Ritchie, William E. 1882-1959

RITCHIE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/8/2010 at 18:23:22

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Monday, March 9, 1959

MONTE MAN IS VICTIM OF BLIZZARD

Bill Ritchie, 77, Dies Saturday After Car Stalls In Country

Last week's big blizzard was indirectly responsible for at least one death in Poweshiek county. Sheriff Bill Welsh Saturday found the body of Bill Ritchie, 77, of near Montezuma, in the snow on a gravel road southeast of that community.

Ritchie had left his farm home about 3:30 that afternoon to make a trip to Montezuma. When some time passed and he failed to return, his wife notified the sheriff and he started a search for him.

At about 5:30 p.m., Ritchie's body was found on the road some distance from his car. He was dead when discovered.

Sheriff Welsh said Ritchie's car had bogged down in the snow and he apprently tried to dig it out. When these efforts proved unsuccessful he started out on foot and apparently suffered a fatal heart attack.