Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-04-19
A PROMINENT CITIZEN GONE.
N. M. Erickson Falls a Victim to Pneumonia
at st. Paul.

Nicholas NJ. Erickson departed this
life at the Merchants hotel in st. Paul
Thursday, April 10th, after ten days
illness with typhoid pneumonia.
Mr.. Erickson had left Lewistown
March 18th, just one month previous,
to purchase his spring stock of goods,
intending to return within three weeks.
Sunday, April LIST, he left Chicago for
home but was stricken with pneu-
monia at st. Paul, thedesease at once
threatening his life. Tuesday his con-
dition was such that his wife was tele-
graphed for and it is since learned that
only the utmost efforts saved his life
on that day. Mrs. Erickson arrived
in st. Paul the Friday following and
Saturday wrote that her husband
was very sick, but that if the ninth
day of the deesease could be safely
passed there was hope of recovery.
This ninth day, the twelfth of the
month, proved fatal and about 1890
a. m. the Power Mercantile Co. re-
ceived a telegram from Mrs. Erickson
reading: "My husband isdead. Notify
C. b. Shipman at once" The store
was Immediately closed until after the
funeral and Grape placed on the doors.
The Montana Hardware Co. also
draped their door. 1t was learned
later that the body was removed to
Chicago Thursday night and Friday
inferred.
In the absence of all Immediate rela-
tives it is difficult to obtain informa-
ton as to the life of the deceased.
although from friends we have been
enabled to CLEAN a few particulars.
Mr.. Erickson was born thirty-six
years ago and occupied a position as
telegraph operatorin the Palmer house
at Chicago when he met Senator L. c.
Power in about 1880. Mr.. Power
proffered the young man employment
and tor two or three } ears he acted in
various capacities at Indian trading
posts on the Missouri river. In 1888
he was located at White Sulphur
Springs when Mr.. Power sent him to
Lewistown to buy the trading store
of Francis J%aneaux. Since that date
he has built up one of the best paying
general stores in the state and has Sc
cured for his employer great profits
and for himself u large interest in the
I- 800 -. A., D~.,-.
Mercantile Co. was formed, Mr.. Erick-
son obtaining a heavy percentage OF
stock in the corporation. Beside the
Power Mercantile Co. he was a d.
rector in the Bank Of Fergus County,
treasurer OF the Electric Light Co. and
vice president of the Montana Hard
ware Co., being a large individual
owner in each. He also owned con-
siderable Lewistown real estate and it
is stated, by onei in a position to know,
to have been worth about $4,000.
Having control of large interests re-
quiring strict business methods he
may at times have appeared severe,
but he had many excellent traits of
which won for him the ad-
miration and esteem of many. He
was always kind and considerable to
his employees and where they were de-
serving showed many favors. Mr..
Erickson leaves a wife and three small
children, of which the oldest is five
years. His parents are both dead,
while one brother is located at st.
and one at Chicago. His loss
be severely felt by a large number
and it is hoped man will succeed him
who will prove as good a citizen as
the deceased. As both Senator Power
and John Power were east, it is
thought, though not known, that one
Dr. both were with him at his death.
:. b. Shipman will meet his daughter,
Mrs. Erickson, at the railroad when
The returns.