OBIT: William Moore PATTERSON, 1880, native of Blair County, PA

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IN MEMORIAM.

  Died February 25, 1880, at Spearfish, Dacotah Territory, of 
hereditary consumption, William Moore Patterson, aged 32 years, 4 
months and 17 days.
  The subject of the above notice was born and raised at this place.  
Although very young, he enlisted in the late war as a member of Company 
B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until the end of the war.  
To use the language of the Black Hills Daily Times, "He was genial, 
witty and generous, never asking favors, but always ready to extend 
them."
  He was over six feet tall, straight as an arrow, brave, honorable, 
and in disposition kind and gentle-hearted as a child.  In 1868 he went 
to Fort Hays Kansas, and accepted a position with our former townsman, 
Mr. Hill P. Wilson.  His conduct while there was of such a character 
that he endeared himself to every one, and we well know that the Wilson 
family mourn his loss as sincerely as if he was one of their number.  
In 1878 he concluded to try his fortunes in the Black Hills, and with 
two companions located a claim which they were offered $50,000 for but 
refused.  About a year ago that terrible disease laid hold of him and 
resulted as stated above.  The letters written to his mother since his 
illness are full of love and kindness to all of his friends, and also 
speak so well of the good people who took care of him amid the wilds of 
the far distant territory.
  The kindest wishes of his friends are hereby tendered Charles 
Diedrich, P. F. Keenan, James Rosebraugh and others of the numerous 
friends of his, at Deadwood, Spearfish and vicinity, for their kind 
solicitude in his last hours.  Although he had such good friends, his 
death was peculiarly sad - dying far from home and kindred - with not a 
single relative near.
    Far from his home amid native rills,
    He sleeps in death 'mid grim Dacotah's hills'
    Sleep where thou art 'till the last trump amain,
    Shall arouse thee to thine own magnificence again.
                 Williamsburg, Pa., March 8, 1880.    M.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, March 9, 1880