The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-12-20
The Death of Captain
Thomas HoatSon
Yester day.
One of the Old Landmark >.
intendent for the Calumet and
Heels Company.

Yesterday morning al lO'4O, the splr
OF anot her OF the pioneers OF Lake Supe
Tor having faithfully done it's duty her
assembled to a higher sphere to entt
upon Its duties there.
Captain Thomas Hoatson's health ha
for many years caused him to leave thes
hyperborean regions during the winter
and take up his residence IN the south
where he had residence at St Angus
tine. Upon his return from that plac
last spring he was so weak that his lin
was then despaired OF, but his natura
strong constitution overcame the at
~,r..cugh bis health during tht
year had been far from "~a' ~ "P' "0''
TO be uD and about until within the pa.
few weeks, when his relatives and i'm
mediate friends knew that he only had a
short time for this earth aud that he
might pass away at any moment. On
Wednesday last he had very severe
attack, but from which be recov cred.
Yesterday morning, however, another
attack came upon him from which he
neTer rallied and his spirit passed quietly
away while surrounded by his SORROW
ing relatives.
The writer had known the deceased
eyer since he assumed the pos ton OF
underground superintendent at the Calu-
met aud Hecla mine and as their duties,
during a part OF that time. brought them
in close contact. they became very init
mate and consequently the writer is able
TO bear witness to the deceased's honor
able, manly and upright conduct not
only with those moving on the same
plane as himself but, which is of more
consequence az showing the kindly dispo
sition of the mao, with the hundreds o.
those working under him all of whom
apparently placed the greatest cont.
dence IN the deceased's desire to do right
and the proper thing toward them. Dur
ing the many years the writer, and he
thinks he knows the spirit oil the people
generally, was acquainted with the de-
ceased he never heard one word uttered
against his actions 10 connection with
his conduct toward the men under him
and that is saying great deal.
The Calumet and Hecla mining com
pany have every reason to be thankful
TO the deceased for having had such a
kiEdly disposition for, if the writer is not |
greatly mistaken, the opening Of the |
South Hecla, was due to this kindly dis |
position OF the captain, who, when he |
found upon the intro uction OF drills and |
high explosives, the mining force would |
have TO be greatly reduced, rather than
discharge so many men at once he set |
them TO work opening the South Hecln |
which afterward proved ofsuch great ben.
eft TO the stockholders as it enabled the |
mine TO keep up its product during the
time the niue proper was closed on &C.
count OF the fire there.
Toe deceased will be greatly missed in
the family circle and that is where q |
good man mostly shines, for he was a
most affectionate and indulgent husband
and father, notwithstanding at times bis
quick temper. The writer believes that
it is the kind little expressions in life that
make Lille happy, for If there is one thing
more pleasant than another, any thing
that cheers in the dark days it is the ap-
probation OF ones friends. but whether
the captain can hear the re marks that
are on all hands now being made about
him the writer can only hope, but any,
way they should always prove a gar
land sweet on the memory OF those sor-
rowing relatives and friends he has left |
behind.
"Odr lives are written through with good or
or Ill, with false or true
Ana When the blessed angels turn the pages
OF our years, Pe''
g grant they read the good with smiles
and blot the bad win tears"
Through the entire community ono
hears expressions concerning the great. |
ness oil the deceased's character. One
official who has been 10 almost daily an.
ISOLATION with him for many years says.
"His was, in the highest sense, a regal
nature, regal in his authority, regal in
his generosity, and yet tender as a
maiden in the presence OF suffering or
sorrow" Another one O his associates
says. "He was a born king, he lived a
king, and died king" Another tribute |
Of all who knew him is to the answering |
rectitude aud purity Of bis personal char
acter. ln his own family will grief he felt |
most poinpantly, but throughout the
copper mining world will be felt the loss
d great and good man.
The deceas was born at Wanlock-
Iead, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. on the 18th
4 March, 1924, where he gained bis first
mining experience 10 the lead mines and
nd was employed there until 1852
yhen he emigrated with his family to
anada, taking employment at the
ruce copper mines, where he remained
ntil 1865, when he removed to the