Published as it appeared on Jan. 27, 1904, in the Corvallis Times, Page 2, Column 4.
Buried in Benton
The Home of his Boyhood — W.H. Hartless — The Funeral Monday
In burial robes and a casket W.H. Hartless came back to his old home in Benton, Monday, and a new mound in Newton cemetery marks the spot where he sleeps the last long sleep. The body was accompanied to Corvallis by the daughter, Miss Georgia Hartless, by R.M. Davisson, his former business partner, and brother-in-law, and by Mrs. W.S. Gilbert of Portland. A delegation of old friends met the party at the Westside station, and accompanied the remains to the family home, where the funeral occurred at one o’clock. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Carrick of the Presbyterian church, and the interment was in Newton cemetery.
Later particulars throw no new light on the accident. In company with his friend, C.W. Lockwood, Mr. Hartless was passing along First Avenue, Seattle. He left Lockwood, saying he had business over the way, and started diagonally across the street. Two street cars, going in opposite directions were approaching, and in stepping out of the way of one, he passed almost directly in front of the other. The latter was a Park car, descending a grade at a rate of speed estimated at 20 miles an hour or more per hour. Mr. Hartless was struck in such a manner that he was knocked down, and the wheels of the car passed over both legs, below the knee. One limb was nearly cut in twain and frightfully mangled, while the other was twice broken. The most serious injury, however, and undoubtedly the one that caused death, was in the breast. There, a terrible blow, completely caved in the wall in the vicinity of the heart.
The statement of Ira Davisson who went from Tacoma to the scene is to the effect that the victim remained entirely unconscious after reaching the hospital, where he died in the early hours of the morning. The coroner was absent when the accident happened, and wired to hold the body for an investigation, but on his return to the city determined to take no proceedings.
W.H. Hartless was born on the Hartless farm, one mile south of Philomath, November 28, 1854, and was at the time of his death, aged 49 years, one month and 25 days. His father was one of the early merchants of Corvallis, known then as Marysville. The deceased grew to manhood on the old homestead, and completed his education at Philomath College. In 1878 he engaged in the butcher business in Albany, and shortly afterward was married to Miss Ceatta Davisson. In 1882 he retired from business in Albany and returned to Benton where he engaged in business in various lines.
He was a charter member of the Artisan’s lodge in this city, and was its master. He was also a member of the order of Lions in Seattle, holding insurance benefits in both organizations.
The deceased is survived by the widow, the daughter, Miss Georgia Hartless, a brother Eldridge Hartless of Philomath, and three sisters, Mrs. Ogleby, of Five Rivers, Mrs. Zimmerman of Portland and Mrs. Cleveland of Little Rock, Washington.