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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 29, 1911, page 3
"Local and Personals"

     Mrs. R.D. Gray, of Spring Creek, who was brought to the hospital in this city the last of last week suffering from the bite of a rattlesnake, is feeling much improved, although she will lose one finger and possibly her hand. She was bitten while picking up wood, and thought at first it was only a sliver, letting the wound go for 16 hours before coming for medical attention by which time her finger was in a terrible shape and she was suffering intense pain.


The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 1, 1911, page 2
"Klickitat Intelligence"

     Mrs. Robert Gray, wife of a farmer residing on Crofton Prairie, has been nearly killed by a bite of some venomous reptile. She was caring for a sick neighbor and went out into the woodshed for an armful of wood in the dark early Tuesday morning of last week. While gathering up the wood she felt a prickling sensation on the end of the middle finger of her left hand. About the middle of the forenoon her arm began to swell, the finger turning black and she became sick. When she arrived at the Dr. Collin's hospital in Goldendale her temperature was 105 and she was suffering excruciating pain. Physicians attended her say she will recover. It is the thought Mrs. Gray was bitten by a rattlesnake, but she heard no rattle. Mr. Gray states that the finger, which is the middle one of her left hand, is now black, and thinks it will eventually have to be amputated.


The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 1, 1911, page 16
"News from the Pine Flat Section"

     While Mrs. Robert Gray, who reside near Goldendale, with gathering wood near her house Tuesday of last week, a snake bit her on one of her fingers. Mrs. Gray did not regard the bite as serious until it became distressingly painful and swollen. She was hurried to a hospital in this city, where Dr. F.H. Collins found the injured hand in a critical condition. He states that there would be no serious results from the wound.


The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 6, 1911, page 1

EDITH FLETCHER GRAY

     The death of Mrs. R.D. Gray occurred at the local hospital on Sunday night, July 2nd, the slender hope of recovery from the bite of the rattlesnake, being shattered a few hours before she passed into the Great Beyond. Paralysis commenced to set in and death relieved her of much suffering. Following is an obituary handed The Sentinel by friends of the family:
     Miss Edith Fletcher was born in Cook county, Illinois, September 18, 1866. She was married to R.D. Gray in the state of Iowa in 1886. They moved to South Dakota and from there to California, and then to the state of Washington in 1901 and located in the Spring Creek vicinity where they have since resided. To this union were born four children, two boys and two girls. Will, Jennie and Richard Gray and Mrs. Agnes Smith, all residents of Klickitat county. She was a member of the German Lutheran Church.
     Mrs. Gray died of blood poison supposed to be given by a poison serpent while gathering up some kindling wood on the morning of June 20 between two and three o'clock at the home of Ernest Seitzinger where she was waiting on the sick. She was taken to Goldendale where she could have the best medical treatment, Dr. Jones of Portland, Ore., also being called to attend her, but of no avail. The poison had gone through her system and she passed away Sunday evening, July 2nd, just before 11 o'clock at a hospital in Goldendale. We feel that in the death of Sister Gray the husband has lost a true and faithful wife, the children a kind and loving mother and the community has lost a friend indeed. In sickness and trouble Sister Gray was ever ready to give her help. The bereaved family have the sympathy and best wishes of the community at large.
     The bereaved family wish to thank the friends and neighbors for the kindness in this sad affliction. The funeral services were conducted by Brother G.H. Darland and Elder J.E. Adams at the Spring Creek school house July 4th at 3 p.m., in the presence of quite a large congregation, after which she was laid to rest in the Spring Creek cemetery.


The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, Wa., July 8, 1911, page 2
"Klickitat Intelligence"

     Mrs. Robert A. Gray, the woman who was bitten by a rattlesnake on Crofton Prairie about two weeks ago, died at the Goldendale hospital July 2nd. Everything known to medical science was done in an effort to save her life, a prominent physician being called from Portland in consultation with local physicians last week. The woman's husband was formerly a pumpman in the employ of the O.R. & N. Co., in Eastern Oregon. The funeral services were held from their home at Crofton Prairie July 4th.

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