Bessie Beatrice Burkhart was the youngest daughter of Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann (Davidson) Burkhart of Albany, Linn County, Oregon. She was b. May 17, 1874 in Albany, attending school as her parents felt both their sons and daughters should have good educations. Sadly, her father passed when she was just 18 months of age, but her brothers and sisters helped their mother care for her, as did her aunts and uncles. The extended family was very close. In 1900, Bessie lived with her brothers, Robert Lee (Rob) and William Chester (Will) at a separate residence in the Price and Syracuse areas of Linn County. Perhaps this was while Will & Rob were attending college in Corvallis, as Will would become part owner of the pharmacy in Albany within the next few years when he became a pharmacist and Rob would go on to own prize winning cattle imported from England. Bessie graduated from Willamette University in Salem. Things changed, however, when she met Professor Ernest E.Daring, a "prominent teacher" who had "held several important postitions in this state {Oregon}".(From the Albany-Democrat Herald, Dec 27, 1905) They courted and when he proposed, Bessie accepted. Their marriage took place in Albany on Dec 27th, 1905 & they originally went to live in Gresham but instead ended up in a place on Bessie's claim on the Siletz River, 14 miles above the Indian Agency, in Lincoln County, far from "civilization".
Tragedy struck early the following December when Bessie developed appendicitis. Ernest hurried off to find a doctor and Dr.Burgess, of Toledo, cared for her "at the first attack". Another doctor, Dr. Wallace, joined him and both were present "at the second attack". "It was thought that she was out of danger." But then there was a "third and fatal attack". During this time "her husband was a faithful nurse and for several days she had added care by the attention of her brothers." It also states that "Dr. Stark was present a day before her death, and nothing could be done that was not done, but the disease had taken deep hold of her system and was beyond control." "..away from the advantages of care and treatment nothing could be done to save her."
Note: One other item of note in the two articles is that it is stated that Dr. A. Stark returned from there (Bessie & Ernest's home) "...after a very rough trip, a walk by trail through the mud for fourteen miles and ten miles on horseback, reaching Toledo at 2 o'clock this morning." >>>This is just to give you an idea of how far away from "civilization" they really were.<<<
Bessie died on Dec 11, 1906, just 16 days before their 1st wedding anniversary. Her funeral was held at the Baptist church (there was only one in Albany, apparently, at this time). Reverand S. A. Douglas preached the sermon, an impressive effort and "splendid tribute to the worth of the deceased, one who had lived a pure and unselfish life, beloved by all knowing her." "She was the daughter of prominent pioneer people, both deceased, {Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann}, the sister of H.D. {Hezekiah Davidson}, Robert L., W.C.{William Chester} Burkhart and Mrs. Nellie Baker of this city."... written in the Albany Democrat-Herald, Dec 12, 1906.
Ernest was devastated and after they buried Bessie with her other family members at Riverside Cemetery, he left their home at Siletz and moved to Portland. He remarried sometime before 1920 but was divorced by 1930. He died in Portland on Feb 24, 1933 and was buried with Bessie at Riverside Cemetery in Albany. They share a monument together.
Tragedy struck early the following December when Bessie developed appendicitis. Ernest hurried off to find a doctor and Dr.Burgess, of Toledo, cared for her "at the first attack". Another doctor, Dr. Wallace, joined him and both were present "at the second attack". "It was thought that she was out of danger." But then there was a "third and fatal attack". During this time "her husband was a faithful nurse and for several days she had added care by the attention of her brothers." It also states that "Dr. Stark was present a day before her death, and nothing could be done that was not done, but the disease had taken deep hold of her system and was beyond control." "..away from the advantages of care and treatment nothing could be done to save her."
Note: One other item of note in the two articles is that it is stated that Dr. A. Stark returned from there (Bessie & Ernest's home) "...after a very rough trip, a walk by trail through the mud for fourteen miles and ten miles on horseback, reaching Toledo at 2 o'clock this morning." >>>This is just to give you an idea of how far away from "civilization" they really were.<<<
Bessie died on Dec 11, 1906, just 16 days before their 1st wedding anniversary. Her funeral was held at the Baptist church (there was only one in Albany, apparently, at this time). Reverand S. A. Douglas preached the sermon, an impressive effort and "splendid tribute to the worth of the deceased, one who had lived a pure and unselfish life, beloved by all knowing her." "She was the daughter of prominent pioneer people, both deceased, {Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann}, the sister of H.D. {Hezekiah Davidson}, Robert L., W.C.{William Chester} Burkhart and Mrs. Nellie Baker of this city."... written in the Albany Democrat-Herald, Dec 12, 1906.
Ernest was devastated and after they buried Bessie with her other family members at Riverside Cemetery, he left their home at Siletz and moved to Portland. He remarried sometime before 1920 but was divorced by 1930. He died in Portland on Feb 24, 1933 and was buried with Bessie at Riverside Cemetery in Albany. They share a monument together.
Bessie Beatrice Burkhart was the youngest daughter of Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann (Davidson) Burkhart of Albany, Linn County, Oregon. She was b. May 17, 1874 in Albany, attending school as her parents felt both their sons and daughters should have good educations. Sadly, her father passed when she was just 18 months of age, but her brothers and sisters helped their mother care for her, as did her aunts and uncles. The extended family was very close. In 1900, Bessie lived with her brothers, Robert Lee (Rob) and William Chester (Will) at a separate residence in the Price and Syracuse areas of Linn County. Perhaps this was while Will & Rob were attending college in Corvallis, as Will would become part owner of the pharmacy in Albany within the next few years when he became a pharmacist and Rob would go on to own prize winning cattle imported from England. Bessie graduated from Willamette University in Salem. Things changed, however, when she met Professor Ernest E.Daring, a "prominent teacher" who had "held several important postitions in this state {Oregon}".(From the Albany-Democrat Herald, Dec 27, 1905) They courted and when he proposed, Bessie accepted. Their marriage took place in Albany on Dec 27th, 1905 & they originally went to live in Gresham but instead ended up in a place on Bessie's claim on the Siletz River, 14 miles above the Indian Agency, in Lincoln County, far from "civilization".
Tragedy struck early the following December when Bessie developed appendicitis. Ernest hurried off to find a doctor and Dr.Burgess, of Toledo, cared for her "at the first attack". Another doctor, Dr. Wallace, joined him and both were present "at the second attack". "It was thought that she was out of danger." But then there was a "third and fatal attack". During this time "her husband was a faithful nurse and for several days she had added care by the attention of her brothers." It also states that "Dr. Stark was present a day before her death, and nothing could be done that was not done, but the disease had taken deep hold of her system and was beyond control." "..away from the advantages of care and treatment nothing could be done to save her."
Note: One other item of note in the two articles is that it is stated that Dr. A. Stark returned from there (Bessie & Ernest's home) "...after a very rough trip, a walk by trail through the mud for fourteen miles and ten miles on horseback, reaching Toledo at 2 o'clock this morning." >>>This is just to give you an idea of how far away from "civilization" they really were.<<<
Bessie died on Dec 11, 1906, just 16 days before their 1st wedding anniversary. Her funeral was held at the Baptist church (there was only one in Albany, apparently, at this time). Reverand S. A. Douglas preached the sermon, an impressive effort and "splendid tribute to the worth of the deceased, one who had lived a pure and unselfish life, beloved by all knowing her." "She was the daughter of prominent pioneer people, both deceased, {Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann}, the sister of H.D. {Hezekiah Davidson}, Robert L., W.C.{William Chester} Burkhart and Mrs. Nellie Baker of this city."... written in the Albany Democrat-Herald, Dec 12, 1906.
Ernest was devastated and after they buried Bessie with her other family members at Riverside Cemetery, he left their home at Siletz and moved to Portland. He remarried sometime before 1920 but was divorced by 1930. He died in Portland on Feb 24, 1933 and was buried with Bessie at Riverside Cemetery in Albany. They share a monument together.
Tragedy struck early the following December when Bessie developed appendicitis. Ernest hurried off to find a doctor and Dr.Burgess, of Toledo, cared for her "at the first attack". Another doctor, Dr. Wallace, joined him and both were present "at the second attack". "It was thought that she was out of danger." But then there was a "third and fatal attack". During this time "her husband was a faithful nurse and for several days she had added care by the attention of her brothers." It also states that "Dr. Stark was present a day before her death, and nothing could be done that was not done, but the disease had taken deep hold of her system and was beyond control." "..away from the advantages of care and treatment nothing could be done to save her."
Note: One other item of note in the two articles is that it is stated that Dr. A. Stark returned from there (Bessie & Ernest's home) "...after a very rough trip, a walk by trail through the mud for fourteen miles and ten miles on horseback, reaching Toledo at 2 o'clock this morning." >>>This is just to give you an idea of how far away from "civilization" they really were.<<<
Bessie died on Dec 11, 1906, just 16 days before their 1st wedding anniversary. Her funeral was held at the Baptist church (there was only one in Albany, apparently, at this time). Reverand S. A. Douglas preached the sermon, an impressive effort and "splendid tribute to the worth of the deceased, one who had lived a pure and unselfish life, beloved by all knowing her." "She was the daughter of prominent pioneer people, both deceased, {Leander Columbus and Melissa Ann}, the sister of H.D. {Hezekiah Davidson}, Robert L., W.C.{William Chester} Burkhart and Mrs. Nellie Baker of this city."... written in the Albany Democrat-Herald, Dec 12, 1906.
Ernest was devastated and after they buried Bessie with her other family members at Riverside Cemetery, he left their home at Siletz and moved to Portland. He remarried sometime before 1920 but was divorced by 1930. He died in Portland on Feb 24, 1933 and was buried with Bessie at Riverside Cemetery in Albany. They share a monument together.
