(The Pagosa Springs Sun "about 1923 -1924") Joseph Isam, the oldest living person in Archuleta county, passed peacefully away at one o'clock this afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred Mackmin, one and one half miles north of Pagosa Springs, after a long illness induced by kidney and bladder trouble, combined with general debility due to his advance age. The funeral services will be held at 1:00 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the Hatcher Chaper. Rev. J. Q. Vermillion will officiate. Mr. Isam was born in Georgetwon, South Carolina, on February 16 1827, and was almost ninety six and a half years old. He fought with the confederate army through-out the Civil war, and had always led an active life, many years of which were spent at sea. Un1909 he made his home in South Carolina and Georgia, when he moved to Colorado, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Eva Mackmin, at Las Animas. There the family resided until six years ago when they came to Pagosa Springs, which has since been their home. Mr. Isam's age did not prevent him from milking cows and doing many other daily chores abut the ranch. He was an ardent fisherman and hunter, and was generally the first each year to obtain his license to engage in these pursuits. He was a skilled marksman and rode horseback considerabley, tho walking was his favorite mode of travel. Other remarkable features were that he could read without glasses and still used his own teeth. In addition to Mrs. Mackmin, he is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Twilly of Sparta, Ga. and ten grandchildren, three of whom reside in this county. I has only been during the past month that he was confined to his bed, and seriously ill only during the past five days, though he had not been quite as well this summer as in former years. He had always hoped and firmly believed that he would live to reach the century mark, and only lacked three and a half years doing so. With a pleasant greeting for everyone, he became a familiar figure to all, for his sprightly walk, keen mind, boyish activities and apparent utter lack of infirmities betrayed his advance age. He loved the outdoor life and his slogan was "Don't worry." Not only the family but a host of friend and acquaintances are going to miss this venerable citizen.

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