Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-10-07
ANOTHER PIONEER GONE.
William c. Pearson, of Grangeviiie, Crosses
the Dark River.

One by one the pioneers of this love.
ly valley are called to their last home.
and those who are left behind feel a
cold chill at their hearts as with falter-
ing footsteps they follow the bier of old.
time colleagues to its last resting place
and reflect upon the thought that them
selves may be next on the list to be call
ed hence by the angel of death. It
was long and mournful procession
that wound its length slowly through
the Main street Of this town on Hatur.
day last, for the community had turned
out to pay the last sad tribute to high.
ly respected and universally esteemed
and honored citizen, William C. Pear
son, who departed this life on Thursday,
September 20, 1902. Mr.. Pearson was
in all respects a patriarch of this valley,
and its present good name and fame are
owing in large degree to his unceasing
efforts to spread its reputation abroad.
He was typical pioneer, having been
born in Chatauqua county, New York,
in November, 1929, and at an early age
emierating to Missouri, and thence to
California and Oregon, and finally, in
1862, he came to this part of Idaho and
located here for good. Although ayerse
to holding official position be was re-
peatedly elected by the people to va.
rious positions of service and trust. He
was several times member of the old
territorial legislature and his legislative
colleagues refer to him to this day as an
invaluable committeeman whose fund
Of shrewd sense and strong fidelity to
his constituents kept at bay the cormo-
rants who are always seeking to control
legislation and prey upon the public in-
terests.
Camas Prairie in general and Grange
vile in particular, has lost an ever zeal
GUS and faithful friend who was always
without reward or hope Of reward
an earnest worker in all measures tend.
ing to improvement. we recall that
when the Agricultural Experiment Sta.
ton was projected by Mr.. Forney In q
two hours' visit here, it was w. G. Pear.
son who thrust himself into the breach,
collected the citizens in mass meeting
and spent several days with Frank
Shissler and others canvassing through
rain and mud for the funds which fin
ally captured the station for this com.
munity. He had all the good qualities
of the pioneer. and was liberal to q
fault. He was married in 1853, and
leaves several children, all of whom are
useful members Of this community.
The funeral was conducted under the
auspices of Mt. idaho lodge No. z. l. o.
o. F., of which be was an honored and
enterprisinR member and indeed, it
seems from the universal expressions
that in every relation of life Mr.. Pear
son was equally prominent, and proba-
blv no single individual in the commu-
nity will be more missed from his &C.
customed haunts.
The cause of his death was infama-
tion of the bowels, induced by eating
too freely of fresh fruits. He had spent
several days on Salmon river and upon
his return home was taken down and
after much suffering finally closed his
eyes in peace. Thus has departed val
liable citizen, good friend. a loving
husband and kind father. respected and
self respecting, in whom was blended
the highest qualities of American citi-
zenship. An inspired writer has told US
that the heart of the wise is in the
house of mourning, and with this conso-
lation we must be content in the loss of
our departed friend and fellow citizen.