Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-10-07
Communicated.


To the Editor Elk City Mining News,
Dear Sir:-A very common but mis-
taken notion is, that our sparse frontier
settlers, who have lived and farmed in
quite primitive style, are stolid, igno-
rant and verging on state of barbar-
ism, and certain notion is entertained
of the character, feelings and moral
sentiment of those living in the back
woods. But persons living in the large
cities, or even in the long established
farming districts of the eastern and
Pacific states, know little of the hard
ships, privations and self-denials of
frontier life. Certain there has been
vicious individuals among us and a few
may have fled from the restraints of
law and good order. but still the prin-
ciples af truth and righteousness have
predominated and constant but slow
process has been made toward a better
ment of conditions, both spiritual and
moral. Truly, for sound, sturdy human
plants, the unfriendliest soil is often
the friendliest.
Mrs. Elizabeth Young, the wife of j.
C. Young, who but a few days since
lifted the curtain of impenetrable dark
ness that wells, the future world, has
lived and labored for many long, years
amidst the real backwoodsmen, has par
taken of homely fare, slept continuously
in log cabin and has shared her rustic
but hearty hospitality with each new
conner. Though not educated to any
extent in book lore, she was still not
destitute of education, and kind feel
ings. In her was an inherited kindness
animals and strong maternal feeling
towards children. Frontier people have
energy and this trait in Mrs, Young
was very strong as shown in her tenac-
ious hold on life. For years she was a
sufferer, stricken with the infrmities
of declining years, and lately confined
to her solitary chamber. Her steps be-
coming feeble and faltering, her pro-
gress slow, until gradual sinking spell
came over her and all pain ceased. The
attending physician, DR.. B. S. Cullen,
did everything that medical skill and
care could devise. Friends from Elk
City and those from adjacent farms
were untiring in their efforts to render
all assistance possible to make her last
moments comfortable and her mind
tranquil, by kindly words reassuring
her that rest'and peace were soon to be
hers. ! Her thanks were profuse, attend
ed with smiles and hand press when
words failedsof Inference. Pride held
sway to the last and was indelibly
marked on her features in death. She
was robed beautifully which enhanced
this trait to a great extent.
The funeral services were presided
over by Rev. Kinkaid of Clearwater,
who gave very touching discourse,
applying his words to the life here and
to the hereafter which were appreciated
by very attentive audience of II per-
sons. A quartette accompanied by Mr.
Church as organist, rendered two hymns
in an impressive manner. A funeral
dirge was also played as the coffin was
born to and from the hall.
In a sunny glade about 200 yards to
the rear of her log cabin, surrounded by
low pines, where the grass will grow
green and high above the hands that so
often rested upon the heads of childhood
in kindest feeling, her remains were
laid to rest.
And dead must be the heart, the bosom
cold,
Which warns not with affection for the
old.
Mr.. Young fervently expresses his
heartfelt thanks to all those who at
tended his wife in sickness and death,
and to those who prepared her last
resting place.
AS her friends desired to contribute
toward an iron palisade and tombstone
suitably inscribed, subscriptions will be
taken in a few days.
Yours sincerely. 2.
MRS. j. c. LiTCHFIELD.