Death & burial of William Bedford Temple, b. 1811, Va.
The death and burial of William Bedford Temple b, 1811, Va [who married 1st Elizabeth Allen and who married 2nd, Matilda Riddles b. 1822, ILL, dau/of Richard Riddles and Priscilla Celia McCutchen] has been established as 24 June 1850 with his burial on the north side of Chimney Rock, Nebraska which is now a National Historic Site along the old California and Oregon Trails.[
Having left Carroll County, Arkansas about 30 September 1849;William Temple in the company of Alexander Fancher and a Capt. Page were members of a wagon train which consisted of about 16 or 17 wagons were headed to a cattle market in El Dorado County, California.
When Alexander Fanchers' party of about 3 or 4 wagons left the larger train, William Bedford Temple stayed behind with Capt. Page. and at that time was said to be in good health.
William's last letter home to his wife in Carroll Co.,Ark. was dated 2 June 1850 but by June 24th 1850, William had died.
Researcher: Willie Gail Riddles-Rotzoll
**Resources: Temple's Grave- Littleton, Diary of Overland Journey, 1 July 1850, pg. 23
Letters of William Bedford Temple,"Dear Wife and Children" dated 11 May 1850 & 2 June 1850- Oregon State Historical Society. Donated 1979-80 by Mr. & Mrs. Walter Daniels**