Found the Body of Rynearson
C.M. Riddle and A.P. Evans were working along the bank of the Grande Ronde River, on Wednesday forenoon repairing an irrigating ditch and discovering a piece of cloth in the water, this attracted their attention for they knew their old neighbor A.W. Rynearson’s body was some where in the river. Upon a close inspection they ascertained the exposed fragment was a part of the clothing of Mr. Rynearson. The two men removed enough gravel and sand to be sure the body was there and then Mr. Riddle went to inform the family of the discovery and Mr. Evans came to La Grande to report to the authorities and give publicity to the fact, Evans and Charles Kinsey uncovered the body from the gravel bed in which it had laid enar the water since the fatal morn of May 23. The head, arms and lower limbs were covered by nearly one foot of gravel but the arched position of the body brought the back much nearer the surface. A coroners jury sat upon the body to remove all doubts as to the identity, for the rushing waters, abrading rock and decay had greatly marred the body and but for the clothing and articles found in the pockets no man could have called the disfigured remains those of A.W. Rynearson. The body was found about a mile below the foot bridge that gave away May morning and about four hundred yards below the residence of Henry Young.
The funeral took place at the family residence about one mile from La Grande. The Rev. R.M. Hayes pastor of the Presbyterian church delivered the funeral sermon and the body was laid quietly to rest in the Masonic cemetery in this city at two o’clock Thursday afternoon.
A host of friends though saddened by his death were glad he was rescued from the cold and cruel water and placed on the sunny hillside where grass grows and flowers bloom.. – Observer.
Cove Ledger Thursday July 13, 1899
