The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-25
FRANK f. MIX, AGED PIONEER
PASSED PEACEFULLY AWAY

four O'Clock, at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Jerome j. Day. Sur
rounded by his sons and daughters,
who had been in constant and de-
voted attendance for many days past,
Mr.. Mix drifted almost insensibly to-
ward dawn from quiet sleep into
death. The end came peacefully and
easily as he had always wished it TO
come. He was conscious tothe last and
talked to those at his bedside from
time to time until after midnight.
Until he had passed his eightieth
| birthday last August Mr.. Mix was one
| of the most vigorous and strlkIngly
/ handsome specimens of manhood that
could be imagined. He enjoyed perfect
health throughout his long life and
was always extremely active and
strong. The infirmity which destroy
ed his health did not leave percept
ible effect for some months, but during
the past few weeks, friends and rela
tives alike realized that little hope of
his continuing here long could be en-
tertained He realized fully the
gravity of his own condition and was
tranquil and content over the pros
pect of leaving this life. He was the
respected and adored father of
devoted themselves with singleness of
purpose and with great tenderness to
providing his advanced years with
every comfort and luxury that could
contribute to his happiness.
Born at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on
August %, 1888, Mr.. Mix lived a full
and eventful life in number of diff
ferent states. On March "a, 1859, he
H.
they had eleven children, all but two
of whom are now living. Mrs. Mix
died in 1904.
Mr.. Mix was well acquainted with
the Jesse James and the Younger
desperadoes. He actually saw the
killing of Web Younger, father of
Cole Younger, the incident that was
the beginning of so many romantic
and thrilling pages of adventure in
American middle west history.
Mr.. Mix enlisted early in the Civil
war and was mustered out after hard
service in 1864. He participated in
many engagements and did distin-
guished service in scouting. He en-
listed in the Missouri state militia
cavalry, and was chosen captain by
a unique procedure When 100 men
serve their country gathered to form
a company, they decided to choose
their chief officer by having each of
the three most popular men ride off
in different directions. The rest of
the 100 were to follow on horseback
the man of their choice. In short
time, it appeared that the line be-
hind Mr.. Mix was composed of the en-
tire party, and the two other candi-
1ates were glad to join his long line.
He was a popular and efficient Of /
ficer.
He was attached to the brigade of
Fighting General Joe Hooker, and he
was constantly used as a scout in the
most hazardous undertakings. Of the
L60 neighbors who went to their
,ountry's service, only 38 came out of
he terrible years alive.
Mr.. Mix was farmer and stock
nan both in Kansas and in Nebraska.
On the 10th of May 1883 with his
$1,000 in money, he started bravely
,ut to the frontier. He intended to
ocate in Seattle when he left Nebras-
la. He travelled by rail to Salt Lake,
hence to Butte At Butte he secured
cams and drove to Spokane and on
% Moscow. He went to Juliaetta but
emained there only few days, when !
lie came back and located definitely |
n Moscow. He had faith in the Pa :
ouse country at that time and justi-
led it by forty years of continuous
iving here.
Mr.. Mix was skilled cabinet and
urniture maker, and he went into
rt h,re 1,,i1 n i,.1,
hen stood on the present site of the !
star Mirror building Later he '
ought the homestead north of town, :
lpon which G. P. Mix now lives. At
hat time the only fence between the 9
enter of Moscow and the new home r
tead was the little one that fenced
door-yard for the Mix family. All +
he rest was open country. Mr.. Mix +
ngaged successfully in the nursery +
usiness for number of years. e
He served as assessor of Nez Perce c
ounty when Latah was included in its
oundaries. When, later, he was a
heriff of Latah county he achieved C
n enviable record. His books, which "
18th those of other officers, were tt
objected to an examination at the s.
lose of his term, were found to be f
ondition. His accounts were found Il
} be above reproach and at the time o
he examination was made, the county
vas in debt to him several hundreds d
dollars, instead of the balance be- G.
lg the other way as was all too COM tt
ION in the easy-going days of pioneer p
fe. AS sheriff Mr.. Mix enforced the bi
w He was brave, honest, and fear n
ss and he took the deepest kind of W
ride in the fact that then as well as M
Il through his life the word of Frank tt
Tx was as good as his note or bond. fe
Since his wife's death Mr.. Mix has tt
ade his home almost continuously al
ith his daughter, Mrs. Jerome j. OF
ay. in
He had wonderful memory, and of
CONTINUED on page four.) d.