Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-07-02
Funeral of "TOnl" Aram.


in the Clearwater river, at Lew
iston on May 20, were brought
home for final interment and ar
rived on Friday last. They were
conveyed to the old home where
his bereaved wife wished to have
them rest one night before burial.
They were then brought to the
/. o. y. +. hall and given to
the charge of the Woodmen of the
World and l. o. 0. F., under
whose auspices the public services
were held. Several stately pines
were brought from the mountains,
and underneath these two large
logs were placed upon which the
casket rested. Bright flowers,
"Emblems of our own great res
urrcction," were interviewer with
the green, and the spacious hall
was filled with the sweet odor.
All was done that kind and loving
friends could do to soften the
heavy blow that had fallen on the
sorrowing family, and the hall
was overlooking with friends who
had come from far and near to at
tend the last sad rites of their dead
friend. The choir sang several
beautiful selections, among them
''Let the lower lights be burning"
favorite of the dear departed.
The funeral sermon, preached by
Rev. w. A. Hall, was very impress
sive, taking for his text Feel. 9:12.
John Thomas Aram was born at
West Point, Calaveras county,
Calf, May %, 1858. In Deem
Der of that year his parents moved
to Portland, Oregon, and in 1864
the family removed to Camas
prairie, where they have ever since
resided, honored and respected by
all. Tom Aram was thus raised
on Camas prairie and through his
occupation as cattle buyer he was
probably better known to this
people than any other citizen in
the county. He was married at
Mt. Idaho, March 20, 1892, to Car
rie L. Moore, and the fruit of this
union is two children, too young to
realize their great loss. The cir
cumstances Of his death are SO sad
and tragical as to bear repetition.
On May 20 while crossing cattle at
the Clearwaterferry at Lewiston,
and while crossing the last load,
the boat being about to sink, he
jumped for the bride ropes and
had secured himself in safety
when the cable broke and he was
thrown into the river, which was
then at a high stage and danger
Gus. The accident was witnessed
by 300 people, but in the absence
Of a boat nothing could be done to
effect his rescue. The banks OF
the Clearwater and Snake rivers
were closely watched in order that
the body might be recovered, and
hope had been practically aban-
doned, when a body was found far
down the Columbia river, about
four miles above the Cascade Locks
on May IS, which proved to be
that of our dead friend. The en-
tire distance of over 300 miles was
traversed in seven days-an almost
incredible story, but true one.
Divested of all clothing and the
features mutilated and disfgured
beyond recognition, Identification
was made through a ring on the
finger and a spur and strap which
remained attached to the foot.
Thus through all its melancholy
wanderings through the waste of
waters kind providence safely
guided the body to point where
it could be recovered by anxious
friends. 1t had washed ashore on
n sand bar at a wild and desolate
spot on the Washington shore
where there are no roads and no
way of access save by the river.
The settlers are few and far be-
tween and the discovery of the
body was the merest accident.
Such are the details Of the most
lamentable fatality which has oc-
CURED to citizen Of this commu-
nifty since the dark days of III.
We knew Tom Aram we'll. He
had a sunny disposition, and al
ways smile and CHEEKY word for
all whom he met. He was a use
full member of this isolated COM
munity; in his business capacity he
bought and sold cattle and thus
helped the markets for those who
could not trade themselves. He
was widely and favorably known
and the whole circle Of his acquain-
lance will miss him and grieve
over his early and untimely de-
mise
To the aged father and mother
to the brothers and sisters, and to
the sOrrOWinp wife and little ones