A Pioneer's Final Day in Hanaford Valley

The father of Mrs. W. F. Yantis, of this city, Theophilus Hanaford, died at his home in the Hanaford valley on the 21st inst., aged 69 years. He was born in Chittenden county, Vermont. He crossed the plains in 1862, and remained for a time in Oregon. He came to Washington in 1864, locating on the farm upon which he resided up to the time of his death. He was the first settler in the valley which was named in honor of him. He was a good citizen and for the greater part of his life a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He leaves one son, Mr. Sidney Hanaford, of Bucoda, and three daughters; Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. Thompson, who reside in the valley, and Mrs. W. F. Yantis. Mr. Hanaford was in apparent good health the day he died, going out of his own accord to do a little slashing, thinking that the exercise would do him good. He must have overworked. At about 4:30 in the afternoon his grandson, Martin Wolfe, heard a light tree fall, and soon after sauntered down that way and found him lying on his face, lifeless. Dr. Mead was summoned, but life was extinct, death being probably almost painless.