Word was received in Protection on Friday morning of last week that Owen Bratcher was ill with pneumonia in a hospital in Wichita and this news was followed on Monday morning of this week that Mr. Bratcher had died from the disease at 3:30 that morning. Mr. and Mrs. Bratcher left Protection the middle of last week to go to Wichita where Mrs. Bratcher was receiving medical treatment, and while there Owen went on over into the Flint hills, he having cattle on grass in the hills east of Augusta.

While on his trip to see his stock he was caught in a heavy rain and had to return to Wichita in wet clothing. He immediately was stricken with pneumonia, which caused his death within a few days.

On Tuesday evening the remains accompanied by his stricken wife and sorrowing father and mother, who had gone to his bedside upon learning of his illness, were brought to Protection and taken to the home of his parents.

Funeral services were held at 4:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist church conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. F. Ragsdale. Interment was made in the Protection cemetery.

Owen Bratcher was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Z. J. Bratcher of Protection, and was born in this community in 1891. At the time of his death he was 28 years, 8 months and 27 days of age. He had spent his entire life in this community, and five years ago was married to Mrs. Blanche Dellinger, who survives him. He is also survived by his father and mother, by one brother, Lawrence Bratcher of Kansas City and one sister, Mrs. A. M. Thornhill of this city, besides numerous other relatives and friends.

Having spent his life here, he had a large number of fast friends and in his death they have lost a true and most respected friend, and the community a substantial citizen.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!