R. W. Pickering Dead

Well Known Lewiston Citizen Was Victim of Heart Trouble - Returned From California Last Week.

Rufus W. Pickering, one of Lewiston's best known citizens and retired merchant, died yesterday morning at 7:15 o'clock at St. Joseph's hospital, following an illness extending over the past four years. Mr. Pickering has been suffering with a chronic heart affliction and his death was a result of that disease.

Up until five years ago, Mr. Pickering was engaged in the retail grocery business at Ninth street, but when his health became poor he sold the business to his son, L. W. Pickering, who has conducted it since. In an effort to improve the condition of his health Mr. Pickering has spent the past five winters in California and he only arrived home from Los Angeles a week ago.

Since his return, Mr. Pickering has and he was taken a few days ago to St. Joseph's hospital for treatment.

Mr. Pickering was a member of the Presbyterian church at Grant City, Missouri, where he formerly resided. Mr. Pickering had a great many friends in Lewiston and was among its finest business men and citizens and his loss to the community will be gravely felt. He is survived by an only son, L. W. Pickering. His wife died in Lewiston about nine years ago and his body will be laid to rest in the family lot in the Normal Hill cemetery.

Rufus W. Pickering was born in Spiceland, Indiana, Jan. 20, 1849, and he was married to Alice Dinford [Binford], at Thornton, Indiana, December 24, 1873. He moved in 1883 to Grant City, Mo., where he resided until Nov. 13, 1905, when he moved to Lewiston. During his residence here Mr. Pickering has been in business most of the time and he formed many close friendships.