[Last name is Weldin on his headstone]

J. N. Welden Drowned

The Well-known Dairyman and Farmer Meets Death in a Clearwater Slough.

Lonely Night of Terror

The Searchers After a Long Day of Work Find the Lifeless Body in a Shallow Pool of Watee [as written]

The news reached the city Sunday morning that J. N. Welden had been drowned the evening before in the slough one half mile below Silcott's ferry on the north side of Clearwater.

Mr. Weldin was the well known dairy men and farmer of the north side of Clearwater. He owned and resided upon the Hillside Martin ranch. On Saturday evening in company with his eight-year old son he started late on horseback to drive up his dairy herd. The cattle ranged along the river and recently they had been crossing to the island near the state line. On this occasion the cows were on the island. The little son was left on the main land while the father forded the slough. The cattle were driven across where the water was deep. Mr. Weldin told the boy to drive them home while he went down the stream to the ford. This was the last seen of him alive.

The boy however, saw the horse his father had been riding swiming in the water without the rider; and he saw the horse and empty saddle on the island as he ascended the hill toward home during the evening. The eight-year old boy however, was only able to follow the cattle almost at the will of his saddle horse. He did not realize the significance of what he saw nor would he have been able to render assistance in an emergency.

When the boy reached home he related the events. Mrs. Welden mounted the horse and road toward the river, meeting the horse with the empty saddle. The animal was wet. The lady's fears were fully aroused it was then dark. She could find no one to aid her in her desperation. She spent several hours in the lonely search for her husband. She tried to arouse help but only at a late hour did she get help. She spent a lonely night along the river and between the river and her lonely home where her babies waited in sorrow the fate of their father.

It was not until morning that a thorough search was made. The slough, though only small and shallow, did not reveal its secret until almost the last effort had been exhausted.

After the wife had become discouraged and exhausted and started home C. M. Frye, one of a hundred searchers, caught the lifeless body upon a grab hook. It was in about five feet of water just below a shallow ford.

There was no evidence that the drowned man had struggled to save himself. His hat was on his head and his spectacles were in place. He looked as though he had fallen asleep and sank to the bottom. There are those who think he fell from his horse in a faint and never revived to realize his position.

There was a shallow ford just above where he was found. Mr. Stranahan waded across the ford which was only knee deep. Mr. Weldin knew this ford, having crossed it before. There was however, a deep hole, into which his horse had evidently gone and perhaps the horse had stumbled into this hole.

Mr. Welden leaves a wife and four children He was a member of the Masonic lodge of Rosalia, Washington.

Mr. Welden was well known as an honorable, intelligent neighbor, citizen and business man. He lived for many years at Rosalia, where he conducted a large dairy and wheat farm. He leaves host of friends who respect and honor his memory.