The death of my great grandfather must have come as quite the surprise to my great grandmother. Roy Foltz was only 43 years old when he died after surgery at Walla Walla Hospital.
Week 43: Shock
The story, as told in the Foltz family, was that George LeeRoy Foltz was shoeing a horse when it kicked him in the stomach. The damage was intense enough to send him to the hospital. It's said when they opened him up, they found a cancerous tumor the size of a man's head. Though he made it off the operating table, he unfortunately died a few days later.

Washington State Board of Health, Roy Foltz death certificate, record no. 167, registered no. 579, 25 Nov 1923, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington.
All of this took place in Walla Walla, Washington. At the time, Roy and Myrtle were living in Weston, Oregon, but Roy ran a wagon team, so it's likely he was out on the road working.

George LeeRoy Foltz, 1912, Oregon.
There is a conflicting report of what occurred at this time. Another relative heard a team of wagons had an accident, which was the cause of his surgery. It's unclear at this time which of the tales is true. I have not yet found a timely record of the incident in writing, save for the aftermath. But suffice it to say, Roy's death was a shock to Myrtle, their children, and extended family members.
Comments
Post a Comment