The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-08-02
Georg w. Alexander Called by
Death Early Sunday Morning
at His Parker Home
FOUGHT IN UNION GAP
INDIAN BATTLES IN 1855
Enlisted at the Age of Eighteen
Under Colonel Nesmith and
Was a Companion in Arms of
the Dashing Phil Sheridan

George w. Alexander, pioneer, SOL
der and man of affairs, departed this
life early Sunday morning at his
home in Parker. nine miles south
east of this city, after an illness of
two years with dropsy, during many
months of which time he suffered
most intensely. The end came as a
relief, being welcomed. During his
past few weeks of life he talked calm
ly with his relatives about his APP
preaching end, and endeavored to
reconcile them to the change. For
himself he had no fears, and his
closing moments were of comparative
peace
Mr.. Alexander had been making his
home with his daughter and so lin
law, Mr.. and Mrs. A. e. Goodwin,
from whence the funeral cortege
started at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon
for Yakima City, where interment
took place, hundreds of Outline
friends being present to testify to
their appreciation of the high regard
in which he was held. DR.. morton T..
Rose, of North Yakima, conducted
the services, which were most i'm
pressive.
Deceased is survived by his widow,
Mrs. Mary Farris Alexander, a sister
vt Mrs. S. T. Farris of this city; by an
only daughter, Mrs. A. E. Goodwin,
and by an only grandson. Chester
Goodwin.
Helped Make History
George w. Alexander was born
October Is, 1886, in Anderson coun-
ty, Kentucky, and removed to Mis-
souri, at the age OF six years. He
crossed the plains by OK team in 1853
in company with G.. j. Basket, who
afterward became famous in the his
tory of Oregon. He settled in Polk
county, Oregon, whore he married
Miss Mary F'arris.
On his eighteenth birthday he en-
listed in the Oregon Volunteers I'M
der Colonel Nesmith to quell the In
dian outbreaks which at that time
were numerous. Mr. Alexander was
the last survivor in Yakima county
of the battle of Union Gap in 1855,
which marked the breaking up of the
Indian uprisings. Among others with
whom Mr.. Alexander served were Col
onel Cornelius, Major Hallett and
Captain Nathan Olney, all of whom
have long since responded to final
tape. In that battle of Union Gap
was a man who was destined to make
his mark as a national character. His
name was Phil Sheridan, the dash
ing cavalry leader, who was the idol
of \; aft
Sheridan, intrepid leader in the war
of the rebellion.
1t was in war only that Mr. Alex
ander made a record and left stamp
ed upon this country the impress OF
his ability. He was a man among
men and a leader also in the paths
of peace. In early days he knew the
hardships of frontier life, and from
his duties never shrank. For years
he was a messenger in the service of
the United States government, rid
| ing from post to post carrying the
mails and performing such other du-
ties as came to his lot He was at all
times a leader, man of remarkable
strength Of character.
In addition to his other qualifica-
tons that made him companionable
| and that will cause his memory to be
revered is the fact that notwithsta nd
ing his necessarily rough life in his
younger days, he was a thorough
Christian gentleman. He was con-
verified in 1863 and immersed, after
ward joining the Baptist church, the
faith of his mother. Although his
sufferings for months were intense, he
repeatedly spoke to his relatives up
on the subject. informing them that
his faith grew stronger and brighter
as the end approached.
Mr. Alexander leaves behind him
the record of well spent life, rich
heritage 10 his immediate relatives
and friends.