William Siegrist Called By Death

Prominent Lapwai Citizen Succumbed to Heart Disease Yesterday Morning While Employed at Mill - Been Active Force in Community Affairs.

Lapwai, June 14. - (Special to the Tribune.) - Suffering an attack of heart disease while at work oiling machinery on the third floor of his flour mill here today, William Siegrist was found dead by his son in law, Roy Wooley, about 10 o'clock this morning, who had missed Mr. Siegrist from his accustomed places about the mill and made a tour to ascertain whether or not anything had happened.

For some time Mr. Siegrist had been suffering from trouble with his heart. He had a premonition, according to intimate friends here, that he would suddenly pass away, and this came true this morning.

The news of the estimable man's death caused great sorrow in Lapwai and in all sections in which he was known. He was one of the foremost citizens of north central Idaho, and his worth is best told by the scores with whom he worked in all things tending for the good of Lapwai and the community in general.

Born in Calumet county, Wis., January 15, 1860, Mr. Siegrist was within one day of being 61 years and five months old when he died. Coming west in 1882 he located at Pomeroy, Wash., residing in that section of the country until 1905, when he came to Lapwai, residing here until his death. A great believer in the development of Idaho, he started the Siegrist Milling company here some years ago and carried on a thriving business. His interests centered about other affairs also, and nothing of a nature that would tend to better his chosen section of his adopted state ever passed by unheeded.

In 1891 Mr. Siegrist was united in marriage to Martha Bramlette, from which union two children were born. Mrs. Siegrist and both children survive, the children being Mrs. Wooley, of Lapwai, and Sanford Siegrist.

Aside from his milling interests Mr. Siegrist always found time to devote himself to public affairs. He served as mayor of Lapwai for four years, and recently when his term expired he gave notice to his supporters that he could not consent to again become a candidate. He faithfully served on the village board and supported every movement for the improvement of Lapwai and its immediate vicinity. Since 1912 he had been chairman of the school board having in charge the affairs of the joint district, and before the combination of the school district and the high school district he served the former as chairman. He was republican precinct committeeman for Lapwai and very active in all affairs of his party.

Mr. Siegrist was a devoted member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, his connection with the Pythians coming about at Pomeroy many years ago. His membership in the Elks was taken out with Lewiston lodge No. 896, and he was a member of Omar Alkayami temple No. 124, Lewiston, in the D. O. K. K.

Sanford Siegrist, the son, teaches school at Freewater, Oregon, and received notice early yesterday of his father's illness. Until he reached Lewiston with his wife shortly after 6 o'clock last night did he know that his parent had expired. Mr. and Mrs. Siegrist were accompanied from Dayton by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bramlette, the former a brother of Mrs. Siegrist. Mrs. Siegrist has another brother, John Bramlette, a resident of this place.