Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-12-20
ONCE RICH But DIED A PAUPfR.



Grant, Once A Large woolgrower
Of Fergus County.
Mr.. b. L. Stack OF Stanford has
kindly forwarded us a copy OF the
San Francisco Examiner Of Deem
Der 18th, containing an account OF
the death OF James ID. Grant, which
occurred at San Francisco oil the
Sth inst.
Grant was formerly a partner OF
Mr.. William Cowan In the wool
growing business on Armells creek,
the firm disposing of their interests
to William Fergus & Sons about
1898. Mr.. Cowsn went north and
has since been In business near Malta.
Mr.. Grant whose share OF the pro-
ceeds, together with what he had
accumulated, amounted to about
$4,000, went to Salt Lake and later
tn California. He has not been
heard of in many years. Always II
very careful man In habits and ex-
penditures. the story Of his later life
and death seems doubly sad.
1t appears from the Examiner that
Grant had lived in San Francisco
for about five years, during which he
had been a heavy drinker, saloon
man who was interviewed saying
that he did not believe he had been
sober for thirty consecutive days in
the past five years. He spent money
lavishly, frequently expanding 500
In a champagne treat for the house.
Tho reticent rs to his income he
seemed to be able to command fire.
quent remittaDces from the Aims
worth bank In Portland. This sum-
mer his funds had become exhausted
and he lived on the bounty OF his
friends.
November 18th he was picked up
by the police and sent to the city
prison, the intention OF the authori-
ties being to have him removed to
the aims house on the following
Monday. Through the carelessness
of the desk sergeant at the prison,
Grant was overlooked on Monday
and there having been no charge
entered on the register against him,
he was practically lost in the prison
for two weeks. On December 9Th a
trusty in the jul reported thata man
was sick in Cell No g., aud il was
with difficulty that it was ascer-
tanned who the unfortunate man
was, his case having been entirely
forgotten. Grant was at once sent
to the Receiving Hospital and shortly
after died.
The matter Of his being left In the
jail when he should have been sent
to the aims house is causing much
comment among the superior peace
officers and will be investigated.
The Examiner makes it the subject
OF an editorial.
Little appears to be known In San
Francisco OF the deceased, but from
one Con Kelly, a special policeman,
who knew Grant well. the Exami-
ner reporter learned that he had
come from Montana and had told
Kelly that he had been In the sheep
business but had to leave that state
on account of some trouble he had
with Indians. When he left he said
he owned large fiocks Of sheep with
his partner, Hon. James Fergus OF
TT. Maginnis. Montana. Grant had
asked Kelly to write to Mr.. Fergus
and he had promised to do SO.
Doubtless this story had been told
by Grant when in his cups, for while
he had formerly worked for Mr.. Fer
gus he had not been a partner and
that relating to trouble with Indians
is believed to be without foundation.
1t is but another story of IA good
man carried down into disgrace and
to ignominous death by the use OF
liquor.