I'm a primary WELLS researcher. This obituary is for Dorothy Brimhall, daughter of Walter E. Brimhall and Nettie Elmira Wells. These death notices were UPI wires. I have the 1977 obituary for William Skeans and am waiting for the one for Dorothy. She was born in Minnesota. Her mother's father, Miles Wells, a released Union soldier POW, drowned in 1865 during the Sultana ship disaster of April 27th.
The Bend Bulletin, Central Oregon, Jan 26, 1959 (Deschutes County, Oregon)
Washington Flood Threat Eases Today
By United Press International (UPI)
A flood threat in the state of Washington eased today following a period of clearing after high waters
claimed at least one life and left another person missing.
Mrs. Dorothy Skeans, 59, Everett, died in the floodwaters of the Snohomish river Sunday when she
and her husband were trying to reach shore from their marooned car. The auto stalled in the water
Saturday night and the couple spent the night in the car before trying to wade to safety. her husband,
William, 55, was in an Everett hospital.
Spokane Daily Chronicle, Jan 26, 1959
By the Associated Press
Swollen rivers and streams subsided yesterday and the flood and slide threat ebbed
in Washington state but the week end's turbulent weather resulted in the death of at
least two persons.
With only occasional rain forecast for today, flooded highways and secondary roads
were expected to be clear by late today.
Mrs. Dorothy Skeans, 59, Everett, drowned yesterday but her husband clung to brush
and was saved after their auto had stalled on a flooded country road near Snohomish.
The dead woman's husband, William A. Skeans, 55, said he and his wife were driving
hoome from Snohomish when he stopped the car on the flooded orad to let another auto
pass. The passing vehicle splashed water on the Skean (sic) car and short-circuited the engine.
Caught in Overflow
Skean (sic) said he and his wife then waded through the water to reach dry ground but instead
were caught in the swirling overflow waters of the Snohomish river.