Dayton Pioneer Who Built Woolen Mills Dies of Cancer
W. H. H. Fouts, a prominent Dayton resident and early settler, passes away after a battle with cancer triggered by a freak accident.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
W. H. H. Fouts, one of the best-known pioneers of the state, died at St. Mary's Hospital yesterday at 1 o'clock of cancer. Mr. Fouts had lived at Dayton for over 25 years, and four weeks ago came to this city for treatment of the malignant growth. W. H. H. Fouts came across the plains nearly 40 years ago and settled in the Willamette Valley. About 25 years ago he removed to Dayton, where with Mr. Bonnett, he established the Dayton Woolen Mills. In 1884 the plant was destroyed by fire, Mr. Fouts losing his entire savings. Later he was appointed postmaster at Dayton, serving five years. For a number of years, Mr. Fouts suffered from weak eyes, and it was with difficulty that he moved about the streets. Some three months ago his defective sight caused him to fall heavily, striking his hip upon a jagged rock. The bruise developed into a cancer, death resulting.
“For a number of years Mr. Fouts suffered from weak eyes, and it was with difficulty that he moved about the streets.”
Fouts' story reflects the pre-antibiotic reality where a simple fall could set off a chain of events leading to a fatal diagnosis. While modern oncology has changed the prognosis for such conditions, his prominence as a civic leader and founder of early industry marks him as a classic figure of the pioneering generation whose local influence persists in the names and history of Columbia County.
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