Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-02-13
A Tribute.

A Tribute.
The following tribute to Thomas j.
Riley was prepared by Fred C. Shaf5rr.
who was a close personal friend os the
deceased:
I'm the death of Thomas J. Riley this
week the city of Idaho Springs sustains
the loss Of one OF her best citizens and
the state has lost a pioneer prospector
and builder. The evidences of grief
we're, indeed, manifest here in Idaho
Springs where he has resided for twenty
years. Out of respect for his memory
and as a tribute to his genuine worth
every business house in the city was
closed for half day Wednesday and the
old friends who crowded St Paul's church
to pay their las, mark of respect to their
old friend were bowed down in sorrow.
While his death was not entirely usex-
pected, yet il was rather surprising IN ITS
announcement AS word had been giveu
out that he was recovering TO some extent
as the 5 trief caused by the death OF his sis
ter recently became more distant. Mon
day morning. however. the summons
came.
Mayor George Riley, brother Of de-
ceased. has borne his sorrow with the
courage and fortitude characteristic OF
both. During the past three months he
has los, his sister and now the double
blow comes with even more force.
Tom" Riley. as he was fsniiiiarly
known, was one of the pioneer prospec-
tors and mining men of Colorado. The
brothers were born of good old Irish
stock in Morris county, New Jersey. De
ceased was born in 1857. In 1876. Cen
tenniai year. the two brothers went to
Lake Superior and from that day their
star was in the west. In 1877 they came
to Central City, Colo, and re-
maiued there until May, 1873, going to
the Park county gold fields. From Park
county they w.nt to Leadville in 1873
and was present the following year when
the gold excitement was at its height.
In 1850 the brothers found themselves
developing new fields at Aspen. In a
shor, time they returned to Leadville
and in 1882 went from there to Park
county and from the latter place return
ed to Idaho Springs in 1854. Since that
date they have made their home here
continuously, with the exception of two
winters spent in California where Tom"
believed it might be possible to regain
his health.
In their mining operations in this dis
trict they were eminently successful and
the development and sale Of the Frank
lin is an evidence Of their success At
the present time this is part Of the big
Gem consolidation.
For twenty yesrs the boys toiled in
Cilson Culch. Both men entered the
Geld with abundant strength and energy
and it was during this long period of toll
that Tom" lost his health and, while
the PHYSICIANS certificate does not reed
in that way. it is the general impression
amond the old timers that his death re-
8UuCu uubhCb ~OticuhiResOos
Everyone who knew Mr.. Riley was his
friend. He was man with strong con-
victions and back Of these convictions
was courage to defend them. Personally
be was lovable mau-plessant. obliging
md ready TO extend the hard of sym.
pathy to anyone. A loyal friend in every
way. George and Tom were welded
together by love that vas like that Of
Damon and Pythias. II wss more than
the ordinary family Affections Of brother
Eor brother. II was love that would
have caused the one to have taken and
borne the suffesings Of the other. Idaho
Springs, indeed. srieves With Mayor
Riley for the city has lost . friend-a
pioneer whose Drawn and brain and
enerxy helped to make il what il 10.
- A