The Delta independent., 1906-08-31
Meets Instant Death Under The
Weight Of a. Thousand
Pound Rock.
,OThER CHILDREN GIVE ALARM.
Accident Occurs Near Head Of the Pine
Line and Father Of the Child Was
Absent In Delta.

One of the saddest accidents that has
occurred in Delta county for MANY
months resulted in the death of little
Murill Dee Williford, four year old
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Wilt
ford, near the head of the pipe line on
the Doughspoon, last Saturday morn
ing about the hour of $50 O'Clock.
Mr.. Williford is superintendent of the
pipe line and his home is in Delta, but
his family were spending the summer
with him in the hills and occupied cot
tage near the above described location.
Saturday morning the three children,
Clyde. age eight. Gelatin, age six and
little Murill went up the slope of the
hill to gather some blackberries. Mrs.
Willlford and Mrs. Crowley were at
the cottage, but no one dreamed that
any harm could come to the children
I -aN4!A SNNAi GIL LlIIoSSHl excursion.
While the two older children were
gathering berries, Murill sat down on a
rock; it almost Immediately toppled
forward and rolled down the hill, catch
Ing the child in the neck and chest and
dislocating the neck, causing instant
death. The stone would weigh about
1000 lbs. and rolled on down the hill
after doing its awful work. The other
children saw their little sister living
PROSTATE and limp on the ground and
their screams soon attracted the atten-
| ton of Mrs. Williford and Mrs. Crow
ley, who were at the cottage. not more
than $50 yards distant. They hurried to
the spot from whence the cries came
and the mother was terrified to find the
idol of her heart dead. before her eyes.
The childish laugh that had sounded so
sweet and happy only few moments
before. was hushed by the eternal
silence of death. The mothers anguish
was, of course, heartrending. Fortu-
nately Mrs. Crowley was present to do
all that it was possible to do and to
summon assistances Johnny Evans,
George Brewer. W. r. Howell and
Frank Crowley were not far distant
and they were Immediately called. The
little body was tenderly carried to the
cottage and preparations begun to
bring it to town at once. Johnny Ev-
ans started for Delta to notify Mr..
Williford of the great calamity that
had entered his home so suddenly and
with such crushing force.
Funeral services were held at the
home of the parents in North Delta
Monday forenoon at 100 clock and were
largely attended by friends and neigh
bors who sympathize so deeply with
Mr.. and Mrs. Williford in this sad
aftliction. DR.. rockingham had charge
of the service and spoke words of COM
fort and cheer to the afflicted parents.
The little casket was fairly buried with
beautiful floral offerings, rendered in
loving memory of a very sweet little
girl. A quartet composed of Pearl
Haley, Alma Williams. James kernohan
and Charles Williams. accompanied by
Miss Crabill, rendered beautiful selec-
tions appropriate to the service. The
regular pail bearers were Harry Cra-
mer. Henry Bass, Ray Williams and
Ernest Hollcraft, while four little girls,
Eva Williams, Clara Barton, Daisie
Chapman and May Downing We're the
honorary pail bearers. The entire SER
vice was very pretty, indeed. The
body was buried in the Delta cemetery.
| In this atfliction Mr.. and Mrs Wilt
ford bave the united sympathy of the
people OF Delta and while this cannot
heal the wound it is always a consola-
ton to know that friends share our
sorrow.