The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Lewiston, Mont, March 15.--James
Fergus, pioneer Of several northwest
ern states and prominent figure in them
all, is passing through what is believed
here will be his last sickness. He is en-
feebled by age and has little strength with
which to combat his ailments.
Mr.. Fergus was born in Scotland on the
farm of Shawton, Glassford parish,
Lanarkshire. on Oct. 10, 1913. He at
tended school in his native country until
the age Of 49, when he babe adieu to the
scenes Of his childhood and embarked for
America. He spent several years In
Canada, where he learned and worked at
the trade Of millwright. From Canada he
went to Green Bay, Wis, where he was
employed for a time on public works.
He was in Milwaukee when it was not
much more than a village and was Of
fered a quarter section of land in what is
now the business portion of Chicago, for
So an acre. After working at his trade
in various places, he finally located at
Moline, Ill, where he was counted one of
the pioneer manufacturers of that now
famous manufacturing center, becoming
interested in a paper mill. It is said
thatsa monument erected to the pioneer
manufacturers of the county at Rock
Island, bears the name of games Fer
gus"
From Moline he went to Little Falls,
Mimi, which place he founded and where
he bridged the Mississippi river. He aft
erWards located Fergus Falls, the smart
little city which still bears his name. He
owned one-half of the townsite, tbut was
not resident of the place. His Little
Fails enterprise proved a financial failure
and the accumulation of years was quickly
swept away. -r.
Still Farther West.
Undaunted, he cast his eyes to the west
ward. He would try his fortunes with
the gold-seekers Of the Rocky mountains.
In 1852 he purchased 'bull team" and
joined Captain James l.. Fisk's overland
expedition at Little Falls, MINI. The
party arrived at Bannock, Mont, in the
fall of that year, and Mr.. Fergus at once
engaged actively in mining operations,
taking prominent place in the affairs of
the new mining camp. He was a member
or the first miners court and was chosen
its first judge. Owing to his stirling in
tegrlty, his decisions were never Ques-
toned. He was made the first recorder of
Alder Gulch Virginia City and was the
first county commissioner appointed in the
territory Of Montana, holding that Office
for Madison county,
His personal courage, sense of justice
and regard for law and order made him
power IN quelling the evil disposed in
eNAN
he that the early vigilante organizations
were composed and who commanded the
respect of such characters as Plummer
and Slade ..-
County Named for Him. 49,.
removing to- Lewis and Clark county
ne served two terms as county commits
| sloner and one term in the territorial
! legislature. Always a pioneer Mr.. Fer
gus was one of the first settlers in what
was then Meagher county, locating on
Armells creek in 1879. He represented
| the county in the first constitutional con
vention and in 1886 was member of the
| state senate. It was while acting in this
latter capacity that Fergus county was
organized by segregation from Meaghe1
| county. 1t was just a demand of the peo-
pie of his region. but it is doubtful wheth-
| er 1t would have been granted for sew
eral years but. for the fact that his as
sociates in the legislature desired to con-
| fer an honor upon him. Mr. Fergus I'M
selfishly proposed the name of Judith, but
! to no avail. Hence one of the richest
| counties in Montana bears his honored
name. ,-. (. ..s-.-,- ..-....- o.. - ..-- I'd.
! Mr.. Fergus has always been great