Mr. G.T. Fairchild received the sad news last Friday evening that his son, Lewis, had died at 6:45 that morning in a hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Fairchild left Wallowa a few days before Christmas for a visit to his old home in Tenn. He stopped a few days in Colorado and got as far on his way as Memphis. No details have been received of his death but it is supposed that he was taken ill enroute and was taken to the hospital where he died. He was a very jovial young man and had many friends through out the valley.
Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday January 9, 1919
Obituary
Lewis Fairchild was born in Sneedfield, Hancock County, Tennessee, August 6, 1890 and died at Memphis, Tennessee, January 3rd, 1919, being (28) 8 years old, 4 months and 27 days of age. He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. G. J. Fairchild of Wallowa, Oregon and came to this county about 19 years ago with his parents.
He left Wallowa, December, 21 for a visit to his old home in Tennessee. After stopping a few days at Fort Collins Colorado, he proceeded on his way. He wrote to his family from Fort Collins, that he had a bad cold. The next heard from him was a telegram from Memphis, Tennessee announcing his death.
He leaves his father, and mother, two sisters, Mrs. Cora Wolfe and Miss Margaret Fairchild of Wallowa and two brothers, John and Jake of Wallowa. Lewis was popular with all who knew him and enjoyed a large circle of friends who with the family mourn his untimely going. Many neighbors and friends sympathize with his loved ones in their sorrow. The body arrived at Wallowa on January. 10th and after a short funeral service at the grave conducted by Rev. Bogue, the remains were laid to rest in the Wallowa cemetery.
Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday January 16, 1919