, 1884-01-12

noAhg OuAa
Thursday Of this week r. W. FUr-
rest, Esq, one Of our pioneer mer-
chants, closed out the last of his
grocery stock, after a steady service
Of four years behind the counter, and
will retire to private life, providing
his active mind can accommodate it.
self to the luxury of idleness. We
feel that 1t is not only fitting but a
duty we owe to one who has contri-
buted his time, means and influence
toward aiding in the growth and
prosperity of Spokane Falls, to say a
few words in regard to this estim-
able gentleman at this particular
time, when his withdrawal from
commercial life checks out another
of the Old-timers who owe much of
their success financially to mercantile
pursuits in this city. r. w. Forrest
is well and favorably known not only
in this county but throughout the
northwest. Our remarks will hav
nothing TO do with his career prior
to his appearing upon the field Of ac-
tion in this county, further than to
say that he faithfully served and
won hOnOrs rs soldier battling to
prevent the dismemberment Of the
Union, that he was a successful mer-
chant in one of the Western States,
and was always q prominent MEM
Der of the communities in which he
resided. Mr.. Forrest came to SpO-
kane Falls in 1879, and established
cable ferry across the Spokane river
Il few miles above town. This ven
ture turned out II fortunate one, and
proved the proprietor to he a shrewd
and far-secing speculatOr. Whsle still
running the ferry he opened gro
Gerry store at the Fails, at first on Il
small scale, as the demands Of the
upper country were limited, and in
creased his stock and widencd his
field of operations as the country
filled up. The store was started
early in 1880, and was located where
Union Block now stands. In the
destructive fire of year ago Mr..
Forests store stood in the track of
the consuming element and went
up in smoke with number Of other
buildings similarly situated. Moth
ing daunted by this disaster Mr.. For
rest at once secured fresh stock of
goods and opened in the quarters he
has occupied up to the date of his
withdrawal from business. In the
meantime, in connection with few
other gentlemen, he aided in the
construction Of Union Block, a
brick structure that is an ornament
and credit to the place. BY his
strict attention to business, suavity
address and courtesy he built up Il
very remunertive trade and made
the large number of friends who will
regret to see his place in the mer-
camille ranks vacated. While en-
gagged here he has had time to cast
his eye upon other points in the ter
ritory, and one Of his investments at
Tacoma now promises to make him
immensely wealthy, as he holds n
large piece Of finely located land in
that city. Mr.. Forests abilities
have not heen confined entirely to
private business during his residence
here. lie was chosen by the people
as the first Mayor Of Spokane Falls
after its organization as a city, a
position that he filed with rare good
Judgment. Mr.. Forrest has been
identified with the Falls almost from
its infancy up to the present day Of
its brightness and developing great
ness. lie has taken an active part
in the grand advancement and hls
buiIdcd monuments to mark the era
Of its prosperity that will endure for
years. lie has been rewarded for
his industry and perseverance with
a goOdly share Of this worlds goods,
and deserves the recompense that
has flowed in upon him. lie will
probably always make this his home,
us he is endeared to it through as
sO,iations, to say nothing Of his pro-
perty interests. As he steps down
and out Of an honorable business
career we can only say with his
friends may he live. long and con-
tinue to prosper.