San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-29
IRA TRIP DEAD.
The Man Who Hired a Servant to
DO His Smoking for Him,

the Man Who Hired a Servant to
DO His Smoking for Him.
Philadelphia Enquirer.l
One of the most prominent and we'll
known characters and personages
connected with the discovery and de-
velopment of the wonderful resources
of the coal deposit in the Valley of the
Lackawanna, passed away in Scran-
ton Monday, Aug. 8, after a short i'll
ness. Col. Ira Trip was well known
resident of Scrant Ton, and resided In q
magnificent house on North Main
avenue. Though his health has been
somewhat poor recently, his death
was as unexpected as it was sudden.
Col. ira Trip was the second son of
Isaac and Catharine Tripp, and was
born on the 9th day of January, 1914.
His great grandfather, moving
from Providence, r. l., settled ia
Wiikesbarre In 1869, being one of the
first settlers. Col. Trip spent his
youthful days on his fathers farm,
his educational advantages being
very few and limited. In 1888 he
married, having by this union two
sons and one daughter. all of whom
passed away before this hale and
hearty old gentlemen, who breathed
his last Monday. His eldest son was
well known as a fine conversations
list and student. In front of his large
and old-fashioned residence may be
seen two large play Louses, built In q
very pretty style of architecture.
These were used by his two daugh-
tiers, one of whom was adopted.
Both dying in mere childhood the
old man kept sacred the only rem
iniscences of his loved ones. The
contents renamed undisturbed, just
as his daug hters had left them. Col.
Trip, or Ira Trlpp as he was more
Familiarity designated, was appointed
an aid.de-camp by Gov. Pollack, with
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr..
Trip was originally a whig, subse-
quently becoming q stauuch repub-
lican. He, however, never actively
engaged in politics, although at one
time ne was 3 candidate for sheriff of
Luzerne county. For many years he
was one of the Independents of the |
State Agricultural society, always |
taking great interest in agricultural |
matters. .-
His interest, moreover, was not |
but practical, but the old |
gentleman evinced great pleasure in |
showing his fine cattle and thorough
bred horses. Col: Trip was a strik-
ing figure, and is probably better |
to the reader of the |
Inquirer as the man who had another
man smoke for him. Mr.. Trip was |
al inveterate smoker, and several
years ago his physicians forbade him
to smoke. He engaged a colored
man, paid him very high wages and
him expensive cigars, the
smoke Of which his coiorod attendant
blew In his face.
The residents of Scranton often
remember the pleasing picture the
venerable Colonel presented IS he
was frequently driven through the
streets of the city in his carriage
His constant companion was his col.
ored coachman, George Reyes, who
loved his master as we'll as he did
He possessed a genial
nature, which, added to his
made him q pleasant and
companion and won him
many warm friends. He was the
possessor OF an individuality which
which made him greatly respected
by all who knew him. His
peculiarities were also of
noteworthy kind, but only en-.
dered him to his friends the
more. Col. Trips fortune at one
time amounted to several millions,
but through misfortune it was con-
siderably diminished He was the
owner of some of the most valuable
property in Scran ton and real es-
tate in Lackawanna. He leaves
a widow and two grandchildren.
Thus are the venerable persons who
have built up the now wonderfully
progressive City of Scranton and the
rich valley Of the Lackawanna pass
ing away. Only few more remain
to note the giant strides made in this
wonderful coal region.