Borts, Eveard or Everett – 1897-1927

BORTS, DUERNER, GIBSON, RITTER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

Everett E. Borts was born October 2, 1897 and died February 23, 1927 at Valley Junction. He was a Rock Island call clerk, 29 years old, and died suddenly Wednesday morning while on his way to his rooms in the Security bank building and his body was found about eight o’clock on the steps leading upstairs by Mrs. Alene Fairgraves as she made her way up the steps to the office of Dr. Kiley where she was office assistant.
Mr. Borts was taken suddenly ill while at work as call boy on the shift that works from 12 at night to 8 in the morning, and was relieved from duty to go to his rooms about four o’clock. About six o’clock he left his room to secure relief in the open air and await the opening of the drug store and was last seen alive between the hours of 6:30 and 7 o’clock. About eight o’clock the body was found crouched on the bottom steps of the stairs leading to his rooms and it is thought that he was stricken as he attempted to climb the steps. Mrs. Fairgraves, employee of the Des Moines Electric Company, who was near the scene, who in turn notified the coroner and Dr. J. E. Kiley who pronounced death to be caused by natural causes.
At first, foul play was suspected as the cause, because of cuts and bruises brought about by the contact of his head on the steps. However, upon examination it was found that those injuries could not have brought about his death.
Upon the arrival of a representative of the County Coroner, the pronouncement of Dr. Kiley was accepted as the cause of his death.
Mr. Borts had been a resident of Valley Junction for the past ten years and during that time had served the Rock Island railroad as fireman, brakeman and clerk. He continued to hold his rights as fireman since, because of his ill health he was forced to take leave and accept less strenuous employment. In spite of his poor health he was always cheerful and friendly to all who knew him and many railroaders will miss his cheery calls that would send them out on the road.
He was a world war veteran, having served overseas, was a member of the Brotherhood of Loyal Firemen and Engineers, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and was a member of the local Masonic lodge.
Funeral services were held Friday morning at the Methodist church with the Masonic lodge in charge of the ceremonies. Services were also held at Valeria, Iowa, and interment was made in the Sams graveyard.
His father died three weeks ago at his daughter’s home at 2020 Pleasant Street, Des Moines. He is survived by his mother and several brothers and sisters.
Source: Colfax (IA) Tribune; Thursday, March 3, 1927, page 3, col. 3

Clear Creek News – Everett Borts, aged 29 years, was found dead on the door steps of his boarding house at Valley Junction on Wednesday morning, February 22nd. He had been in poor health some time and went out to get in the sun. The doctor said his heart gave out and he fell off the steps. Funeral services were held Friday at 11 a.m. at Valley Junction. The Mason lodge and railroad men attended in bodies. Short services were also held at the Methodist church in Valeria and interment was made at Sams cemetery. Everett was a world war veteran enlisting early in the war. Since 1918 he has been at Valley Junction. He was a fireman on the railroad.
He was born on a farm in this township and later lived near Valeria on the farm. His mother, Mrs. Mary Ritter Borts of Valeria, four sisters, Kitty, Ella, Zelpha and Deleia and three brothers, George of Chicago, Alan and Lester, a half-brother, Fred Borts, of Mingo, two half-sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Duerner of Des Moines, and Mrs. Florence Gibson of Great Falls, Montana survive. His father, Wm. Borts, died February 2, 1927, and his sister, Susie, in March 1925 and two small brothers also preceded him.
Source: Colfax (IA) Tribune; Thursday, March 3, 1927, page 3, col. 5