The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06
TIE PASSING OLA PIONEER
He Saw the West Advance Out of
Its Wilderness.
Joe Irwin Was His Name and He
Passed Fourscore Years on Lies
Pnthway-His Career of Advcn-
lures in Early Days-A Famous
Devotee of the PiscatoriaI Art.

Uncle Joe" Irwin, the famous fisher
from vast wild to wealth and civiliza-
ton. died this morning at the age Of
eighty-one. He had been in the most fee
Bile 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. he
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. or 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
inan:s 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 emp1oye Of Owens, AulI & Co., the
principal firm of outfitters and freighters
for the plains. He made many perilous
trips across the plains in those days The
trains were 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 rawhde 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 MIR. Irwin once said:
In 1916, | went to Leavenworth and
traded stock. There | engaged II the trans
portation business. remained until the
war of the rebellion broke out During this
time l made several trips to Santa Fe.
The Mexican war was a 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.
81 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
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
eli In ind
81 remained In the Santa Fe trade till
the war of the rebellion broke out, when
formed the company of Irwin, Jackman
& Co., and engaged In Government con-
tracing. We oDerated three routes OF
transportation; 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 800 wagons from Pittsburg firm.
This was divided into twenty-six trains,
and the price received for transporting
freight at this time was $1.34 per 100
pounds for 100 miles. AS il was 500 miles
from here TO Santa Fe. and L. 200 miles from
;,ere to Salt Lake City, it is easy to figure
he aggregate for a train of twenty-five
wagons, each loaded with 5000 pounds of
freight. An old colored man of Indepepd-
cree for years made all the yokes which
were used by the freighters of Kansas City
and Independence.
"if events had not transpired 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 large amount of property III 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. l offered to make good
the amount if the Government would allow
me to remain in Kansas City, but the
Government was obdurate and refused to
permit me to teopardize its property by al
lowing it to remain here. l was ordered &c
move to Leavenworth If I wished to re-
tain the contract. l thereby forfeited the
property which had been given to me and
which would now be worth 81 900, 900.
'In 1857 l QUILTED Hooper & Williams.
Mormon freighters, for Salt Lake City.