gar37

WALTERS, BENNETT GIDEON
Age 46
b. Abt. 1851 - Virginia
d. 12/28/1897 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

Unknown Military Information. Assume he was a GAR member
with Lincoln Post No. 2 Star next to headstone.

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Find-a-Grave: Bennett G. Walters
Block E Lot 117 Grave 5

HIS HEAD SHATTERED

Suicide of Bennet Gideon Walters, a Despondent Clerk

HE WAS DEFEATED FOR OFFICE

He Wanted to Be Walking Delegate of the Clerks’ Assembly, and
When He Failed of Election He Concluded That Luck Was Dead
Against Him, and That the Only Thing Left Him Was Suicide

Despondent from protracted idleness and disgusted with life on general principles Bennett Gideon Walters ended all of his worldly troubles by shattering his head with a bullet from a heavy revolver about 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning at this residence, No. 509 West Galena street.

Walters was formerly manager of the Boston dry goods store and was quite well known, particularly in labor circles. He had been out of employment since last August and had made so many failures in his efforts to find work that he had become gloomy and despondent to such a degree that he had talked of suicide to his friends. As a last resort he attempted to have himself elected walking delegate of the Clerk’s assembly which held its election on Tuesday night and he built his hopes so strongly on securing the office that his failure to get it was the last straw that broke his nerve down and caused him to decide on self-destruction as the only course that was left to him. He was confident of being elected and was probably promised support that he did not receive for only 13 out of 129 votes were cast for him, his opponent, Boyd Dickinson, receiving 116. He was greatly disappointed over his defeat and left the hall without speaking to any person except one of his friends named Wallace. He went straight home and retired, after telling his wife of his defeat, and expressing great regret that his hopes had not been realized.

His wife arose about 10 o’clock yesterday morning and went out to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Before she left the room her husband told her that he did not feel well and did not think he would eat anything. While Mrs. Walters was at work in the kitchen she was alarmed by a pistol shot and on hastening to the bedroom she was horrified to find her husband lying on the bed with blood streaming from a bullet wound in his head and a smoking revolver clutched in the grip of death in his right hand. Death had been practically instantaneous and while there were convulsive gasps for breath and twitching of the body after his wife reached his side there was no sign of consciousness. Dr. Wells, who lives next door to the suicide, was summoned but was unable to render any assistance.

The bullet entered about an inch and a quarter above and a little in front of the right ear and passed directly through the head, coming out on the opposite side a little higher than the point of entrance. The gun had evidently been held so tightly against the head that the concussion was exerted on the inside and the frightful injury which resulted was something entirely new in cases of that kind. The frontal, parietal and temporal bones were all broken loose from their sutures and the right frontal bone was depressed nearly an inch. The real cause of the loosening of the bones cannot be ascertained without a post mortem but the doctors believe that the severe concussion caused an expansion of the cranium, thereby loosening each bone from its sutures. The wound bled profusely and the bedding and mattress were thickly saturated with blood. The revolver from which the fatal shot was fired was a Colt’s 41 on which he had loaned one of his acquaintances a dollar some time ago. It was kept in the drawer of the dresser from which Walters must have taken it soon after his wife left their room.

Coroner Tremblay was notified of the case and ordered the removal of the body to Richards’ undertaking rooms where an inquest was held yesterday afternoon. Only a few witnesses were examined and they related the story of the suicide as it is given above. The coroner and jury went out to the residence to take the testimony of Mrs. Walters but she was unable to tell anything more than was already known. M. J. Geiger testified that while Walters was out riding with him about a week ago he talked very despondently and said that he would kill himself if he was not elected walking delegate of the Clerk’s assembly. A verdict of death from suicide while suffering from mental depression was returned.

Walters was 45 years old and leaves a widow but no children. He came to Butte three or four years ago from Missoula and had been employed in several different dry goods and clothing stores. He was always active in labor matters and took a leading part of the enforcement of the anti-Chinese boycott, and it is said that for these reasons he lost many of his friends among the business men. He was at one time secretary of the Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and was a member in good standing of the A. O. U. W. lodge in Missoula. His full name was Bennett Gideon Walters but he usually signed himself G. B. Walters.

The deceased’s father, B. G. Walters, lives at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and he had two brothers, Wayne Walters, whose address is No. 301 South Clark street, Chicago, and B. H. Walters, who lives at No. 6555 Lexington avenue, Woodlawn, Chicago. News of his death was telegraphed to his brothers but not to his father as the had been on unfriendly terms for a long time. At the request of his widow the A. O. U. W. will take charge of Walter’s funeral.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
12/30/1897

WARREN, CHARLES S. (General)
Age 74
b. 11/20/1846 - Starved Rock (Now Utica), Lasalle County, Illinois
d. 413/1921 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana


CO. C. 147th ILLINOIS INFANTRY & CO. A. 132th ILLINOIS INFANTRY

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Find-a-Grave: Charles S. Warren
Block E Lot 117 Grave 5

Spouse
Mary A. "Mittie" Avery Warren
1854 - 1930
(Married 11/18/1872)

Charles S Warren picture
(from Emily Masar on Ancestry)

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
4/14/1921

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
5/25/1919

Gen. Charles S. Warren,
Resident of Montana More Than Half Century, Succumbs to Cancer of the Throat

HELPED FRAME TREASURE STATE’S CONSTITUTION

Located Lexington Miner; Was First Police Magistrate;
National committeeman and Member of State Assembly.

Death at 1:30 o’clock Wednesday afternoon terminated the picturesque, stalwart and honored career of General Charles S. Warren, pioneer statesman, civil war veteran and early-day mining man of Montana. Death came to him in the state he had loved, the state he had lived in 55 years and in the more than half century of his residence in Montana, he never ceased making friends and never stopped climbing in the esteem and affection of the thousands who knew him and revered him since the day in 1866 when he landed at Virginia City as the driver of a team of bulls, bringing an overland contingent from St. Joseph, MO.

General Warren was the locator of the Lexington mine, among several others in the Butte district, but his mining activities were not limited to Montana as he joined almost every stampede of early days from British Columbia, where he once owned important interests, to Mexico.

A big share of the vast debt which Montana owes to her great pioneer citizens should, if payment were possible, be apportioned to General Warren. In all the years he lived in Montana he was active in the public interest from the time he was elected Sheriff of Silver Bow county and finished his term “flat broke,” as he declared, until the past winter when illness interrupted his service as member of the legislative delegation from Silver Bow county.

He was always a staunch republican, but one of those who placed the best interests of his state and community ahead of everything else, and he was never found lagging behind when the services of real men were needed to weather an emergency. In 1888 he was republican national committeeman, and those of his party credited him with materially aiding in the election of President Harrison.

Montana’s history has no more picturesque character than that of Charles S. Warren. He experienced all the thrill of frontier life, the hardships of the pioneer, the ups and downs of the early day miner and prospector and after years of vicissitudes the prosperity of meritorious endeavor. His life has been as varied as that of almost any other pioneer Montanan. He was the first police magistrate of Butte, one of the first sheriffs of Deer Lodge county, a member of the republican national committee from 1884 to 1888, and a member of the constitutional convention which drafted the primary law of Montana.

In business his activities had been principally limited to mining and real estate, being in various capacities connected with mining in the Treasure state ever since his arrival in Montana in 1866.

When the civil war broke in 1861, General Warren, then a farmer boy, enlisted in the union army. He saw a full four years of service receiving two honorable discharges in the war of the rebellion and at its conclusion he headed west. General Warren navigated the plains in a prairie schooner, driving two bulls to Virginia City, Mont., from St. Joseph Mo. As a driver he received $25 a month and at his arrival in the Montana mining camp was paid off in greenbacks, which at that time were worth only half their face value.

Probably his first mining venture was that at French Gulch, where he placer mined for four years with varying success.

In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Deer Lodge county, as a republican, but he did not employ his office as a money-making opportunity, and as a result when his term ended he had to borrow $15 to get him to Butte. Here he located a number of mines, among which was the Lexington, which, it is said, he sold to Judge Davis for $50, and which the judge afterward sold for a million and a half.

General Warren was the mustering officer and served in the Nez Perce Indian war in 1877 as adjutant of the Montana battalion.

While always more or less directly engaged in public service, for several years General Warren had retired to private life until last fall, when he announced his candidacy for the state legislature and was elected with a handsome majority.

For a great many years the general was engaged in the real estate and mining business with former United States Senator Lee Mantle, and while his business ventures, like his mining fortunes, were often attended by ill luck, he succeeded in accumulating a respectable fortune and in the later years of his life enjoyed the prosperity which his intrepid efforts made deserving.

General Warren was a past master of the Butte A. F. and A. M., a thirty-second degree mason and a Shriner. He was a charter member of Fidelity lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Butte B. P. O. Elks, as well as of Damon lodge No. 2, Knights of Pythias. He was in point of rank the oldest past department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic for the department of Montana and a member of the board of managers of the State Soldiers’ home. He served on several gubernatorial staffs with rank from major to brigadier general and was adjutant of the Montana battalion in the Nez Perce Indian war. He was president of the Society of Montana pioneers in 1907-08, and was a life member of the Silver Bow club, which he helped to organize.

Mrs. Warren was Miss Mittie Avery. Mr. and Mrs. Warren were married Nov. 15, 1872, near Silver Bow, then Deer Lodge county, by Rev. W. H. Stoy, and Episcopal clergyman, they being the first couple to be married west of the Rocky mountains in Montana by an Episcopal clergyman.

There are two children, Wesley Wirt of Sacramento, Calif., and Mary Warren, wife of John M. Murphey of Butte.

General Warren, as he was know all over the west, was an incorporator of the Inter Mountain Publishing company, the Commanche Mining Company, the Charles S. Warren Realty and Mining company and several other corporations.

Like all the early day invaders of Montana mountain fastnesses, General Warren devoted most of his time in the earliest years to mining.

Among lodes which he at one time or another was interested in, some of which he had complete control and others only partial, were the following:

Montana, Senora, Josephine, St. Louis, Bland, Pay Streak, Henrietta, Limitation, High Chief, Donegal, Hopewell, Unknown, Sooner, Mastodon, Snowflake, Wooden, Amazon, Carlisle, Arctic, Anna, Zeus, Arrimosa, Hub, Blackfoot, Sunberry, Railroad, Hesperus, Creola, Grand Junction, Silver Joe, Sarsfield, Zarelda, New Moon, Pikes Peak, Carte Blanche, Anderson, Welcome Strange, Protection, Annie, Arlington, Thesus and Mary Ann.

In a recent newspaper article General Warren told of his personal history as follows:

“I landed in Virginia City on the 20^th day of August, 1866. From there I went to Helena, packing my blankets. I saw the prize fight between Conroy and Hugh O’Neill on the 24^th of August, 1866, at Helena. From there I went over to Deer Lodge, before there was a single roof on a house in town. They were building a roof on what was called later the Scott house. It rained that night. I went in and spread my blankets on the floor; one-half was dry. I got up in the morning and he charged me a dollar and a half for my lodging. The next day I went to French gulch; there was no Anaconda then. That was about the 28^th or 29^th of August. I stayed there until we cleaned our sluices on the 20^th day of November, 1866. I remember that day because it was my birthday. They had a dickens of a snowstorm in October. I came over to Silver Bow and spent the winter there. At that time Silver Bow was the metropolis of Deer Lodge county. I came to Butte either the 24^th or 26^th of November, 1866. I walked up from Silver Bow and back the same day. At that time there was little or no interest in quartz mines. Later on there were some rock sharps, we placer miners called them, and they located some claims. I think it was in 1870 when I first saw the Original discovery. Caleb E. Irvine was telling me about the early discovery of quartz in this camp. He said that at the Original the discoverers had had no tools and so had used elk horns to gouge out the ore. Being something of a liar myself, I went up there to see the horns. There were half a dozen or so of them there all right.

“In 1869 I was first appointed deputy sheriff. I had southern Deer Lodge county—you might say the upper end of Deer Lodge valley and all the southern end of the county, including Butte, Silver Bow, French Gulch, the Highlands and Red Mountain. Deer Lodge county at that time included everything from the Big Hole river to the British possessions, west of the Rocky Mountains. I was deputy under Wesley W. Jones, and in his second term I was appointed under-sheriff and then became sheriff of Deer Lodge county, first by appointment in 1873 and then elected in 1873 and was in office until December, 1875. In 1874, when I was sheriff, there were some fellows here waiting until Jan. 1 to locate some claims under the new law. After these locations were made, in 1875, the camp began to attract attention.

For a brief time 27 years ago, oil bid fair to wean the affections of General Warren from mining. He and some of his friends explored the Small Horn canyon in the Dillon section. In the upper end of the canyon they discovered what they thought were traces of oil. A rig was purchased and drilling started. At a depth of 300 feet gas began to escape from the hole and Warren and his associates left for Dillon to celebrate. When the celebration was over they returned to their property and again began to drill. Warren said later, We broke with the damn drill.” “No more of that for me” was the attitude which Warren assumed after his first oil experience.

To attempt to narrate all of the interesting events which transpired in the life of General Warren would require almost unlimited space, for each and every one of his hundreds of personal friends have anecdotes and interesting narratives to tell about him. He was a prince of good fellows, a story teller without a peer, a big fisted, big hearted “four-square” man, and a typical product of the old west.

General Warren’s funeral will take place Saturday afternoon under the auspices of the Masonic lodge. Details of the funeral have not been announced. Most of the arrangements have been left to Former Senator Lee Mantle, pending the arrival of his son, W. W. Warren from San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Warren will arrive in Butte Friday.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
4/14/1921

WELLS, EDSON SAMPSON (Sgt.)
Age 72
b. 4/19/1841 - Elmira, Chemung County, New York
d. 6/24/1913 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

CO. K. 23rd ILLINOIS INFANTRY

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Find-a-Grave: Edson Sampson Wells
Bloc A2 Lot 6 Grave 6

Spouse
Laurena F. Finley Wells
1852 - 1939
(Married 1873)

Engineer First Ore Train
From Butte Hill Dead

BUTTE, June 26.—Edson S. Wells, aged 72 is dead. Wells was engineer of the first train pulled into Butte on the narrow gauge road of the Utah & Northern and the engineer of the first trainload of ore by rail from Anaconda hill. He was a famous old soldier and the last survivor of the renowned four rescuers of Colonel Mulligan, for which congress awarded each of the four soldiers a medal of honor. Wells fought on the federal side in the civil war, engaging in 33 pitched battles, being captured and imprisoned in Andersonville.

The Billings Weekly Gazette
Billings, Montana
6/27/1913

"DADDY" WELLS SLEEPS IN LAST RESTING PLACE

The last sad rites over the late Edson S. Wells, more familiarly known as "Daddy" Wells, who died Tuesday night in his apartments in the Pennsylvania block, were conducted yesterday at the Pennsylvania block, the Rev. E. J. Groeneveld officiating.

Many friends were present to pay their last respects to the man who piloted the first locomotive into Butte.

"Daddy" also engineered the locomotive that hauled the first load of ore from the Anaconda hill. Prior to his coming to Butte "Daddy" had achieved fame in the ranks of the Union army in the civil war. He engaged in 33 pitched battle and was one of the four rescuers of Colonel Mulligan, for which act he received a congressional medal of honor.

He was 72 year old and had been employed as engineer at the Owsley heating plant for the past 22 years.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
6/27/1913

DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

The following resolutions on the death of the late Edwin S. Wells were adopted by the Butte Newsboys’ club yesterday:

“Whereas, There has been removed from our midst one of our most worthy and esteemed citizens, and

“Whereas, In the death of the late Edson S. Wells, the city of Butte and the state of Montana mourn the loss of a respected citizen of pioneer days; one who in the prime of life served his country on the battlefields, and in life possessed a splendid character and sound principles, and who was to the newsboys a true friend; be it

“Resolved, That we, the members of the Newsboys’ cub, extend to the bereaved widow, who has ever been to us a true and earnest worker, our heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolence in this, her sad hour of grief, and be it further

“Resolved, That a copy of these resolution be sent to her, a copy be spread on the minutes of the club and a copy be given to the press for publication.

“JAMES LEE, Mayor,
“TOM MULLANEY,
“TUS SULLIVAN,
“Committee.”

Mrs. Wells, wife of the deceased, is an active and ardent supporter of the Newsboys’ auxiliary.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
7/6/1913

GRAND ARMY RITES

With simple rites of the Grand Army of the Republic, which had charge of the funeral, the body of Edson Wells was yesterday buried in Mount Moriah cemetery. The services were held at the rooms in the Pennsylvania block by the Rev. E. J. Groeneveld, and at the grave the Grand Army burial rites were read.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
6/27/1913

WHARTON, JESSE RANKIN
Age 65
b. 11/4/1857 - Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina
d. 3/19/1923 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Find-a-Grave: Jesse Rankin Wharton
Block A Lot 74 Grave 5

Spouse
Dorcas Elizabeth Noyes Wharton
1859 - 1928

TRIBUTES TO J. R. WHARTON

The following tributes to the memory of J. R. Wharton have been submitted to the Miner with request that they be published:

Gone is the friend we loved so dear
   Gone is a voice we loved to hear;
In a last long sleep he lies in repose,
   But his spirit still lingers like the
       Scent of a beautiful rose.

From afar he beckons to cease our tears,
He smilingly reaches his hand to those who fear;
His loving command still lingers behind,
To live each day as did our Savior devine.

In the long hush of twilight that soon will be o’er,
We will meet Jess Wharton on that beautiful shore,
Where parting or pain is unknown
Where that great judge of souls
Sits high on a throne.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
3/25/1923

LIFE OF SERVICE TO WELFARE OF CITY
AND ITS CHILDREN CLOSES
AFTER LONG ILLNESS

After a valiant fight of 27 days against illness, J. R. Wharton, manager of the Butte street railway system and one of Butte’s most notable citizens, peacefully succumbed at 4:30 o’clock Monday afternoon to the ravages of a malady of rheumatic nature that for the past few years had slowly but surely been sapping his vitality, though at the age of 65 years he continued to take an active and energetic part in the civic affairs of the community.

He had been confined to the hospital since February 20, at which time he was taken there upon the orders of his physician. For several weeks previous to that time he had been suffering from la grippe and had gone to Gregson Springs in the hope that the healing waters of that place would in a measure restore his health.

Mr. Wharton’s body has been removed to the Sherman & Reed funeral establishment. Due to the condition of his wife’s health it has not been decided whether it will be laid in state at the Wharton home at the Gardens. No arrangements have been made for the funeral as yet but with the arrival of Mr. Wharton’s son, John C. Wharton, who is expected in Butte early this morning from the Big Hole ranch, final arrangements will be decided upon.

John Wharton has been in Butte during practically all of the time his father has been ill, but because of apparent improvement shown Sunday morning, he left for the Big Hole valley to care for some business affairs.

Mrs. Carrie Wild, daughter of Mr. Wharton, was the last relative to see him alive. She was at his bedside late yesterday afternoon and left for her home only after a sinking spell that Mr. Wharton experienced earlier in the day had seemingly abated. Before she left, the wind blowing through an open window caused the curtain to rattle slightly. Her father raised himself in bed and asked, What was that?” “It’s a Chinook wind father,” replied the daughter. “I see,” answered Mr. Wharton, and with a smile reminiscent of the times that had forecast the Montana weather with which he was so familiar, he sank back on his pillow and closed his eyes.

(Continued below)

Endeared to All Classes

Mr. Wharton’s career in Butte has been a long and varied one, and during it all he had endeared himself to the hearts of the citizens of Butte, irrespective of class or creed, in a manner attained by few men in any community.

The esteem in which he was held is best attested by the hundreds of telephone calls that came into the Miner's office immediately after rumor of his death was circulated through the city.

His long and faithful service as manager of the street railway company during 33 years of some of the most trying and some of the most prosperous years Butte has ever know gained for him a state-wide reputation as a man and as a public leader.

Friend of Children

No one will miss Mr. Wharton more than the kiddies of Butte. To them he was indeed a daddy and a daddy that can never be replaced. He occupied a place in their hearts and they in turn occupied a large place in his.

Mr. Wharton’s life was intimately interwoven with the magnificent Columbia Gardens and that children’s paradise will stand as a monument to his untiring work.

Without exception any and all of the different organizations that exist in Butte can tell of the good deeds of J. R. Wharton. In the early days the Salvation Army depended almost entirely upon the grace of Mr. Wharton. It was J. R. Wharton that was always ready to aid them. It was J. R. Wharton who secured for them the privilege of street meetings.

Later when the Salvation Army was firmly established as a permanent organization in Butte, Mr. Wharton turned his attention to the newsboys of the city. He organized them into a club. He cared for them. He shared their troubles, their sorrows and their joys. He educated many of them, and scattered throughout the entire United States are prosperous men who remember Mr. Wharton as the good genius of their lives.

With the disbanding of the Newsboys’ club Mr. Wharton turned his attention to other organizations dealing with boy life. He became associated with the Boy Scouts and the Y. M. C. A., and through it all he continued to direct the building and beautifying of the Columbia Gardens.

Never was Mr. Wharton too busy to give a thought to the children of the city. Between them and the gardens Mr. Wharton divided his life. His favorite conversation was either or both. Lately he entered into the project of erecting a suitable ball grounds for the city and Clark park on the flat became the realization of the ideal.

Native of North Carolina

Jesse Rankin Wharton was born at Greensboro, N. C., November 4, 1857. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish, who settled in North Carolina about 1720.

Mr. Wharton attended the Greensboro academy in his native state, and his boyhood was passed in the era of depression that marked reconstruction days following the civil war. At the age of 15 he went to work in a book store, continuing until 1875, when he secured a position in the National Bank of Greensboro. He was serving as teller in 1882, when he resigned to come to Montana. His first work in Butte was a teller in the bank of Donnell, Clark & Larabee, and he continued in the bank of W. A. Clark & Brother until 1888. He served as manager of the Silver Bow Water company from 1888 to 1890, as manager of the Butte Electric and Silver Bow Electric companies from 1890 to 1892, and from the latter date as manager of the Butte Electric Railway company.

Mr. Wharton was married March 9, 1886, to Miss Dorcas Elizabeth Noyes of Butte, who survives him, with their daughter Caroline, wife of Edgar Wild, and their son, John Calvin Wharton, who is on a ranch in the Big Hole valley.

He was a member of Butte lodge, No. 22, A. F. & A. M., the Silver Bow club, Butte Country club, Rocky Mountain club of New York, Rotary club and Liberal Culture club. He served for many years as president of the Butte Newsboys’ club, and was the first president of the Butte Y. M. C. A., being made president emeritus when he gave up the active presidency of the association. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian church.

All of the clubs to which Mr. Wharton belonged will pay final homage to their departed colleague. The flag on the top of the Silver Bow club building is at half-mast and it expresses the sentiment of those who will miss the cheery smile and warm heart of the man who has so often graced the homes and institutions of Butte with his presence.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
5/12/1923

JESSE R. WHARTON

Butte lost yesterday, in the death of Jesse R. Wharton, one of its most esteemed citizens and one who for 40 years had taken an active part in the life of the community. As the directing head of the street railway company for many years Mr. Wharton’s business was to serve the public, and, operating at time under unusually trying circumstances, he made extraordinary success in that capacity. But it was outside of his relations with the transportation problems of Butte that he was most familiar with the development of the city and its people, for it was Mr. Wharton, under Senator Clark’s direction, who founded Columbia gardens and who may be rightly called the father of the playgrounds and the founder of much of the amusement and pleasure that Butte, young and old, has enjoyed outdoors. There are hundreds in Butte now grown to manhood whose first acquaintance with things green and growing with football parks, baseball grounds and all forms of holiday amusement was the result of Mr. Wharton’s efforts.

In business life he was the soul of integrity loyalty and devotion. His entire life was committed to the tasks he set for himself; for him it was at once a profession and a recreation. No movement designed for the moral as well as the general welfare of the people of Butte failed to enlist Jesse Wharton’s active cooperation and enthusiasm. He lived in the harness and died practically at his post of duty. Thousands will miss his kindly face and will mourn the loss of a good citizen, faithful public servant and a loyal friend.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
3/20/1923

RESOLUTIONS

Scared to the memory of Jesse R. Wharton, an honorary member of our post, who departed from this life March 19, 1923, we place this form on a page sacred to his memory.

We extend to his widow and children our tenderest sympathy.

Others of our prominent business men have been appreciated and many have been admired by all, but him we loved more than we can tell.

No eulogy can express our feelings or add glory to his name—one might as well try to brighten the sun.

Let his memory linger within our souls, warming us to kinder deeds.

With reverence we will write his name and leave it in naked purity to shine through passing decades.

Goodbye, Jess R. Wharton, goodbye.

Lincoln Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic.

F. M. BARRETT
Commander
H. H. MAKINSON, Acting Adjt.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
4/6/1923

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR
J. R. WHARTON

Many Are Unable to Gain Admittance to
First Presbyterian Church

For three hours yesterday afternoon thousands of friends of Jess R. Wharton reverently passed by the body as it lay in state in the First Presbyterian church. From 11 until 2 o’clock a steady procession passed in and out of the church. Young and old alike were in the throng, paying final tribute to the man who had been such a prominent figure in Butte’s civil and industrial life.

Simple services were held at the Wharton home at Columbia Gardens in the morning, attended only by Mrs. Wharton, members of the family and other relatives. At 11 o’clock the body was taken to the church, where the final services were held at 2 o’clock. The church was filled and a large gathering stood on both sides of Broadway while the services were in progress.

The funeral service was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. E. J. Groeneveld, a friend for many years. Solos were sung by Mrs. Paul Bailer, choir director, accompanied by Miss Ann Miller.

As the casket was borne from the church and placed in the hearse the crowd uncovered. Power was shut off from the street car lines and every car in the city remained stationary for three minutes while the procession got under way. As many street car men as were off duty attended the services or stood outside the church.

Flags in the city were at half mast. The Clark bank and the Clark Industries in the city closed down during the hours of the funeral.

A long line of automobiles followed the hearse to Mount Moriah cemetery. Although the family had requested that flowers be omitted, there were a number of striking tributes from Mr. Wharton’s associates.

The active pallbearers were: George Forsythe, George Short, William J. Sullivan, A. H. Heilbronner, Tom J. Davis and Ed J. Hash. The honorary pallbearers were: Eugene Carroll, J. K. Heslet, Dr. Donald Campbell, Levi S. Wild, Harry Gallwey, A. J. Davis and Charles W. Goodale.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
3/22/1923

RESOLUTION
ON WHARTON’S DEATH

The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, John F. Reynolds circle, No. 14, appointed a committee, consisting of Mrs. Nellie Bright Small, chairman; Miss Cora D. Jenkins, Miss Cora Williams and Mrs. Elizabeth Logan, to draft resolutions on the death of Jesse Rankin Wharton. The resolutions are as follows:

“Whereas, Our Heavenly Father has seen fit in His all wisdom to take unto Himself for all eternity our beloved comrade, Jesse Rankin Wharton; and,

“Whereas, The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, John F. Reynolds circle, No. 14, feel that we have been called to personally and collectively suffer a loss that is shared by the entire community, desire to hereby express our loving sympathy for the bereaved family, and respect and affection for the lovable nature and generous spirit of our noble comrade; therefore, be it

“Resolved, That a copy of this testimony of condolence and tender regard be sent to the beloved comrade’s family, and that copies be sent our local press, and spread upon the official records of our circle.”

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
4/2/1923

TREE IS MEMORIAL TO LIFE OF SERVICE

Tribute Is Paid to Jesse R. Wharton by Children at Columbia Gardens

Approximately six thousand children halted in the midst of their Arbor day celebration at the Columbia Gardens Saturday afternoon, to pay tribute to J. R. Wharton, former superintendent of the Butte Electric railway, when T. J. Davis addressing the throng dedicated a tree in his honor, assisted by Elizabeth, Pauline and Jessie Wharton Wilde, grandchildren of Mr. Wharton. The tree was planted in the gardens by Victor Siegel. Mr. Davis, in opening his address said: “We have come here today to dedicate a tree to the life of a great and good man, one whose life was spent in doing things for others, a man who loved boys and girls and who expressed his love for them by deeds, rather than by mere words.” Mr. Davis compared Mr. Wharton with the little girl, who some time ago, in a blizzard which raged in North Dakota, gave her life for two other children, by shielding them from the cold, showing in comparison the love and unselfishness Mr. Wharton held in his heart for the children.

Building That Endures

“In this great city of ours,” said Mr. Davis, “men have accomplished great things. They have built great industrial enterprises—they have erected great monuments of brick and mortar, they have made fortunes of material wealth. We admire and respect their ability, but Mr. Wharton did more than all of that. He built the characters of boys and girls which counts more in life than all material things together. Mr. Wharton had a great leader in his life. One who 2,000 years ago said, ‘suffer little children to come unto Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven’ and in following this great leader, Mr. Wharton carried that idea in life. He gave of himself, his time and money, in order that you young people would have a happy and useful life. He taught you many things. He was your friend.” In concluding, Mr. Davis said, “We have come to dedicate this tree to the life of a great man, a man whose life has been spent in doing things for others, a man who loved boys and girls and who express his love for them by deeds—not in words only. A man whose life typified all that is good and noble, who died, loved by all and whose name was Mr. J. R. Wharton.”

Pledge of Lives

“To you, Mr. Wharton, peace be unto you and to your unselfishness; we, the boys and girls of Silver Bow county, dedicate this tree and consecrate this ground and pledge our lives to measure up to our greatest possibilities. This is our token of love and respect to you, and of our grief for your family.”

The children paid silent tribute to the memory of their beloved friend after listening with true respect to Mr. David throughout his entire address.

Victor Siegel of the Columbia Gardens, one of Mr. Wharton’s most intimate friends, planted the memorial tree. Mrs. Scott Fries of the Rocky Mountain Garden club; Mrs. J. B. Lowry, Woman’s club; Mrs. John Breem, Atlas club; Mrs. L. R. Margetts, Arts and Crafts club; Mrs. Emily Welcome, Homer club; and Mrs. Ralph Place, West Side Shakespeare club were in attendance representing their various organization. It was the first Arbor day celebration of the children missed by Mr. Wharton since its inauguration some 17 years ago. Special numbers were sung by the children from Sherman school and all youngsters joined in rendering “America.” Miss Theresa O’Donnell acted as chairman of the music committee.

When the first carloads of children reached the Gardens a decided chilly atmosphere was in vogue. The kiddies soon warmed up to the occasion and while the majority did not make their stay long, their 1923 Arbor day visit will be a long-remembered one. The scenic railway, merry-go-round and ferris wheel were well patronized by young and old throughout the entire proceedings. The sun made a bold attempt to warm up the air around 2 o’clock but soon hid itself behind a cloud and allowed a cold breeze to take possession of the field.

Mrs. G. N. Thompson looked after the grounds’ program. E. J. Nash supervised the outing and judging from his big broad smile and by the cheerfulness of all the children, it was on the whole a perfect day of fun. Most of the youngsters returned in time to see the Shrine parade, which started on its route through the city at 7 p.m.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
5/15/1923