, 1889-02-14
ALEXANDER KEMP.
A Well-Known Montana Pioneer Dies In
Missouri.

A Well-Known Montana Pioneer Dies In
Missouri.
Alexander Kemp. who was extensively
known throughout the North west. died 4
few days ago at st. Joseph, Mo. Concern.
ing him the Gazette of that city says:
When the late war came ON Mr.. Kemp
held a large amount of real estate. At that
time he was security on notes of the Harris
estate for $4,000. These he and his
brother were called upon to pay, and they
gave up every dollars worth of property
try his fortunes in the West and eft st..
Joseph in 1868 with kit of tools he had
made during his leasure hours, and with $97
10 money In his pocket. He stopped at
Denver that summer and fall. About
January, 1864, he went to Virginia City,
Montana. There he 40 thoroughly i'm
pressed the people with his sterling quail
ties that at the county election that spring
the good people of that county ran him for
sheriff. The rouRhs and touRhs ran Jack
Plummer, who had recently gone there
from Georgia. Plummer was thoroughly
educated and of excellent family, and in
person and manners was o perfect Adon-
mis-. Mr.. Kemp was really elected and
would have taken possession OF the Office
had he not been called to st. Joseph on ac-
count of the illness Of his wife, who was
dying Of consumption. He was man Of
great personal courage, and this sad mis-
sion alone prevented him from being
sheriff.
After the death of bis wife. Mr.. Kemp
returned TO Montana, and there laid the
foundation for new fortune in placer
mining. From Virginia City he went to
Helena, and there built u large manufac-
turing establishment for manufacturing
everything used in the territory, from an
omnibus down. He became largely iu-
terested in mining, and made large sums
of money Hc built and operated the first
quartz mill ever erected in the territory.
and soon after built second. He was
the most thoroughly scientific quartz man
in Montana. and was looked to as authori-
ty in all mining matters.
In the extensive mining enterprises of
that day, he was the acknowledged leader,
and to him more than any other on4 man
was the territory indebted for the devel-
opment of its mining interests.
In one year his manufacturing estab.
lishment and both quartz mills were de-
stroyed by fire, and ne WAS considerably
crippled financially. He then purchased
largo California wheat farm, and after.
wards sold il to his brother, Frank Kemp,
who still resides upon it.
In 1880 Mr.. Kemp returned to st. Jo-
| seph. and in the same year wss married To
Mrs. G. Gore, nee Miss Mollie Wilson.
| Since that time he has retired from bcsi-
| ness, and both he aud his wife have lived
at their ease. IL was their intention to
| spend this winter in Florida, and were
| planning the trio when he was taken ILL
During his twelve weeks illness Mr.. Kemp
Suffered intensely. but did not complain
He retained consciousness till the breath
left his body and the spirit took its flight
He had every attention that friends and
relatives could give. During his illness ht
Saw his waJ PLAINLY " making confession
of faith 10 Christ, and was perfectly recon
ciled to die.
He WAS man of extensive reading, wal
abreast Of the age in general information
| and was one of the best posted men on ths
current events of the world. He was es
pecially thorough on scientific objects H.
was u man Of refined tastes, of the strlctes
integrity on every point, truthful ~ al
tinies. and the sou, os honor.