The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-03-26
THE PASSING OF THE PIONEER

During the past winter we spent a
month in Spokane, the longest period
at any one time that we have been able
to spend in that dear old city for
twenty five years. Our days were
largely devoted to excursions about
that beautiful metropolis, lingering
at one time familiar spots dreaming
again dreams of the past, and feeling
thrills of delight to have lived long
enough to see Spokane grow to what
we predicted it would eventually at
tain in size, Importance and popula-
ton as far back as 80 years ago.
From the sights and scenes was de-
rived pleasureable sensation, but the
brightest memory of that visit rests
in meeting with old timers, whom we
knew when Spokane was IN the chry-
sails stage, and so far as worldly pos
sessions were concerned all were very
nearly on the same footing. 1t was a
profound pleasure to again clasp
hands and exchange Fluctuations with
such time-honored friends as Jim
Glover, Dan Drumheller, Jim Mona
CHAN, j. H. Boyd, G. B. Dennis, Dr.
Candy, Nell Grimmer, Sam GLASGOW,
Fred McBroom d. l.. Wetzell, Bob
Farley, Will Norman, Bill Gray, Doc
Pitwood, Sam Hyde, Col. Nash, Hal
Cole, John Sengfelder, Nose Open
heimer, Billy Seehorn, w. G. Jones,
Charlie Armstrong, and a host of 9TH
ers whose names escape us at the
moment of writing. Yet there was an
alloy to this happy reunion, for there
were many of the old timers missing
those who had played their part upon
this earthly stage and had passed on
to their just reward. That list is Il
long one, and is steadily being aug
mented, for the pioneer is rapidly 60
ing out with the tide.
Within short two months since
our visit to Spokane no less than four
pioneers have gone to join the silent
majority. First it was Bob Farley,
then Wendall Hall, then A. H. Porter,
and last week, one of the youngest
among the early settlers, Nose OPP
penheimer answered the last call.
Nose Oppenheimer drifted into Spo-
kane Falls in the early SOS and for a
time held a position in the Loenberg
dry goods store, situated on the
ground floor of two-story brick
block, one of the first substantial i'm
provements in Spokane Falls, that
was looked upon as the initial step
toward attaining metropolitan dignity,
and over which the local paper con-
sumed columns of description and
prophesy. The ground is now cover
ed by the imposing Coeur d'Alene
hotel. Mr.. Oppenheimer was very
much of hustler, a capable young
man with an eye to the future grasp
ing every opportunity for advance
ment. He embarked in the insurance
business, and sticking to the old town
eventually prospered He was a sport
enthusiast, and a public spirited citi-
zen. He was an active member of the
old volunteer fire department, when
business and professional men made
UP the roster of membership. He was
member of the first ball team, and
il after life took much interest in that
sport when the city was represented
by professionals. We have seen little
of the deceased for many years, but
when he was in his youth he was a
man of excellent habits, of high and
upright character, a genial companion,
warm hearted, of sunny disposition,
and all in all one whom it was well
worth while numbering as a friend.
Those sterling qualities must have re-
mained with him in more mature life,
for when we have met him at long in
tervals since those early days Nose
Oppenheimer seemed to be the same
old chap, more dignified perhaps, yet
none the less likeable. The world will
&C on just the same now that he is no
more, but there are many of us who
will keep Nose Oppenheimer fresh in
memory until the hour we are sum-
moned to join him on the shores OF
eternity.