The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-04
EVIDENCES OF ESTEEM,
One of the Largest Funeral Professions
Ever Seen in Anaconda Follows
j.. Il. O'Brien's Remains.

The funeral of J. L. O'Brien, whose
tragic death occurred Tuesday morning
at the upper works, was held yesterday,
and the procession of friends that fol-
lowed the remains to the cemetery was
probably the largest ever seen in this
city. The double funeral of Ephriam
Thomas and wife and that of Robert
Fenner, which occurred few years ago,
were large, but it is believed by many
that the cortege yesterday contained
more vehicles than any other that ever
passed through the streets of this city.
Long before the hour set for the meet
ing at the late residence of Mr.. O'Brien
the roads leading to the residence plat
of the upper works We're lined with car
riages and persons on foot. From the
house the procession started at 2.3o
o'clock and it's course was up CONNER
cial avenue to Main, north on Main to
Park avenue and south on that avenue
TO the Catholic church. At the head of
the procession marched the volunteer
fire department, of which Mr. 0'Brien
had been an honored member; following
in uniform, walked the upper works fire
department; then came the lower works
department, directly preceding the
hearse. For some time before the cor
tege reached the church the edifica was
crowded, and while the solemn services
We're being held within the crowd out
side became SO large that the sidewalks
around the church were not broad
enough to admit many who stood in the
muddy streets. The carriages moved
towards the church and in a short time
the streets Were biockaded. The APP
proaches and steps of the church were
black with people who stood In a silent
mass striving to catch an occasional
word that came from the chancel AS
the great organ pealed forth its funereal
strains in announcement Of the exit of
the mourners the crowd outside sepa-
rated, and as the casket proceeded to-
wards the hearse every head in the
crowd was bowed in reverence. When
the young grief stricken wife stepped to
the sidewalk, her father supporting her
trembling form. there was an audible
sigh of profound sympathy from the
crowd. The mother. supported by her
son, followed. The church bell tolied as
the casket was placed in the hearse. and
the fire bell Joined to make a solemn
chime as the long procession wended its
way to the Catholic cemetery east of
town.
The casket was almost hidden from
view by many beautiful floral offerings
The pieces included magnificent fire.
mans hat of flowers, sent by the vol
unteer fire department: harp Of roses
and other choice flowers, an offering
from brother employees of Mr. 0Brien:
an anchor and wreath from the upper
and lower works fire departments be-
sides numerous pieces from other
friends of the dead man. Four mpfn-
beers of the city paid department. ac-
eompanied By Chief Flannery of the
Butte department. rode In 4 carriage
to the cemetery.
The pail bearers were W. J. Walsh
and Phil sullivan OF the upper works
department, Charles Rnylan and Dan
Harrington Of the lower works depart
ment. Ed, McGoyern and Martin Nc
Grath Of the volunteers.
The following resolutions We're adopt
ed By the Anaconda volunteer fire de-
partment at special meeting.
Whereas. 1t has pleased the Su-
preme Chief 81 this Universe 10 remove
from our midst our late brother fire.
man. ]. z. O'Brien, and
Whereas, The friendly relations
long held BY members Of this depart