The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19
IT WAS HEART FAILURE.
He Died Suddenly mt His Rooms Mt the
Butter House-Was Well Known
Western Mining Man.

Thomas Gibbons, a mining man who
had become very well known in Butte
and, in fact, all over the West, died
very suddenly about $50 o'clock yes
etrday morning in his rooms at the
Butler house, in West Broadway. The
death was so much of a surprise to the
mans friends that the coroner decided
to hold an inquest. The inquest was
held last evening. the jury returning a
verdict of death from heart failure.
Recently Gibbons moved with his fam
lily TO Deer Lodge, and last Wednesday
came back to Butte on a business trip.
taking rooms al the Butler. Friday he
complained of feeling badly and by
evening was so seriously i'll that DR..
Grigg was summoned to attend him.
The sick mans condition then began to
improve, but il was considered advis-
able to send for friends, and Joseph La
Foy, an intimate acquaintance, respond
ed and remained throughout the night.
Gibbons was sleeping quietly as day
broke and La Foy decided to go to
breakfast When he returned he found
his friend dead.
Death was so sudden that IL was
thought best to notify the coroner. who
concluded to hold an inquest. which was
accordingly arranged to be held at Sher-
mans undertaking rooms at o'clock
last evening.
Joseph A. La Foy testified that he
had known the deceased intimately
During the first few days preceding his
death Gibbons had complained of severe
pains in the region between the breast
and abdomen. With this exception, SO
far as the witness knew. Gibbons had
always enjoyed robust health. The last
time witness had seen the deceased was
Friday night, when at his (deceased's)
request. he had gone to his room in the
Butler block to remain over night. Dur
ing the night witness had gone out a
couple of times, the last time about u
o'clock. and upon his return he looked
at deceased, who appeared to be Sleep
ing. On the occasion of his last return
witness had noticed deceased to be per-
spring profusely. About daylight the
witness had looked at him more closely
and then discovered him to be dead. I'm
mediately after this witness had left and
gone for DR.. Grigg, who on former oc-
casions had attended the deceased. Wit
ness said that during the earlier even
ing the deceased, who was a sufferer
from insomnia, had told him he had
taken a double dose of sulfonat. Asked
whether deceased had been a drinking
man. witness replied that he was not.
DIR. Grigg had known the deceased be-
tween two and three years Deceased
had never complained to him of being
in poor health until about three months
ago. when he had made complaint of
severe pains in his breast, caused by
severe cold. Witness had prescribed for
him and had also treated him for itch
ing piles After that he had seen him
several times Yesterday morning wit
ness had been called to the Butler block
by Il man who said he was afraid Glib
bons was dead. In response to the sum
mons witness had gone there and found
him dead in bed. Witness here was
shown an envelope marked "Sulfonat
powders. 10 grains EACH" and was asked
whether he had prescribed the drug. He
said he had not and then gave it as his
opinion that the amount of the powders
designated on the envelope was not suf-
Hcient to cause death or even delirious
results. Witness had made only "a SUI
perficial examination of the body and
had not formed an opinion as to the
cause of death, but from what he had
learned he thought that heart failure
had been the cause. During the life of
the deceased he had examined him for
heart trouble and had found that organ
to be in normal condition.
j. s. Lancaster, also an old friend of
the deceased, testified that he had
known Gibbons intimately since 1882
The last time he had seen him was about
a month ago, when he had told him he
was going to Alaska; that some Eastern
parties were going to stake him. He
and witness had made arrangements to
go together ana nad planned to leave in
a few days from the date on which he
died. Witness said that the deceaseds
health at that time had been bad and
he (witness) had advised him not TO
undertake the contemplated trip, az he
did not appear to be strong enough to
stand the hardships of such journey
To witness own knowledge, for year
past, the health of the deceased had not
been good and he had had the appear
ance of suffering from some organic
weakness. This concluded the testimony
and the jury returned a verdict of
death from heart failure.
The deceased was about 45 years of
age. He leaves a widow and three chill
dren, and brother who lives in Utah,
all of whom We're notified by telegraph.
Gibbons had lived a great part of his
life in the West and was a familiar
figure in almost every mining camp He
was in the employ of the Montana Ore
Purchasing company in various capaci-
ties during recent years and was at one
time foreman of the Rarus mine
No arrangement has yet been made
for the funeral and will not be until the
brother arrives from Utah.