Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ Ellen R. Moores ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
Ellen R. Moores
LAST NAME: Moores FIRST NAME: Ellen MIDDLE NAME: R. NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME: Lamon AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE: Mrs. GENDER: F MILITARY: 
BORN: 22 Jan 1831 DIED: 12 Sep 1896 BURIED: 20 Sep 1896
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Housewife
BIRTH PLACE:  Harper's Ferry, Virginia [now - Harpers Ferry, Jefferson Co., West Virginia]
DEATH PLACE: Saint Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri
NOTES: 
IOOF - Ellen L. Moores, died at St. Louis, Missouri, deceased was the widow of of the late I. R. Moores.
DISCREPANCY - Obituary article gives her birthplace as Danville, Illinois, her son Wylie's DC gives her birthplace as Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
OBITUARY: 
MRS. MOORES’ DEATH AT ST. LOUIS.
A Full Account of the Peculiar Circumstances Surrounding the Sad Affair. 
The following from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, of the 14th inst. gives further particulars concerning the peculiar circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Ellen Moores, who was buried in Rural cemetery, Salem, on Sunday last: Mrs. Ellen Moores, an elderly widow, of Salem, Or., died at 2617 Pine Street, Saturday night, without medical attendance, amid an environment peculiar to the Christian Science treatment. 
The deceased was a member of a prominent Salem, (Or.) family. She came here last Tuesday with six other ladies and a married couple of her town, the women intending to listen to a course of lectures by Mrs. Julia Field, the Christian Scientist who recently returned from London, England. Several remarkable circumstances surround Mrs. Moores' death. It is not known whether the fatal malady was heart disease or pneumonia. Neither is it known whether the lack of medical attendance or an inefficacy on the part of Christian Science caused Mrs. Moores’ demise.
 The body is now in charge of an undertaker and an inquest is to be held today. Afterward, the remains will be shipped to Oregon. Members of the party with which Mrs. Moores came to St. Louis assert that she refused either a physician’s attendance or a treatment according to the precepts of Christian Science. They acknowledge, however, that when she refused these things her symptoms were such as might be thought to signify delirium. The persons with whom she came from Salem are A. F. Hofer and wife, Mesdames L. A. Port, J. Q. Wilson, A. A. Wheeler, J. Donaldson and R. S. Bean, and Miss O. Balion. All are well known in Salem. Immediately after their arrival here they engaged apartments at the house where Mrs. Moores passed away. The latter was 64 years of age and widow of the late I. R. Moores. None of her companions is young. She leaves an interesting family at her Pacific Coast home. The fact that Mrs. Moores’ death was not known to the members of the household at 2617 Pine street until yesterday morning, and an effort to conceal the details of her demise, only tended to increase the interest that was felt in it. The impression had gained ground that she was treated according to the tenets of Christian Science, and of course, this circumstance, in the face of her demise, evoked comment. 
At all events, the coroner may be called on today, to ascertain whether there was not some negligence in failing to summon a physician before the death. None of the women who accompanied Mrs. Moores to St. Louis would submit to an interview last evening. They gave as their excuse a reluctance to becoming involved in notoriety. However, they delegated Mr. Hofer to speak for them, and in response to questions he said: "The seven ladies came here to study Christian Science. On the way Mrs. Moores was seized with illness. There was a physician on board the train and I got him to attend her. He left her when we reached St. Louis. I don’t know what he thought ailed her. But she had told ladies in the party, who had known her for years, that she was afflicted with heart disease. We established her in a room and one of the party was always with her. She refused to have a physician attend her, and then Mrs. King called. But Mrs. Moores flew into a rage when we suggested the Christian Science treatment. I want it understood that Mrs. King then urged that the patient be taken to a place where she could have every attention that was necessary. She said Mrs. Moores declines to be treated by faith or doctors, and as she is sick she ought to be taken where she can be properly cared for." 
"But Mrs. Moores asserted that she was getting better. Saturday evening she fell into a sleep from which she did not awake. One of the ladies was present. It was two hours after Mrs. Moores fell asleep that it was discovered that she was dead. I can’t state positively what she died from, but I think it was heart disease. My wife and myself are on our way to pay a visit in Iowa. We all realize the prejudices that some people entertain against the Christian Science treatment. Mrs. Moores was not receiving it when she died."
A member of the household yesterday said that Mrs. Moores was treated according to the teachings of Christian Science, and the suggestions offered that a physician be summoned were not well received. Dr. Bradbury, a retired physician, and friend of the landlady, called at the house a few evenings ago. Mrs. Moores’s illness was mentioned to him, with the statement that the disease was presumed to be pneumonia. He advised that the lady and her friends be requested to employ a physician as pneumonia should have prompt and careful treatment. But, not practicing himself, he did not go to see Mrs. Moores. 
Mrs. Moores is said to have been a novice in Christian Science, having only recently determined to take the course of instruction, for which she came to this city. Her sons--three in number--were said to be willing to gratify any desire that would tend to promote her happiness at home or abroad. (Moores scrapbook) 

MOORES - In St. Louis, Mo., Saturday evening, September 12, 1896, Mrs. Ellen L. Moores, of this city, aged 65 years, 7 months and 21 days. 
Mrs. Moores left Salem on September 4th for St. Louis, Mo., to take an advanced course in Christian science, arriving at her destination on Tuesday last, a week ago today. She was accompanied by a number of Salem ladies. Mrs. Moores was a believer in this science, and it was not known that she was suffering from any illness when she left home on Sunday morning. 
Wylie Moores, of this city, received a telegram from Mrs. J. Q. Wilson, who was with the party, stating that Mrs. Moores had died suddenly on Saturday evening. Yesterday morning a letter was received int his city from Mrs. L. A. Port, one of the party. This letter was written before Mrs. Moores’ death and stated that Mrs. Moores had contracted a cold while on the train, and was ill. Yesterday afternoon an additional telegram was received by Wyle Moores from St. Louis stating that the remains were to be shipped last evening. They are expected to arrive here by Friday morning. Instructions had previously been telegraphed by her sons here to have the body embalmed and sent to this city. 
Mrs. Moores’ maiden name was Ellen Lamon. She was born in Danville, Ill, January 22, 1831. She crossed the plains in 1852, and came to Oregon with her father’s family. They passed one winter in Portland, coming to Salem in the spring of 1853. In 1856, Mrs. Moores was married to I. R. Moores, deceased, who was in the same wagon train across the plains. There are four sons living in this city who mourn her death - Ross E., Wylie A., Chas. H. and Carroll Moores. 
The deceased was a pioneer woman and was interested in the upbuilding of this state ever since she came here in the early days. She was for many years an active member of the Congregational church, and was a thorough Christian woman in every respect. She was a member in good standing of Salem Rebekah lodge, No. 1, I.O.O.F. Arrangements for the funeral will be made as soon as it is positively known when the remains will reach this city. 
Oregon Statesman 15 September 1896 8:6 

The remains of the late Mrs. Ellen L. Moores arrived in this city by the Salem local last evening and were conveyed to the residence at the corner of Front and Marion streets. 
Today from 9 o'clock a.m. until 12 o'clock noon the casket will be open and any friends of the deceased, who wish to take a last look at the remains, are requested to do so during that time, as the casket will not be open at the funeral. The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock at the residence, conducted by Rev. P. S. Knight. 
The members of Salem Rebekah lodge, No. 1, I. O.O.F , of which order the deceased was a member, and Salem camp, No. 118, W.O.W., to which members of the family belong, expect to attend the last sad rites, as a mark of respect to the deceased. Interment will be in the family plot in Rural cemetery, south of this city. 
Oregon Statesman 20 September 1896 5:4
INSCRIPTION: 
Ellen L. Moores 
1831 -1896
SOURCES: 
LR 
IOOF Register of Burials 
DAR pg 32 
Moores' scrapbook 
OS 15 September 1896 8:6
OS 20 September 1896 5:4
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 018 SPACE:  LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE: