MORNING OREGONIAN – PORTLAND, OREGON

DECEMBER 8, 1910

INDIAN FIGHTER PASSES

Lewis Esben Harris Dies at Dayton, Aged 80 Years

Dayton, Wash., Dec. 7 – (Special)

Lewis Esben Harris, pioneer miner, Indian fighter and business man, widely known throughout the Northwest, died here yesterday aged 80.  His dying wish that his body be cremated will be carried out.  The remains were shipped this evening to Portland, where Masonic rites will precede cremation.

Born in Sandusky, O., in 1830, Mrs. Harris at 15 years of age moved to Goshen, Ind.  His father believed a boy who could not work his way through college did not deserve an education.  He did this, receiving his degree at Indiana University.  He assisted his father in the lumber and a sawmill business until 1849.

Sailing from New York, he passed around the Horn and landed in San Francisco in 1850.  With a rifle and ammunition strapped to his back he set out for the mines, fighting Indians occasionally, and in 1860 located at Elk City, Idaho.  He accumulated several fortunes.  He was Deputy Sheriff at Lewiston for several years, and remained in business there until 1876, when he came to Dayton.  He was in the retail liquor business here until two years ago.  He was United States collector of Chinese tax at Lewiston.  He helped institute the Masonic lodge at Lewiston and at Dayton.

Besides a wife he left two daughters – Mrs. M.V. Morris, of Portland, and Mrs. M. Middlemiss, of San Francisco.

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