Amel Marks

Well-Known Sheepherder Dies

Amil Marks was found unconscious in his bed by Gene Bass at the Bass ranch on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and Dr. W. E. Reckling was notified and went to the ranch and brought Mr. Marks to the Spencer Hospital, where he died Monday forenoon, Feb. 9, without regaining consciousness.

He had been employed as sheep herder and ranch hand at the Bass ranch for the past 14 years. He slept in a small house at the ranch and when he did not appear for breakfast, Gene Bass went to call him and found him unconscious in bed. He was fully dressed, so it appears he may have gotten up and put on his clothes and then, feeling ill, have gone back to bed, where he suffered a stroke, or it is possible that because of the severity of the weather he had slept with his clothes on and suffered the stroke in his sleep.

The deceased has been a resident of this community for fifty years, coming here from Waupun, Wis., to herd sheep for Matt Hargraves on the Emma Ranch about 1898. He has herded sheep for various sheepmen during the years he has resided here, and was a respected and trusted employee.

Funeral services will be conducted from the Peet Chapel this (Wednesday) afternoon, with Rev. Lawrence P. Juell, pastor of the Congregational Church, officiating.

The songs, "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Rock of Ages" will be sung by a high school quartet.

The casket bearers chosen are Dick Klette, Lou Bass, Lloyd Hargraves, Noal Hargraves, Olie Damrow and Fred Damrow.

Due to the extremely cold weather it has been impossible to get the grave ready, so interment will be delayed a day or two.

Note: The first name used here is "Amel" to match cemetery records and the gravestone.

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