The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1921-10-20
I. P. RAGAN DEAD.
Prominent Prairie Pioneer Sue
cumbs to Heart Failure at
Home in Lewiston.

nome III L0WlSLOu.
In the passing of "Press" Rag
an, pioneer and eX-county com.
missioner of Lewis county, hon
cradle, successful and good
friend to everybody, our country
loses Ia man. The news of his
death and fair tribute to his
character are given in the fol
lowing article from the Lewiston
Tribune of Tuesday:
While lying in bed alongside of
his daughter Ruth, II years OF
age, in order that he might min
lister to her wants during illness,
Isacc Press Ragan, one of the
best-known men in north-central
Idaho, suffered fatal attack of
heart failure at about 10; ;25
O'Clock last Monday night at the
family residence, 1917 Ninth ave-
nue., and died few minutes af-
terward.
The end came in tragic form.
Mr.. Ragan had for some time
been a sufferer from aortic re-
gurgitation of the heart, common
ly known as a heart leakage.
When he was seized with a spell
of this affliction, which only
came upon him at infrequent
times, it was always customary
for members Of the family, or
others to shake him, and in this
way the effect of the trouble was
offset. When the little one heard a
throat sound from her father it
was an intuition with her to pick
him up around the shoulders as
best she could, to shake him, and
when doing this the little one cal
led to Mrs. Ragan, who was in an
adjoining room. Mrs. Ragan saw
at once that her husband was eX-
tremely i'll, and at once telephon-
en- for DR.. j. N. Alley, for many
years physician to the family.
DIR. Alley arrived within about
five minutes, but Mr.. Ragan had
expired.
The opinion prevails that an
automobile trip made to Pomeroy
yesterday by Mr.. Ragan superin-
duced his weakness of the heart
to the extent that caused death
The road between here and Pome-
roy is very rough, and the round
trip made by Mr.. Ragan Monday
was too much for him, accord
ing to the opinion of others. Up
on returning from Pomeroy
where he had gone on business,
Mr.. Ragan arrived home about 7
o clock in the evening, and after
partaking of the evening meal
stated that he was tired and
would lie down with his daugh-
ter. He did not complain of feel
ing i'll. The disease with which
Mr.. Ragan was afflicted invar-
iably results in sudden death,
MS physician stated.
Up to the time of going to Pom
eroy Mr. Ragan felt in good
health and fine spirits. Satur-
lay he was downtown attending
o business and reported himself
IS feeling in good health.
Perhaps no man in this section
,f Idaho was more widely and
favorably known than "Press"
Ragan. Possessing a personality
hat endeared him to everyone
with whom he came in contact
/ man of great honor and integ-
'ity; a loving father and a man
whose life was an exemplary one,
Mr. Ragan surrounded himself
With hundreds of intimates, and
he news Of his untimely end will
,ause a great shock throughout |
his community.
Up to the time Of removing
lere four years ago last Satur-
lay to reside. Mr. Ragan and
lis family spent many years on
he farm on Central Ridge, on
which he located when the Nez
'erce reservation was opened for
Prior to taking upI
lis Central ridge property he re-
ided in the Kendrick section. A
lative Of the town of Mercer,
Iercer county, Missouri, having
'een born So years ago. Mr..
Iagan and Preston Smith, an
ncle, now residing at 1412 +
treet. came west about 80 years
go, locating first in Montana,
where Mr.. Ragan remained but
few years. The deceased was
n extensive owner of farm land
y many sections of north-central
daho. Aside from looking after
is land interests since the fam
" removed to Lewiston, Mr..
Sagan was for a few years en-
aged in the automobile business
n West Main street, later remov-
ng to Gil Main street, where the .
liberty theatre now stands, Mr..
Iagan being vice-president of