The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 29, 1951, page 1

LOGGER KILLED THANKSGIVING

     While attempting to winch a wood log last Thanksgiving morning, Elmer Billette, 24, Snowden logger, met instant death. Billette's head was crushed by a falling boom pole which dropped when the cable snapped. The deceased was apparently struck from behind and had no warning of the impending danger.
     Leon Billette, a cousin, witnessed the accident which occurred about 10:30 a.m. Gardner's ambulance answered the emergency call to the scene of the fatality on the Bristol road about three miles south of Laws Corner.
     Ralph Walker, W.S. chief of police, investigated the accident and Justice of the Peace Van Gladden served as coroner. Billette is survived by a wife and two small children. Funeral services were held at W.S.'s SDA church on Tuesday. The obituary appears elsewhere.

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 29, 1951, page 4

ELMER NEIL BILLETTE

     Elmer Neil Billette, son of Mack and Ina Billette, was born at Mt. Brook January 31, 1925. He began school at Mt. Brook and two years of his life were spent in Bingen and one at Laurel. In the Spring of 1937 the family moved back to Mt. Brook and he started high school, later leaving school to work with his father.
     On January 15th, 1944 he was inducted into the army where he served three years. On May 3, 1946 he was given an honorable discharge. May 15th, 1947 he was united in marriage to Donna Jean Keehauver at Arcata, California. The greater part of their married life was spent at Mt. Brook. At different times they lived at Arcata, California, Bingen, Wash.; and Craig, Colorado. During this time logging was his occupation.
     Elmer passed away Nov. 22, 1951 from injuries received in a logging accident and at the age of 26 years.
     He is survived by his wife, Donna and their two children; Sandra Jean and Debra Eileen; his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Mack Billette of Mt. Brook; two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Lamb and Mrs. Ray Walker of White Salmon; two brothers, Joseph of the U.S. Army and Robert of the Navy; and also his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. James Dawson of The Dalles, Ore.
     He was laid to rest with military honors in the Oddfellows cemetery at White Salmon with VFW and Legion posts officiating. Funeral services were conducted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, White Salmon, with Rev. Ring officiating, November 27 at 2 p.m.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., November 29, 1951, page 1

ELMER BILLETTE KILLED IN TURKEY DAY ACCIDENT

     Elmer N. Billette, 26, well-known logger of the White Salmon area was killed instantly Thanksgiving morning when a guy wire separated while he was loading his truck sending the guy pole crashing into him, hitting him in the head. He was killed instantly.
     Elmer was working at the time with his cousin Leon loading logs near Bristol. He is survived by his wife and two daughters; his parents Mr. and Mrs. Mack Billette; two brothers and two sisters. Complete obituary on page 9.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer