Lewiston Pioneer Dies in Seattle

Michael Lydon Came to Pierce City, Idaho, for Gold in 1863

Born in County Cork

Established Permanent Residence in Lewiston in 1868, but Still Sought Gold.

Lewiston, Idaho, Feb. 5 - The remains of Michael Lydon, who died suddenly at the home of his son in Seattle Friday morning, arrived here last night and the funeral of the aged north Idaho pioneer took place from the Catholic church this afternoon. The services were the most largely attended of any funeral in Lewiston in recent years, friends from all parts of the district being in attendance.

Mr. Lydon, who was 78 years of age, was born in the County Cork, Ireland, but came to America, landing in Boston, in 1854. He remained there but a few months and then drifted west to the California gold fields, where he moved from one new discovery to another. Tiring of chasing the rainbow he finally decided to locate permanently in Idaho and in the summer of 1863 he passed through Lewiston with his wife and family on the way to Pierce City, where he mined and prospected for several years. In 1868 he removed his family to Lewiston, where he located them permanently, but he soon got the gold fever again and returned to Pierce, prospecting in the summer months and returning to Lewiston in the winter, a practice he continued for a number of years.