Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-31
Edward NnrLe

EDS. REcoRD-U MON The subject Of thi
sketch. Edward Yorke, whose death was
announced in your Geographic dispatch
from San Bernardino yesterday, was a man
of uncommon attainments, and one whose
career had been much more than ordina-
rily cvcntfu. Born in Louisiana, he was
| Literally educated in France, having grad
uated from the Central School of Technol-
ogy and Engineering at Paris. His earlier
manhood was spent in Mexico, whittier
his fathers family had gone during our
war, in 1862 or 1863. Here. during the
troublesome times of Mexican politics. he
became somewhat identified in interest
with one of the ruling cliques, and with its
| other members, at a time III change of
| power, was outawed and declared a rebel.
to be again brought into considerable
prominence and influence when q reversal
of public opinion brought his associates
once more into favor Thus he had several
years of an exciting military career, during
which time and subsequent years of pro-
fessional life as a civil engineer 10 about
1869, he became exceptionally well in
formed concerning the topography and
physical geography of centra! Mexico
Coming to California III 1869. and engaged
professionally here for several years. he re-
turned to Mexico with the Rosecrans
railroad expedition as Chief Engineer, and
through his knowledge of the country and
the people, rendered most valuable service
to the movers in that ill-starred enterprize.
Again taking up his residence in California
for several years of professional life he re-
turned to Mexico with the General Palmer
party, agents of the Tom Scott syndicate of
railway magnates With the failure of
this attempt TO carry the iron-horse through
the heart of our sister republic, he came
again to California and was associated pro-
fcSsionally with our present State Engineer,
with San Francisco as headquarters. On
the formation of the office of State Engi-
neer, Mr.. Yorke was put in charge of all
office work, as Chief Assistant This posi-
ton he filled until he received an appoint
mcnt, in the fall of 1879. as Chief Engineer
of the Pacific Branch of the Mexican Cen
trail Railroad-a line projected from San
Bias via Topic and Guadalajara, to the
main line which is now in operation
from FL Paso to the City of Mexico. Upon
service in this most rugged and forbidding
country for engineering work, Mr.. Yorlle
was engaged until six months ago when
the general depression in Mexican railroad
matters led to his resignation. Returning
to California he again found duty with the
State Engineers department and in this
service came to his death. Think, that a
man passing as he has through the widest
scenes of mountain and desert life-at
times living amongst banditti to escape
from political prosecutors again and again
Drawing the torrents and the precipices of
trackless wilderness, extensively Travelled
by sea rs well as land; shipwrecked and
reduced to want on desert island several
times soiouner in plague spots of fever
during deaths widest forays; think, hay
ing passed through all this, and much |
more, for space will not permit of all being |
told, that now, having much loved and |
loving wife, a prospect of peace and happi- |
ness for his prime and later years. he |
should, in the midst of civilization in the |
very garden spot of our State, be drowned |
in little river. the like of which he had |
often braved unfearingly. Truly, the ways |
of Providence are past finding out How |
many there be who might be spared; how |
many whose death would but be their own |
gain But here the angel Of death has
reached forth, taking one of our accom-
plished, genial, gentle men, whom no one
knew well but to like, to value as friend,
TO cultivate as an associate; one whose ex-
perience and requirements fitted him for |
a useful prime of life and closing acts at a |
good old age: one whose tastes and dispo-
sition would have insured happiness and
peaceful life to those dear to him May
God comfort and sustain them May the |
All Powerful gather him to His arms H.
Sacramento, May %, 1884.