The Ravalli Republican., 1898-02-23
DEATH OF, LEW WILLIAMS.
He Expires in SAP Francisco Last Sunday
Evening.

He Expires in San Francisco Last Sunday
Evening.
About 8 o'clock Monday morning a
telegram received here by Mrs. John
r. Williams from her husband in San
Francisco brought the exceedingly
sad news that his brother Lew had
died at O'Clock the previous evening
and would be buried on Tuesday. No
particulars Of the death were given.
Lew Il. Williams was we'll known
here and all over the county, and it
is safe to say that no young man ever
had more warm personal friends than
| lie. At the formation Of the county
in 1898 he came to Stevensville from
| Hamilton as deputy county clerk
for G. NJ. Johnson, and his work soon
proved that Mr.. johnson had made
no mistake in the selection. In the
settlement with Missoula county Mr..
Williams represented Rayalli, and SO
faithfully and ably did he guard all
her rights that this county had ample
justice done her in the division of
property and Indebtedness. In 1894
clerk, and without casting reflections
on the many able nGen who have
filled like offices in the several
counties Of the state, it is safe to say
that in him Rayalli had an officer
that it was hard to equal, Indeed,
State Examiner Dogart gave it as his
opinion that Mr.. Williams was the
best county clerk in the state. 1t is
certain that the county commits
sioners leared a good deal on Lew
Williams judgment in many i'm:
portant matters, and 1t is univer-
sally admitted that the healthy con-
dition of the county's affairs at the
expiration Of his term was in a great
measure due to his good head and
great executive ability.
In the upheayal Of 1896 Mr.. Will
liams was defeated for reelection by
a few votes. Shortly after this, his
health, which had given previous
symptoms of breaking down under
the work in which he spared it not,
gave completely out, and for a full
year now he had been unable to do
anything. He grew gradually worse
last spring, and many Of his warm
friends, with sad hearts, feared that
the dread summons would come. But
he rallied with the warm weather,
helped by his wonderful nerve, and
hopes were again entertained that he
might after all pull through. 1twas
recognized by his friends and him
self that he could not chance the
winter here, and in October last his
brother and himself went to Salt
Lake. The weather there not being
favorable, they next went to Phoenix,
Arizona, and from there, a few
weeks ago, to his old home in San
Francisco. The reports all along
showed that Lew was not gaining.
and his friends here began to feel
that the end was only a matter OF
time, and while the news of his death
was a shock, it was not wholly un-
expected.
Mr.. Williams was a member Of the
knights OF Pythias-a grand repre-
sentative for the last two years--the
Odd Fellows and the Workmen. In
the endowment rank Of the knights
of Pytllias lie carried Il $2,0 insur-
ance, payable to his brother John
His membership in the Workmen was
in Hamilton, and it isnot known who
his beneficiary in that order was
but it is thought it is his mother
who is in California and was at his
bedside lie would have been 3(
years Of age on the Goth of March.
Lew E. Williams was man among
men. He was the soul Of honor
true to his friends, and faithful tt
every trust. Many will these be tt
mourn him, and for many long day!
and years will they talk and think o
the manly fellow who has gone.