Burial Records

MASTER DYING, DOGS

KEPT FAITHFUL VIGIL

Rufus Blair, a Well Known Camas Man, Prostrated by Illness While Hunting

Overcome by illness while out hunting, benumbed and unconscious by hours of exposure to a chilling rain, with his faithful hounds keeping vigils over him, Rufus Blair was found about 12 o’clock Saturday night by a searching party out for that purpose.

Early Saturday morning Blair and Joe Latourell left the city for a few hours at coyote hunting.  They chose a northeasterly direction towards Woodburn, separating and taking different routes after reaching that vicinity.  This was the last seen of Mr. Blair until he was found as above noted.

As nearly as can be conjectured, about 11 o’clock a.m. his dogs came up with a coyote somewhere near the Robson place.  A couple of gun shot reports were heard in that locality at the time and soon afterwards members of the Robson family saw the dogs and coyote chase past their home.

Apparently Blair had suspected the route they would follow and had perhaps hurriedly tried to cross a lot, running to head them off.  Observations taken by J. W. Wright showed that he had covered a distance of about 250 yards from where the shells had been ejected from his gun.  It was here that the searching party, led by J. E. and Robt. Blair found him 12 hours later, unconscious but with the spark  of life still left.  The Five hunting dogs remained near and one of them seemed disposed to contest the approach of the searchers until it discovered among them an acquaintance.

As quickly as possible Blair was conveyed to his home in this city.  Dr. McMakin was summoned and vigorous measures were taken in an effort to bring the patient out of the stupor.  It was unavailing however, and he passed away at 11 o’clock Sunday without having regained consciousness.  In the absence of a post mortem examination, the real nature of the sudden and severe illness becomes but a matter of conjecture.  Upon previous occasions he had symptoms of appendicitis and it ha been surmised that this was an attack that came upon him suddenly and with such pain as to render him quickly helpless and unable to summon help.  He was not a great ways from two farm houses, and a deserted shack was but a few yards distant.

Rufus Blair had been for years a familiar figure about Camas.  He was one of the real pioneers of the locality and had in his time contributed his efforts in the development of the same.  He was born in Polk county,  Missouri, Feb. 13, 1848.  He grew to young manhood there, was married and came to this vicinity in June, 1872.  He secured an 80-acre farm in Fern Prairie and for a time tilled the soil.  Later he was connected with a flour mill which proved as unprofitable venture, the miss which stood where J. W. Wright now lives, being destroyed by fire.  His home residence is a quarter block at the southwest corner of Fifth and Clara Streets.  His wife died last November.  Two children born to them died in early childhood.

Short funeral services were conducted at 10 o’clock on Tuesday, at the residence, which scarcely accommodated the large number in attendance.  The funeral sermon was given by Rev. M. Noble of the 

Baptist church, his theme being found in Psalms 90:14 … “He endeavored to lead all to a consideration of the future, and to adminster comfort to the bereaved.”  Many beautiful flowers bore testimony to the respect in which the deceased was held and sympathy for those who grieve for his departure.  Interment was in the Fern Prairie cemetery.

The near of kin who survive are his brothers, Matt and Robt. Blair of Mill Plain; R. J. Blair of Mt. Pleasant, and J. E. Blair of this city, and three sisters, Martha Brown, Anna Hamby and Gertrude Miller, living in Missouri.  Also, a niece of the late Mrs. Blair, Miss Sadie Davis, who made her home with them.

The Camas Post, Friday April 4, 1917    Page 9

 Rufus Blair of Camas, who met such a sad death, was one of Fern Prairie’s earliest settlers and was well known by the older residents of this place.  He had visited I. S. Laws Thursday night and Friday before his death.  He was laid to rest on Tuesday by the side of his wife, who died last November.

Camas Post  06 Apr 1917  Page 9

Card of Thanks.

The undersigned desire to express sincere thanks to their friends who so freely and voluntarily rendered assistance during the time of bereavement by the death of their brother, Rufus Blair, when such kindly ministrations are treasured in memory and doubly appreciated.

Matt Blair

Robert Blair

R.  J.  Blair

J. E. Blair

Camas Post  06 Apr  1917   Page 3

 Sources & Notes:

Death Certificate

Straub’s Funeral Home Funeral Records (including Swank’s Funeral Records)

Internet

The Camas Post