An Old Pioneer Passes Over - "Bofe" Saunders Goes to Reward - Old-Time Bus Man in Chehalis
William Saunders died in a local hospital early Wednesday morning from the effects of a dose of poison taken with suicidal intent Tuesday. Deceased was 66 years of age and was born here. He was a son of Mrs. Eliza Barrett, owner of the original townsite of Chehalis. Three brothers survive "Bofe" Saunders, as he was familiarly known locally, James, Jospeh and Alfred, all being residents of Lewis county. A sister, Mrs. Kitty Geary, lives in Tacoma. The funeral services will be held at Fissel's chapel Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. T. J. O'Connor officiating. Interment will be in Fern Hill cemetery.
During the early nineties and for some years later, until the advent of more modern methods of transportation, "Bofe" Saunders was the mainstay of the young people in their social times. He drove a fine team of black horses to a most comfortable bus and any time there was a dance or a picnic, or a big party, "Bofe" with his blacks was called into service to furnish the transportation. No matter how late the hour, or how perilous the road, "Bofe" was always ready to go. Like the more modern tin Lizzie, he took his load to its destination and always brought it back safely. The old-timers of the bunch that was on earth for the first time in this vicinity about twenty-five years ago will regret to learn of the untimely end to which their old friend came, for all of them liked "Bofe" for his reliability, his goodnaturedness and his willingness to make things for them as comfortable as it was possible in those days of mud roads and other drawbacks incident to those times.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, Friday, 9 Feb 1923, page 10.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.