Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-10-09
A GOOD MAN GONE.

fJ VI VIC ncafL, Alexander
Orchard.
Mr.. Orchard was born in Shannon
county, Missouri, in 1886, and was 50
years of age on the 10th of last Sen.
tember. He emigrated to California
IN 1850 or 81, and from there went
to Auburn, Oregon, and was one of
the pioneers Of Florence, the scene of
the tirst gold excitement in Idaho.
and arrived in this Basin with Jeff
otandifer's party in the fall of 1862,
the year that gold was discovered
here by the Grimes and Branstetter
party. AS soon as the news of the
gold discovery reached Florence
otandlfer's party was organized, and
was the first to reach the Basin after
the original discoverers. Mr.. Orch
ard was therefore among the very
early pioneers of Boise Basin. He
resided great many years in Placer
vile, where he was engaged in busl-
ness. he was married at that place
in 1867. From there he moved to
Idaho City on being elected Assessor
of the county. This office he filed
three terms, each time being elected
by large majority. He was faith
full and efficient officer, and gained
the respect and esteem of everybody
as public Official, as we'll as pri-
vate citizen. Of late years he has
been engaged in the hotel business
at this place.
lie has been constant, but pa
tient, sufferer from rheumatism of the
severest kind for twenty years, and
the last year or two his sufferings
were almost unbearable. A few
months ago, in addition to rheuma-
tism, he became afflicted with com
plication of diseases-having dropsy,
which reached the heart, and the
liver and lungs being also affected.
He bore his sufferings with a fortl-
tude and good nature that was truly
wonderful. No matter what his suf-
ferings, he was always genial, good
natured, sociable and companionable.
We have been intimately acquainted
with him for a great many years,
and never saw him ill-tempered-al-
ways the same agreeable, companion
able friend, ever kind to family,
friends and acquaintances, and never
bewailing or deploring his hard lot as
a constant sufferer. To be continu-
ally i'll and yet always with sun
shiny disposition proved that his ma
ture was exceptionally of the most
kind, genial and warm-hearted. A
more strictly honest and honorable
man could not be found, and his
charity was the natural result of a
kind, sympathetic narure. Wespeak
of genial Alexis good traits, not
from heresay, but from personal
knowledge as one of his old, inti-
mate friends of many years. This
tribute to his uprlghtness and true
manhood will be appreciated and
heartily endorsed by his many warm
and sincere personal friends of Boise
county.
Mr.. Orchard became unconscious
at s O'Clock Wednesday evening,
ard never regained consciousness
His last moments were unattended
with pain or suffering, and he passed
quietly into that mystic land beyone
the shores of time.
There is no sight so sacred as thai
of quiet frame that once enshrineo
noble spirit, and no appearance Sc
pathetic as the pale, placid face tha
had reflected moral virtue and meEta
vigor. This was sensibly demon
strated during the performance of the
last offices over the body of our late
friend, companion and citizen, Alex
Orchard. No one looked on his ia
miliar form, folded in the arms 0
Death, without thinking of the active
goodness that characterized his life
The pure thoughts expressed In hi
conversation, the generous deeds tha
adorned his daily department vii
flourish in the grateful remembrance
of his many admiring friends. Hi
bravery was marvellous to practic
unwearied industry in, and constan
attention to, his business, while hi
health was constantly failing. ii
bore his suffering without complain
inc. of what he had to bear. He en-
dured all things without divulgin'
personal distress. He took the las
of h;s piI,rrimape withou