COBB, Thomas Alexander

Eagle Valley News; Richland, OR; 5 July 1917 T. A. COBB DROWNED The first drowning in Eagle Creek since this valley was settled occurred last Friday afternoon when Mr. T. A. Cobb of New Bridge met his death. It appears that he was trying to ford the stream near his home to look after some stock on the other side, when the horse he was riding either stepped into a deep hole or stumbled, throwing Mr. Cobb off and into the ice-cold waters of the raging torrent. it is thought he was stricken with heart failure as he was subject to such attacks, else he might have reached shore. Mrs. Cobb, little Walter Rinard and 15 -year-old Clyde Garret, who were on the bank of the stream and witnessed the accident, followed the body down stream for several hundred yards, and say that he made no struggle whatsoever after he fell. Word was sent down the valley and a crowd was soon looking for the body, which was found about one hour later, lodged against some drift wood almost two miles below where the accident happened. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Richland on Sunday afternoon, J. M. Johnson of Sparta preaching a most impressive and appropriate sermon; Revs. Thomas and Bean assisted in the services. The funeral procession was the longest seen here for years, which was an evidence of the respect and esteem held for the deceased. Thomas Alexander Cobb was born on April 6, 1853, at Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and met deat at about 5 o'clock p.m. on Friday, June 29, 1917. In 1878 he was married to Elizabeth Phoebe Harvey at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Twenty-eight years agol Mr. and Mrs. Cobb and family moved to the United States and settled at Osborne, Kas, where they remained until six years ago when they came to Eagle Valley and located near New Bridge, where they have since resided. Mr. Cobb was well known to all throughout this section and was highly respected. Always a devoted husband, a kind and loving father, and an accomandating neighbor, his untimely death was a severe low to wife and children and a shock to the entire community. Besides the grief stricken wife there are left to mourn his departure the following children: Jennie Bell Jones and Ethel May Brown of Eagle Valley; Bessie Smith and Jessie Boomer of Osborne, Kansas, and Warren Daneil Cobb, who is serving in the United States army and whose definite address is not known at this time. Eight grandchildren also survive. The bereaved ones have the heartfelt sympathy of all in their hour of sorrow.