The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

Uncle Joe" Irwin. the famous fisher
man. a man who saw the West develop
from vast wild to wealth and civiliza-
ton. died this morning at the age OF
eighty-one. He had been in the most fee
bic health for six months. During the
winter months he was scarcely out of his
house more than once or twice. No dis
ease had fastened its hold upon him; be
| had simply lived out his life He was one
| OF the familiar figures of Kansas City. He
had seen it grow from a steamboat land
| ing TO its present size OF late years he
| had been in no business and in the spring
| and summer when his health would per-
init. he spent his time along the brooks
and streams at his favorite pastime. Mr.
| Irwin lived at 1918 Michigan Avenue. His
| wife, whom he married at Independence
! sixty-two years ago, survives him. He
| leaves two sons. Joseph W Irwin, of Lit
| tie Rock. Ark. and James c. Irwin Of
Fort Smith, Ark. Messages have been
sent to them and the funeral arrange
| ments await their arrival
Uncle joe Irwin had a remarkable ca
reer His life was an active one and full
of adventure. and nothing pleased him
more than to tell of his experiences on
the plains In early days.
Mr.. Irwin was born in Kentucky in 1919.
He moved to independence Mo- which
was then on the very Western border of
civilization, in 1881. Mr. Irwin became
an employe of Owens, Aull & Co. the
principal firm Of outfitters and freighters
for the plains. He made many perilous
trips across the plains in those days. The
trains we're often attacked by Indians and
Mr. Irwin had many exciting experiences.
Silks and other fine goods were freighted
to Mexico and Mexican silver dollars sew
ed up in rawhide sacks were the return
cargoes that the wagon trains brought to
independence. Copper bullion. hides. and
wool were other commodities taken in ex-
change for goods shipped TO Mexico. OF
his career Mr.. Irwin once said:
In 1915. l went to Leavenworth and
traded stock. There I engaged in the trans
portation business. I remained until the
war of the rebellion broke out. During this
time 1 made several trips to Santa Fe.
The Mexican war was great boon to the
American freighters, for the Santa Fe
trade doubled during this time. The trade
was divided between the Americans and
MeXicans before this, but after the war the
Americans held the entire trade and got
much of the Chihuahua trade in addition
4 well remember the Mormon troubles.
and I was one Of the original purchasers
Of the land owned by the Mormons when
they were driven out of the county. l
owned five lots, including the famous tenn
pie lot on which the Mormon temple was
TO have been built. This property / held
for thirty years. During the troubles
which ended in the expulsion of the Nor
mons. William Wilson a schoolmate of
mine. was killed on the Westport road.
witnessed the destruction of the printing
outfit of the Mormons after they were driv-
en- out. and all the events connected with
period are still very clear in my mind.
81 remained in the Santa Fe trade till
the war of the rebellion broke out when
l formed the company of Irwin, Jsckman
e Co, and engaged in Government con-
tracing We operated three routes of
transporta ion; the first was from here to
Santa Fe; the second was from here to
Salt Lake, and the third was from Santa
Fe to FL Paso. AS an illustration of the
extent Of this trade, in which Kansas City
was largely interested, l bought at one
time $500 wagons from a Pittsburg firm.
This was divided into twenty-six trains,
and the price l received for transporting
freight at this time was $134 per 100
pounds for 100 miles. AS ii was 500 miles !
from here to Santa Fe, and LOO miles from
here to Salt Lake City. it is easy to figure |
the aggregate for a train of twenty-five |
wagons, each loaded with 5000 pounds of |
freight. An old colored man of Independ- !
cree for years made all the yokes which |
were used by the freighters of Kansas City |
and Independence.
III events had not transplred differently /
| might have been a millionaire at the /
present time. The people Of Kansas City, /
in order to induce me to move the head |
quarters of my freight trade to this place, |
gave a large amount of property in Nc |
Gees addition as a bonus But in an evil /
hour some Of the Southern sympathizers, ,
during the border troubles. broke into my |
warehouse and stole about $500 worth of |
Government goods. | offered to make good .
the amount if the Government would allow |
me to remain in Kansas City, but the |
was obdurate and refused to /
permit me to jeopardize its property by al |
lowing il to remain here. | was ordered TO |
move to Leavenworth If l wished to re-
tain the contract. l thereby forfeited the /
which had been given to me and |
which would now be worth 81 600 900.
I'm 1857 I QUILTED Hooper & Williams. |
Mormon freighters, for Salt Lake City. !