The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-05-18
JACK kER DEAD.
An Old Pioneer Passes Away at Yakima City
A Man of Many Friends and Social
Virtues


Jack K.r, known to ev, ry oldtimer in
Yakima, died on Monday night at Old
Town. of dropsy His age was reckoned
n - wears, but he looked much older.
He was formerly constable of Yakima
CITY. He was elected coroner in 1896 by
the fusion party but was defeated for
ihr office last year in the republican land
slide. Jack X was widely known in
this county, having been pioneer of
pioneers. He fought in the Indian war,
being a par icipant in the battle with
the Yakima's IN Union Gap in 1856.
ii was a bachelor and leaves no kindred
known here. He was a staunch demo-
era, firm friend and good hater.
Many anecdotes are told If him and
some of the warns he used to tell smacked
of the marvellous. He once said that
when he tir,t came to the Yakima coun-
try tobacco was so scarce that he would
lay twenty dollar gold piece ont plug
and cut out quid the siz. Of the coin in
exchange for the gold. Jack was a free.
thinker and often used to saw, "W"'n "A
mans dead his body's cold and that's all
there is to it " DR.. Taft, Judge Beck,
David Guilnnd and others in tits city
knew him 80 years ago in Umatilla,
where he kept butcher shop. Henry
Allen knew him SO years ago in klicki
Al All
lie left house and garden in Old
Town, all his worldly possessions. unless
he has some gold pieces stored away, as
some of his friends believe. Jack was a
kindly old soul and will be held long il
affectionate remembrance by mis- init
mate friends. He was buried at Yakima
City on Wednesday.
JACKS EARLY CAREER.
Mr.. Ker was born on the Emerald isle
American or drawer defender of the stars
and stripes ever lived. Soon after com
ing to his country Mr.. Ker entered the
army. being stationed at Fortress Mon
service he was put in command of one of
the big guns, and at that time the largest
gun in the service in the United States.
Early in 1866 the 9th Infantry was
formed under General Churchill and Col.
Wright, and Mr.. Ker joined the com
pany, which was soon ordered to pro
coed west to fight the Indians on the
frontier If Oregon. Their first battle
was fought near the cascades on the Col
umbia, March 80 1856, the regiment be-
ing under the command of Colonel
Wright Among the other troops en-
gagged were two companies of the 18th
Infantry and a detachment of the 2nd
Dragons under the command of Gener
al-then Lieutenant - Phil Sheridan.
Later in the year the regiment was or
dered 10 this part of the country, being
stationed for time at Fort SimcOe. 1t
was then that Mr.. ker decided that he
had reached country that was good
enough for him and concluded to shake
Uncle Sam and make a start in life for
himself, although having had tempting
offers to remain in the army, and having
passed successful examination at Fort
Vancouver which entitled him to a COM
mission. While army life had its charms
there were other things which seemed
to outweigh these attractions. so in 1860
he received his discharge at Fort Col
vile. returning Immediately to this val
ley, where he began to gather about
him considerable live stock.
In the early days, when money was
scarce, and when nearly every one in
this then sparsely settled country found
cattle rai>ing the most remunerative bus
ines to engage in, Mr.. ker bought a
number of young cattle, giving his word
that he would pay for them on n certain
date. Time rolled on, and Mr.. Ker find
ing something more lucrative elsewhere.
disappeared, no one seemingly knowing
where AS the time for the payment of
the amount drew near the holder of the
account began to have grave fears of its
too much for one of Mr.. Ker's friends
who overheard the remark, and lie ven
tured to wager that the account would
be paid the date it was due. One hun
tlred dollars was fixed on as the limit OF
the bet, a stakeholder was selected, and