The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-11-26
MISsouLA CITY CLERK GOES TO
HIS LAST LONG REST AS
DAY BREAKS.
ODD FELLOW
Exemplary Husband and Father. Faith
full Public Servant, Genial and Kindly
Citia.n, Deceased Had OFT Expressed
the Hope His Demise Should Come

James Sheppard Kemp. city clerk
of Missoula and one of the most prom
inent odd Fellows of the Northwest.
died yesterday morning just as day
was breaking. Although Mr. Kemp
had been in delicate health for year
or two, il was not realized that his
condition was serious until Il short
time ago. At intervals during the
past year Mr.. Kemp had been com
PEELED by his condition to leave his
office at the city hall and to rest at
home. Last week he became very
weak and complained of failing eye
sight. There were times when he
would be nearly blind. He went to
his home and his work was placed
in other hands.
On Tuesday his physician had told
him that IL would be necessary to
build up his system before permanent
Improvement OF his eyes could lie
hoped for. This worried the old gen
tieman somewhat and he appeared
uneasy. but he did not complain.
wednesday morning Mr.. Kemp came
down town and was met by Mayor
Logan in the heavy rain. Mr.. Logan
reproached his old friend for coming
out in such weather, but Mr.. Kemp
said he had felt the necessity of COM
ing To town, as he was restless at
home and there were some matters to
which he wished to attend. He was
persuaded tn return to his home, That
was his last visit to the business Sec
ton of the city.
The Last Day.
Arrived a. home. Mr.. Kemp seemed
to feel better during the day. Word
was sent, however. to his son James
in Butte and he arrived Wednesday
night. Wednesday evening Mr.. Kemp
was cheerful and said he believed his
eyes were better. He was able To
play cards with members of his fam
lily until 10 o'clock in the evening.
when he retired. He said he was feel
ing better.
At 2 O'Clock yesterday morning Mrs.
Kemp was aroused from sleep by her
husband grasping her arm. She as
sisted him to rise from bed, but he
fell against her. unconscious. Mrs.
Kemp placed his unconscious form
upon the bed and at once summoned
her son James. When the latter en-
tered the room his father was appar-
emily unconscious. but as the son ap-
preached the bed the elder man opened
his eyes and pointed to his head, evil
IDENTIFY wishing to indicate that he
was suffering from pain there.
doctor was at once summoned and
II. w. Kemp. another son. was sent
Thomas, who was out of the city.
We're also called. The doctor pro-
nounced the case serious, but said
that the old gentleman might linger
for long time, though his recovery
was impossible. He did not think
that death was near and. soon after
o'clock. the patient was left with
his watchers. An hour later Mr.
Kemp was dead.
Nephritis is given as the cause of
death. The physician believes that
Mr.. Kemp suffered no pain after the
stroke which rendered him uncon-
scians. II was the way which MIR.
Kemp had often said he hoped he
would be taken.
Friends Grieve.
"
old man came as a shock to the city.
Mr.. Kemp had been so recently upon
the streets that none of his friends
realized that his condition was i'm any
way serious and they were unwilling
to believe that he had been taken.
Word was sent yesterday to friends
outside the city. and the grand Off
GERS of the Odd Fellows were notified.
Thomas Kemp. the only son who was
not in the city. was notified by wire
and came home last night. The flu
neral will be held Sunday afternoon
at o'clock. The place of the services
will be announced later The Odd
Fellows will have charge of the
burial.
A Useful Life.
James Sheppard Kemp was born at
Brundish Mill. Suffolk. England. No
vemher %. 1sil. He came to st. Cath
crimes. Ontario. in 1853. There he
grew to manhood. following the occu-
patton of flour miller as a young man
and until 1885. living all those years
in Ontario.
From Grimsby. Ontario Mr.. Kemp
came to Missoula. arriving here No
vember Il. 1855. To join his son. II. w.
Kemp, who had located here. In
Missoula Mr.. Kemp soon became iden-
titled with public affairs. He served
two terms as city treasurer and was
elected member of the school board
for two terms. Six years ago he WAS
appointed city clerk by Mayor Smith
and was continued in that office by
Mayor Keith and by Mayor Logan.
He was a conscientious officer. scru-
pulously attentive 10 details and pos
sessed of absolute integrity.