The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-01-28
NOTED BUTTE CHANT DiEs
WHILE WALKING HOME
FROM MASS. t
DEATH IS SUDDEN
Pioneer Of Montana and Richest Mer-
chant IN Northwest suners attack
or Heart FailureFound Lying on
Sidewalk BY Printer- caves Wifs#
and Three Children seIf.Made.
Especial to The Gazette.) J

Especial to The Gazette.)
Butte. Jan. 27.D. j. Hennessy.
president Of the Hennessy Mercantile
company, q pioneer of Montana and
the richest merchant in the northwest,
dropped dead on the street today at
8 o'clock Of heart trouble. He was
born at Fredericktown, N. sB., III 1864.
a widow and three children survive
him. 5 s s5Ss sS
Mr.. Hennessy began his education
at a collegiate school In the province
Of New Brunswick, but at the age Of
s13 he left school and determined to-
begin the battle of life tor himself,
which he did by accepting employ
ment n q grocery Arm, which was
more to his taste, and IN which he
remained until the western fever be-
came epidemic throughout the land
and attacked him as 1t did thousands
Of others.
Start II Montana.
In 1879 he came to Montana, arriy-
ing at Helena in April, and remained
g month, after which he visited Butte
and secured position Of Importance
and responsibility with p =. Bonner.
& Co., soon demonstrating his ca
pactty and business tact.
IN the fall Of 1886 Mr.. Hennessy
began business for himself by organ
izing the Arm Of .. ]. Hennessy g.
Co. and started an establishment On
Main street above Broadway. moving
soon after to the corner Of Main and
Granite. In this enterprise he was
entirely successful, the business ex-
panding with such rapidity and regu-
larity that IN less than three years
an enlargement Of its scope and re-
arrangement of its stocks was re-
quired. IN the summer of 1889 the
firm was Incorporated with paid-up
capital stock Of $3.50, 900 under the
title Of the d. j. Hennessy Mercantile
company, and thus with enlarged far
icilities this new company started out
with every Indication Of prosperity.
Fire Burns store.
Sunday. SEPTEMBER 20. 1889. q dis
astrous fire started ct the corner ~
Granite and Utah streets and ina few
minutes consumed his entire building
and stock Of goods valued 1t more
than $125, 900. He was able, however.
to save his books. and they we're 81
such excellent shape that the full In
surance he carried was promptly paid
by every company concerned without
hesitation or quibble. Before the end
OF the year he had erected and COM
pletely stocked q fine new building
on the site Of the old one. ~
4 In November Of that year he was
elected as q democrat to the frst state
senate Of Montana, and Ii the dis
tribution Of terms he drew the short
one. The next year he was elected
for the full term Of four years ana
gave his constituents good service Tor
half the term, being chairman OF the
committee on mines and mining and
a member Of the finance and other i'm
portant committees IN the body. After
serving his party faithfully for 9 year
or more he resigned his ohlcial posi-
ton and devoted his attention exclu-
sively to his enormous business.
Very Wealthy.
Mr.. Hennessy was many times -
millionaire. He had held high ofaces
in the Ancient Order Of United Work
men, was a leading democratic politi-
clan and had given fortunes to the
Catholic church. He was also
knight Of Columbus. Mr.. Hennessy
was found on West Park street, near
Jackson, at 8 o'clock this morning II Al
dying condition. He had been to early
mass. Edward Killfeather. . linotype
operator on the Miner. discovered the
stricken man and carried him into the
residence Of DR. Hanson, 9 few yards q &
away, but Mr.. Hennessy expired be
fore anything could be done. He had q +
had heart trouble for years.
No arrangements for the funeral
have yet been made.
OPENING NEW MINING SCHOOL