Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1900-03-12
PIONEER DEAD!
|, B. Putney Pioneer
Wholesale Merchant.
His Death Occurred at To-
peka, Kansas,
City MOurns the Loss Of One of Its
Best Men,
FUNERAL TOMORROW MORNING.

Lyman Beecher Putney died at To-
peka. Kansas. yesterday morning af-
ter an Illness OF few months, and In
consequence there is universal sorrow
throughout this city and the south
west.
For the past few days the end to
this long life OF general usefulness was
expected. and being anxious to gain
the latest bit of information from the
sick chamber OF his father. Robert Il.
Putney wired for facts to Or. J. ?.
Raster last Saturday The doctor
promptly answered and wired as fol-
lows:
Topeka. Kansas. March lO.-Father
failing rapidly; can hardly survive the
night"
The son knew by this brief message
that the dissolution of life was ap-
preaching, but he wanted TO see his
father once more alive and he tele-
graphed to DR.. Raster asking whether
he should make the trip TO Topeka.
and would his father be alive on his
arrival.
In response thereto came the follow
ing sad message from the bereavei wife
yesterday afternoon:
Topeka, Kansas. March ll.-Father
died this morning; leave for home at
noon Sunday with the body"
This IL indeed sad news to Albuqucr-
que for 1t removes from the business
circles OF the city one of the pioneers
OF mercantile llfe--a man where his
name is written his honor is given"
and one whose integrity, stralghtfor-
wardness and business principles are
by-woris throughout the southwest.
SHORT SKETCH or HIS LIFE.
Lyman Beecher Putney Eas born In
New York, In 1882 and was therefore
6s years old. He left his old New
York home when quite young to grow
with the west" and when he reached
Lawrence, Kansas, he had accumulat-
ed enough funds TO engage I'm business
there He was enjoying a thriving
trade when Quantrell and his guerrillas
raided the town and he lost every
thing,
In 1866 the firm Of Moore Bennett 4
Co. OF which the deceased was mem
| Der, was established at Lawrence, and
several years later the Santa Fc rail
! way company commenced building
| west and southwest. The firm follow
| ed the railroad. and first established a
store. with Lawrence as headquarters,
at Trinidad. thence at Ration, Las We
gas, Albuquerque and San Marcial,
| leaving branch store at each OF the
! places named. Finally, when the rail-
road had penetrated into the Rio
| Grande valley, all the branch stores
were withdrawn and the immense bus
mess OF the Arm was concentrated at
| this city.
| This was in 1879, and about year
| later Mr.. Putney purchased the inter
ests of his two partners, they retiring
shortly from the territory and he re-
naming to help build up the country
and at the same time continue TO In
crease his own business.
The old frame store buildlng-which
Ia indeed one Of the landmarks OF
Railroad avenue-was moved to Albu-
aueraue in sections from Las Vegas
after the firm had consolidated all their
business interests in New Mexico at
this city.
The deceased was married to NJ ss
Jennie Coleman (the devoted and faith
ful wife that survives hm) at Wau-
kesha, Wis, in 1866, and besides her h
leaves to mourn his death Robert r.
Putney, the only son and child. II Is
understood that brother resides
somewhere In the west, but the de
ceased had not heard from him FOL
many years.