Colonel R. D. Simonton, one of the best-known railroad men in the Lewiston Country, died this morning [December 30, 1915] at 2:20 o’clock at the family home, 9223 Twenty Fourth Street from hemorrhage of the brain with which he was stricken last May. Colonel Simonton had been in failing health since first stricken and for the past month his condition was critical. It was known for several days that the end was near.
Colonel Simonton would have been 74 years of age on January 24, 1916. He was employed by the Northern Pacific 27 years and was relieved from duty as watchman at the Spalding Bridge when the steel structure was completed a year ago. Colonel Simonton entered the employ of the company at Hope, later going to Pasco and for 16 years he served the company at Spalding. At the time Howard Elliott retired as president of the Northern Pacific to go to the New York, New Haven & Hartford. Colonel Simonton was one of the employees invited to leave his post and travel to St. Paul to be a guest at the farewell banquet given in honor of Mr. Elliott.
He is survived by his wife and four children, all the children residing in the east. The funeral will be conducted Friday morning at 10 o’clock from the late residence and the remains will be laid to rest in the Clarkston Cemetery.
The funeral of the late Colonel R. D. Simonton was conducted yesterday forenoon at 10 o’clock from the family residence in east Lewiston by the Rev. D. J. W. Somerville, of the Episcopal Church. The remains were laid to rest in the Clarkston Cemetery. The services were largely attended from Spokane. Many beautiful flowers were provided, some of the floral pieces being most elaborate. The pall-bearers were C. M. Evans and A. C. Dimke of Clarkston, Henry Hagerman, J. W. Willison and George Hayward of Lewiston, and H. K. Skibeness of Spokane.
CARD OF THANKS: The undersigned desire to express their most sincere appreciation to the kind neighbors and friends, the employees of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and especially to those who came from Spokane; also to the Clarkston Rebekah Lodge, for the many kindnesses during the long illness and death of our beloved husband and stepfather. Mrs. R. D. Simonton; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Avard
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman