8 months ago

CALLED HOME TO REST.
Passing of Mrs. Harriet Newell Douglas, an Aged Pioneer.
Slowly and yet rapidly, now, those who pared the way for the
advancement of civilization in what was the wild and unknown
west, are passing away. Many were the rugged and picturesque
characters, both men and women, who braved the perils and priva-
tions of an unknown and hostile country in the early days, doing
much for its advancement; but the ranks are rapidly thinning.

The last to drop from the ranks of the few pioneers still remaining
in this section was Mrs. Harriet Newell Douglas, one of our earliest
settlers, while on a visit to Stockton, California, at the advanced
age of eighty-two years.

Harriet Newell Barton was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1819.
Those were days, even in that section, that tried men's souls, and
coming from old Revolutionary parentage she inherited a liking for
excitement and life in a new country.

At the age of eighteen, in company with a married sister her parents
having died she moved to Iowa, where, at the age of twenty
five years, she was united in marriage to James Douglas. They located
in Nebraska when the countrywas filled with blood-thirsty Indians and
after several years of privations having twice been burned
out by Indians and suffered great loss decided to come farther west

Two children were born to them in Nebraska, Mrs. Thomas Wagner
and George B. Douglas, both of whom are residents of Williams.
In 1868 Mr. Douglas and family arrived in Arizona and located in
Williamson valley, near Prescott, where they resided until 1883,wben
they moved to this section and located on what is widely known as
the Douglas homestead, some fifteen miles south of the present site of
Williams. A year later the husband and father was called to his
last rest and was interred on the ranch, at his own special request,
he being a believer that a country which is good enough to live in is
good enough to be buried in.

From that time Mrs. Douglas and her son, George, have continued to
live upon the old homestead, until some three weeks since, when she
had a desire to visit California George having a place near Stock-
ton. Accompanied by Wilbur Wood and her son she arrived safe-
ly at Stockton on December 9.

Some three months ago she sustained a severe fall and had since
been gradually failing. On December 20th she passed quietly and
peacefully to meet her Maker, her grandson, Wilbur, being alone with
her at the time Mr. Douglas having gone a short distance to Redwood
to visit a nephew, Herbert Wood, and wife.

In tha presence of these few immediate relatives her remains
were laid to rest in the cemetery at Stockton.

Thus has dropped from our midst an old and highly respected
citizen, and a fond mother, whose memory will live long in the hearts
of her many friends.

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