The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-02-11
"CLAYT" WARNER DEAD.
Chief of Police Finally ~Surrenders to
Silent Messenger. ~
From Sundays Daily Gazette,

Although it had been known FOR 8
long time hat his health was failing
and lately that the doctors had given
up all hope of his recovery, yet when
it became known that "Clayt" Warner
was dead, the announcement came as
a shock to his friends and the public,
for few men stand higher in the est.
nation Of the people Of the city than
did the dead chief of police.
Mr.. Warner came to Billings in. the
fall OF 1882, coming here from Den
yer, where he was engaged in the
drug business. His advent into Bill
ings was to assume the position Of
manager of the Willard Cattle COM
! pany. an organization composed prin-
cipally of men who knew him before
he left his old home, Mankato, MINI.
He established the company's ranch
or Dean creek and subsequently built
the Diamond w horse ranch. He re-
NAMED identified with the stock bus
mess until about eight years ago,w when
he removed to the city and once more
embarked in the business for which
he had educated himself and was one
of the founders of the store now con-
Quoted by Holmes & Rixon. Finding
the nature of the business to con
filming and his health already having
become impaired, he sold out his in
terest to the senior member of the
present firm and devoted himself to
various occupations. At the last gen
eral election he was a candidate for
the Office of county treasurer, run
ming on the democratic ticket. He
was defeated by his republican op-
ponent, Dad Holmes, his successor
in the drug business. Last spring
when Mayor George was elected he
was appointed chief of police, and al
though in poor health devoted himself
faithfully to the discharge of the dut-
les of that position until finally he sue
cumbed to the illness which terminal
ed in his death, and made an efficient
and capable officer. Sometime during
the fall he submitted to a surgical
operation to relieve him of some nerv-
u trouble and for a while apparently
was much better. His system, how
ever, had become undermined by stom-
ach trouble and he also suffered much
from an affection of the nerves. Only
his courage and determination kept
him up and to this fact his friends at
tribute his long battling of the all
ments to which he was at last forced
to yield. Even when too sick to leave
his room he continued to direct the
affairs of the police force and remain
it's head until death closed his eyes.
which occurred at $50 o'clock yester-
day morning.
Mr.. Warner was about 43 years OF
age and unmarried. He was born at
Mankato. Mimi. where his ra.atives
reside. A few days ago when it be-
came apparent that his recovery was
impossible a dispatch was cent to
his father, a practicing physician and
word was received from him that he
would leave for Billings on the first
train. He was expected to arrive yes
terday, but failed to do so AMI is look
ed for today. Pending arrival Of the
father no arrangements have been
made for the funeral. The body has
been removed to Settlers undertaking
rooms, where it now is.
Perhaps few men in Billings or Vel
loWstone county have ever more fully
enjoyed the esteem and respect of
the public or occupied a warmer place
in the affections of their friends than
did "Clayt" Warner. He was admired
by all that knew him and what few
faults he may have had were those
OF the mind rather than the heart. AS
a sample of his generosity it is only
necessary to cite the instance OF
Uncle Ned Forester, who himself
is now an invalid and cripple in tie
hospital. For years he was the sole
occupant Of a ranch near Springdalc
owned by the deceased and who per.
mltted the old man to n it as
his own, taking all he could make
from it. while Mr.. Warner paid all the
expenses attached to the place. Now
that he is dead only words of sincere
regret and sorrow are heard and the
tributes paid to his memory are earn
est and prompted by the profoundest
regard and admiration felt for him
while in life.
The claim of other cough medicines
to be as good as Chamberlain's are