saturday last, Josiah Davis, a well known resident of this county, living at High valley, died after a brief illness. On Thursday he was attacked by inflammation of the bowels and despite the attention and medical assistance rendered he grew worse and after a brief struggle with the disease passed away.
The funeral took place on Sunday, the remains being followed to the cemetery by a number of the relatives and friends of the bereaved family.
A sad incident in connection with the death and burial of Mr. Davis, was the arrival of his brother and nephew from Illinois who reached here just as the body was being consigned to the tomb. They arrived on the westbound train and making inquiries of Mr. Goodbrod at the Centennial hotel concerning Mr. Davis they were horrified to learn that less than half an hour previous all that was mortal of brother and uncle had passed the hotel on the way to the silent tomb. They could hardly believe it possible that the deceased could be the one they sought and it was not until the return of their mourning relatives that they could fully realize that the face and form of Josiah Davis was forever hid under the moldering clods of mother earth.
It was a sad and unexpected termination of their long journey and the anticipations of a happy reunion with those whom they had not seen for many years. Mr. Davis was a man highly esteemed by those who knew him and his sudden death was a severe shock to the community in which he lived. He was about 56 years of age and apparently secure for a much longer lease of life until stricken down by the fatal illness.
Eastern Oregon Republican
Thursday, August 16, 1888.
Contributed by: Robin Church