Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-05-31
JOE SILVERS
ISFOUND
Well Known Character In This Sec.
ton Stricken While Alone In His
Ranch Home.
HAD AN ADVENTUROUS CAREER
Sailed Around the Horn Half a Cen.
tury Ago and Joined the Gold
Seekers In California.

Joe Silvers, one Of the pioneer resi-
dents of this section, was found dead
in his home few miles up Spring
creek Saturday morning by W. A.
Graber, and, from all indications, he
had been dead about two days.
Was Eighty Years Old.
Mr.. Graber was on his way to this
city. and stopped at Silvers' ranch
to pay him a call. He found the door
locked, and on looking through win
dow in the old mans bed room, saw
Silvers lying on the floor, apparently
dead. Further investigation showed
that the deceased was in the act of
lighting fire in his bed room when
he was stricken. He was 80 years
old, and always lived alone in his lit.
tie house on his ranch, so that there
was no one at hand to minister to him
at the end, but in view of his great
age, it is not likely that anything
could have been done to prolong his
life.
DR.. F. F. Attix, the coroner, was
notified at once and visited the place.
He found that death resulted from
natural causes, and decided that an
inquest was not necessary.
The funeral was held from Creel's
undertaking parlors Sunday afternoon,
the interment being at the Catholic
cemetery.
SiIvers Adventurous Career.
AS before stated, Silvers was about
80 years of age, and he had, up to
the time he came here, lived an adven-
turous life. He was a native of Port
ugal,. and as lad followed the sea.
Half a century ago he sailed around
the horn and on through the Golden
gate, where he deserted the ship and
joined the gold seekers. He was in
innumerable adventures and fights IN
those stirring times, and among his
effects is a small necklace made OF
little nuggets of California gold that
he himself panned out. 1t is of lit
tie value, but was treasured by the
lonely old man as memehto OF the
times when every day was crowded
with incidents and strenuous ehort.
1t is known that while in California,
he had one especially serious fight, and
he is said to have confided to his few
intimates that it resulted In the death
of the other man, although he held
himself blameless for the result.
Located at Helena.
A quarter of century ago ne came
to Montana and located at Helena
where he did a little mining, and hve
wears later came to the Judith basin
locating up Spring creek. He mac
some stock, and in various ways man.
aged to make a living. He owned 81
the time of his death a nice rancn
estimated to be worth at least $1,000
a considerable bunch of cattle and
few hundred dollars in the bank.
II appears that for many years, Sill
vers did not let his relatives know
anything about him, but about 1SOI ae
wrote to a sister, Barbara Joaqulna de
Mendonca, living at 1876 Arnold street
New Bedford, Massachusetts, ano
from that time on q correspondents
was kept up with her and memOeIs
of her family. They apepar 10 pe
poor people, but with amDitlons U
give the children good educations
The aged sister was delighted 10 nSal
from her missing brother after he
long silence extending over many
wears. and urged him to come 10 ne'
and take some comfort in his decnn
ing DAYS, but Silvers never cared te
accept this invitation, preferrlng u
live the life of hermit to the emu
Are His Heirs.
There is no question at an a
the relationship of the New peo.o,,
people, nor as to their oelns ,lie anm. @
of kin, and they will lnnerlt .he . Snue
little fortune garnered by the au'sn 81.
turous Portuguese sailor uurlns "''
ctOrmy career.