The following are research notes/thoughts regarding the story found in the Goldendale Sentinel
It is NOT FACT. It is an attempt to put the pieces together to who Mary Brown is and should be ONLY treated as fodder for additional research -- E. Rowley

Reprinted in the July 9, 1942 edition of The Goldendale Sentinel
"Clippings of the Past"
Originally published October 20, 1887

Mary Brown

We regret to have to announce the death of Mary Brown, wife of W. R. Brown, living near Columbus in this county. Mrs. Brown's death occurred this (Wednesday) morning from typhoid fever having contracted the same while kindly assisting in caring for those afflicted with said disease in the family of George W. Miller in The Dalles, Ore. Mrs. Brown was about thirty-seven years of age and has resided with her husband in this county since the fall of 1879. She leaves a loving husband, two children, and many friends to mourn her departure."

The preceding news item listed these facts:
Mary Brown was about 37 years old
Her birth year would have been about 1850
She was married to W.R. Brown
They had two children
The Brown family pioneered in Klickitat County in 1879.
Mary died in October 1887 at her home near Columbus.

Research Sources:

1880 US Census
Mary Brown was born in Indiana about 1852 and was married to Rufus Brown. They had three children: Harriet, Josephine and William (all born in Indiana)

1883 WA State & Territorial Census
Mrs. Mary Brown was born in Indiana bout 1852. She was married to W. R. Brown and they had three children: HE, Jose, and Wm.

1885 WA State & Territorial Census
Mary Brown was married to a W.R. Brown. She was born in Indiana about 1851. They had two children: Harriet and William F.

1887 WA State & Territorial Census
ME Brown was born in Indiana about 1852. She was married to Wm R Brown. They hadtwo children: Hattie and Wm F Brown.

Research Speculation:

Ancestry.com Family trees cite that the Mary Brown who died in Klickitat County in this news item in 1887 is Mary Ellen Lockwood who was born in Franklin County, Indiana and who married a William Rufus Brown in Franklin County, Indiana on January 30, 1870. (This is supported by the Indiana Marriage Index documentation.)