The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-25

partment received the following:
Manila, June 24.-Major James w.
brennan, LIST Montana, died at o'clock
this morning at Manila of Bright's dis
ease. He was i'll three months.
(Signed) "OTIs."
Special Dispatch to the Standard
Bozeman, June 24-When the death
of Major J. w. brennan, one of the
most respected men who ever resided in
the Gallatin valley, was announced this
| morning there was universal express
sions of regret. Major Drennans career
in the army and in private life was one
to be envied by anyone. Those who re-
member him while he acted as COM
missary sergeant at Fort Ellis say his
department was the best kept one in the
history of the post and the commissary
general of the army accounted him the
best commissary sergeant in the army.
The old soldiers here who remember
him while in the army say he was the
favorite both of the officers and men
and one in whom all could trust. He
had been in the army, at intervals,
since he was about Is years old. In 1890
he was elected county clerk on the dem
ocratic ticket by an overwhelming ma
jority and after one term retired to his
ranch. The flags on the public build
ings were placed at half mast. His old
comrades all mourn his loss as per-
sonal one and are grieved over the
death of honest James brennan.
The many Butte friends of Maj. J.
w. brennan, commanding a battalion
of the Montana regiment in the Phil
ippines, were shocked and panied to
hear yesterday of his death. The news
came by bulletin to the Standard, and
when posted was the occasion of
very general feeling of regret among
all who knew the gallant officer for
Major brennan was well known here
and was highly respected end esteem
ed by all.
In Major Drennan's death the Mon
tana regiment loses one of its best Of
ficers and the state it's most efficient
military man. Major Drennan's expe-
rience extended over many years, and
he had learned the business of soldier
ing from the private up and knew all
its phases in war and in peace. Major
brennan began his military career in
the civil war, when he enlisted as
private in the SSth New York volun-
teer infantry in June, 1862. He served
with his regiment till the close of the
war, and year later Joined the reg
ular army, becoming a private in the
22d United States infantry in July,
1885, He was later made sergeant,
serving as such till the term of his
enlistment expired in July, 1862 He
Immediately re-enlsted, but in another
regiment, the 9th infantry, with which
he served first as private, and later
as a sergeant, until July, 1871 He
was then made commissary sergeant
and served in that capacity till 1884
This terminated his service in the reg
ular establishment. During his long
service he saw a great deal of fighting,
first in the civil war and later against
the Indians. While in the 9th infan-
try he served under Miles in his In
dian campaigns, and later as commits
sary sergeant in the goth cavalry He
was under Merritt and was on the prai-
ries throughout the Indian wars of
1876 and subsequent years.
AT the expiration of his service in
the standing army Major brennan re-
manned in Montana, and in 1889 join
ed the state militia, becoming a pri-
yate in Troop B at Bozeman. Four
days after joining the troop he was
electee first lieutenant and served
in that office till May 9, $780, when he
was commissioned captain of the troop.
On June 20 of the same year he was
transferred to the infantry regiment
and became a major When Governor
Smith was elected he appointed Major
brennan adjutant general of the guard
and he held that office when the war
with Spain broke out. He then applied
for his old command, major of a bat
talon, and received the commission
he held at the time of his death. Ac-
cording TO all reports from the Phil
ippines his course has been conspicu-
Gus for efficiency during the war with
the natives.
Major brennan was an intimate
friend of Colonel Lloyd and Captain
Branagan of this city, both of whom
served with him, and they account
him very excellent soldier Colonel
Lloyd said he was probably the best
posted military man in Montana.
Governor Smith, who was in the city
when the news came, said: IT am ex-
cessively panied to hear of Major
Drennan's death. He was a fine SOL
der and an elegant gentleman. His
loss will be greatly felt by the regi-
ment"
Major brennan was a brother-in-
law of Can't. j. F. Keown of c COM
pany, list Montana volunteers, having
married Captain Keown's sister They
had no children. 1t.f