The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-07-12
COL. SANDERS is DEAD.
MONTANA'S FAMOUS PIONEER CITIZEN
CROSSES THE GREAT DIVIDE.
puring the Past Forty Years He Was
prominent In Affairs Of Public
Interest

-'H' "u'y '.-iAIter an lines )
OF more than year, resulting from a
cancerous growth in his nose and the
general weakness of old age. Col.
Wilbur F. Sanders, q pioneer lawyer
OF Montana, attorney for the vigi.
lantes In the early days of the terri.
tory, when the community was over.
run with desperadoes, one of the fore.
most citizens OF the state, and one of
Its first United States senator's, died
at his home here today, at 1920 D. m.
Although it was known that the end
was not far away, Colonel Sanders
death was sudden. At noon he was
reported to be conscious, but extreme.
ly weak. Colonel Sanders, a few
moments before his death, dispatched
the nurse for his faithful and loving
wife, who, through the long weeks 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 H.
lustrious husband. The door was left
ajar and Colonel Sanders, addres sing
her in whisper, announced his belief
that the end was near, remarking:
"GOod-bye, 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.
NO arrangements have been made
for the funeral. 1t is understood that
the Masons will have charge Of the
service. Colonel Sanders is past
grand master Of the Masons of the
state. and has been intimately con.
nected with the Masonic history from
1t, beginning in the territory. Col.
onel Sanders belonged to no religious
denomination. For many years he
was mem Der of the board of trustees
OF the Montana Wesleyan university,
and although he did good service for
that institution he was not in any
other way connected with the Metho-
dist church.
Wilbur F.. Sanders was born in Leon.
county, New York, May 2,
1854. He was q sou of Ira. aud Free.
dom Sanders. During his childhood
Colonel Sanders attended the public
schools in New York, and afterward
took up the profession of teaching,
which he followed for some time.
Ia 1854 Mr.. Sanders removed to
Ohio and began the study OF law at
Akron in 1856, two years later. He
was admitted to the bar and was do.
ing we'll in his profession when the
civil war broke out, and he answered
to the call for volunteers. Not only
did he go to the war, but he organized
company OF infantry and a battery
and in recognition of his services was
made lieuten ant and regimental ad-
jutant OF the SiXty.fourth Ohio Vol.
unteer infantry.
While at the height of his military
career, when his future as Q soldier
appe ared particularly bright, he was
taken i'll and forced to leave the army
because OF his failing health. Colonel
Sanders physicians advised him to
go to the plains, and he did so, max
ing the trip to Montana in company
with his uncle, Governor Edgertou.
This was in 1863. He arrived at Ban.
mack City on September II. There he
settled down once more to the practice
of the law, and though there was very
little law in the community when he
found it, he helped instill the priuci.
Piles OF Jurisprudence into his fellow
citizens and soon came TO be recog-
nized as leader of men.
Aside from his prosecution of Dor.
der ruffians and his duties as chairman
Of the vigilante committe. Colonel
won the hearts of his country
men by making an overland trip to
W Washington in 1865 in behalf of the
who sought relief from the
burden OF excessive taxation. He
served in the territorial legislature
rom ls72.lS7S. He was the republi.
IAN candidate for delegate in congress
n 1864, 1867, 1850 and 1886. Ia 1865
le was territorial delegate to the ma.
ional convention, as we'll as those in
o12, 1876 and 1884. In 1889, he was
elected by the republican branch OF
he first state legislature as one of
'lOntana's first senators and was
eated in that body. He was a promi-
ent candidate for reelection four
ears later, but failed OF al election,
nd resumed the practice of law in
lelena, where he has resided since
S6s.
On October -, ls5s, Colonel San.
ers was united ia marriage TO Miss ,
Harriet +. Fem, native Of Ohio. ,
" this union ii We Oh liren wpra horn |