G. C. Ritchie Dead

He Passed Away at 6:30 O'clock Last Evening

Well Known Young Man

Blood Poisoning Developed from a Neglected Tooth - Funeral Will Be Held Sunday.

In all circles throughout the city today the news of the death of George C. Ritchie, which occurred at 6:30 o'clock last evening, will be received with expressions of sincere sorrow. While for several days it has been realized he was critically ill, the hosts of friends could not accept a belief that the strong, robust generous young man was to be called away. He began failing rapidly Thursday afternoon, and the grief-stricken family were told by the physicians that the patient was approaching the vale of the great beyond. During the night his condition remained unchanged and as morning broke he made a rally. It brought hope to the watchers at the bedside, but the physicians saw the shadow of death. He entered upon the last sleep and as evening came he passed away quietly and without pain.

The deceased was taken sick on September 5th as the result of a neglected wisdom tooth. The tooth had been removed two days before, but inflammation could not be prevented and later blood poisoning developed. For two weeks past it was known that the case was a serious one, and every effort was made to check the disease. Three physicians were summoned, the most careful nursing, and the kindness of anxious friends, proved unavailing, and the patient gradually weakened until the end came.

George C. Ritchie was born in Lake county, Cal., on February 2, 1873. He graduated at the San Francisco high school and later received college degrees in that state, following which he went to sea, visiting a number of the important ports of the world. In 1893 he came to Idaho from California and located in Lewiston, later engaging periodically in the stock and mining business. On October 24, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Elaine Kester of this city and the couple moved to Los Angeles, where Mr. Ritchie was engaged as secretary for a street railway company Upon moving to Portland, he accepted a position on the reportonial staff of the Evening Telegram, where he was employed for over a year and where he gained the reputation of being one of the most popular and efficient newspaper men of that city. Several months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie moved to Lewiston. At the time he was taken sick he was employed as assistant bookkeeper at the Cash Hardware store in this city.

An aunt and sister are residing in San Francisco, the latter being a teacher in the high school of that city, and his only brother, Archie A. Ritchie, is a Portland newspaper man. His widow survives him in this city.

The deceased was a young man of the highest integrity, whose generous heart, and cheerful, affable manner attracted to him friends wherever he was known, and his sad, untimely death will be sincerely mourned.