Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-07-11
COL. SANDERS
PASSESAWAY
Man Who Did So Much for Montana
Dies At the Age Of seventy-one,
Full Of Years and Honors.
HE WAS A MAKER OF HISTORY
His Career In the Early Days, When
the Power Of the Desperadoes
Was Broken.

Helena, July 7.-Wilbur Fiske San.
ders, who from the early days was
one Of the dominant figures in the
history of Montana, is dead. The sad
event, which will cause deep sorrow
in every part Of the state, occurred
here shortly after noon today. and al
though he had been lowering between
life and death for more than five
weeks, the end was not expected, be-
cause of the wonderful rallies he had
made after the several sinking spells
heretofore noted in these dispatches
and which it was thought at the time
would result fatally.
Colonel Sanders. a few moments
before his death, dispatched the nurse
for his faithful and loving wife, who,
through the long week had kept an
almost constant vigil at his bedside.
Mrs. Sanders repaired to the room,
little suspecting that it would be her
last meeting with her illustrious hus-
band.
The door was left ajar and Colonel
Sanders, addressing her in whisper,
announced his belief that the end was
near, remarking:
Goodbye, dear and faithful Hat.
tie" He sank back upon the pillow,
and the end SO long feared had come.
Thus Mrs. Sanders was alone with the
distinguished patient at the time of
his death, although two sons were in
the house at the time.
The news of his demise was COM
municated to the members of the fam
lily and they gathered in the death
chamber. Present were James u.
Sanders, the eldest son; Wilbur e.
Sanders, another son; Serepta San
ders, sister of the pioneer, and Mrs.
Louis Peck Sanders, of Butte, the wife
Of the remaining son. Mr.. Sanders
arrived from Butte tonight, along with
Junius G. Sanders, a brother, thus
uniting the family, but upon a most
sorrowful occasion.
The Last Illness.
The last illness of Colonel Sanders,
pioneer, eminent lawyer, patriot, elo-
quent orator, Republican leader, pros
ecutor for the Vigilantes and perhaps
the best known citizen of the state,
was of exactly five weeks duration,
it being on Friday, June 2, that he
repaired to his home, and announced
to his wife that he dio not feel able
to continue his practice OF law before
%A~A H. $n0y a
few days rest.
Upon the next day, he confided to
his wife the belief that he would never
again resume his practice of law; not
that he was a weakling and ready to
surrender, but from the belief that he
was more than 20 years of age. far
above the average number of years
allotted to mankind.
The ensuing five weeks have been
ones of most keen anxiety to mem.
bers of the family and his friends.
He would lapse into spells of uncon.
sciousness, which led to the belief that
the end was at hand, only to regain
his normal condition, at least SO far
as spirits were concerned.
DR.. Brooke, the attending physician
during the last illness, declared today
that in all his practice he had never
seen such exhibitions OF vitality as dis
played by the former senator. the
doctor, as well as the members ol
the family, were, of course, agreeably
surprised at these almost superhuman
revivals; yet they had come with such
certain regularity after each sinking
spell that the family was therefore un
prepared for the end, although morally
certain that it was inevitable and
within short time.
The news of his death soon spread
and cast a gloom over the entire city
During the afternoon scores upon
scores called to extend their sympathy
to the bereaved family, but no visit
ors were received, their cards simply
being placed in silver receptacle
outside the door.
AS is well known, the death of Col
onel Sanders was due to a cancerous
affliction, which found it's origin in the
right eye, due to the branch of tret
striking the outer lid of that member
At first little or no attention was paie
to the wound, but in later years thu
more eminent specialists of the coun
try have treated him, only in vain
This affliction was superinduced b!
rheumatism and general debility.
About three years ago. Colonel San
ders went to Chicago. where, after ;
treatment extending over is months
his case was pronounced incurable
and with Mrs. Sanders, he returned t.
his beloved adopted state. conscious
even then. that the end was inevitable
During all those years no word o
complaint was uttered by him eithe
because of the afflictiOn or of the at
tendant pain. Indeed, his battle will
the affliction was perhaps more re
markable than that of any other even
in which he participated during hi
4O-odd years of active life in the tel
ritory of Idaho. the territory of Mon
tana and the state of Montana.
Colonel Sanders also underwen
treatment at the hands of specialist
in New York and Helena. but with tn
same result Condemned though h
was, no whimper came from his lips
His stand was as brave to the las
as in the early days when dealt
throotopod in a most summary mar