The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-11-30
NOTED CHARACTER
OF WEST IS DEAD
Captain E. B. Wilder Passes
Away After Nearing the
Century Mark.
VIRGINIA CITY PIONEER
STERLING TYPE OF OLD.TIME
WESTERN MINER.

d
nonOgenarian whose name is linked
with the mining history of the west
from the early COmstock days until
few years ago when his active life was
obscured by age, died at the home of
his son-in-lsw, Charles H. Dowse, 623
East Fourth South street, at o'clock
last night. He had been falling for some
months and death is attributable to the
infiTmities of age.
Captain Wilder, who was we'll known
in Salt Lake and in mining camps Of
Utah and Nevada, as well as in other
parts of the west, was born August 3,
1874 at MOntega Bay, Jamaica. lie
story of his life reads like a chapter
from a romance. When he was still a
child he was brought to this country by
his mother, and settled in New Or
leans. A brother, William H. Wilder,
became famous as an advocate, and
was one of the most picturesque fig
ures in Louisiana, his greatest case be-
ing the celebrated Gaines contest. He
was also influential in politics and neld
many responsible positions. Like mis-
brother, the lawyer lived to pass the
ninetieth milestone.
In an old scrapbook found among
Captain Wilder's possessions, clipping
from the New Orleans Picayune tells
how Captain Wilder, then 81 years old,
journeyed from Salt Lake to New Or
leans TO help his aged brother celebrate
his SSth birthday.
Most of Captain Wilder's early youth
was spent in Michigan, where he gained
an education and became a civil engi-
neer. Before the war, he helped lay
out the route of the old Michigan Cen
trail railroad. Later he went to North
Carolina, Joined the confederate army
and served through the war of the re-
bellion, gaining distinction and rising
to the rank of captain.
Following the close of the war, Cap
tain Wilder went to Nevada and was
superintendent of the old COmstOck
mine at Virginia City in the days when
Mackay and others were making their
fortunes. John c. Mackay worked I'M
der superintendent Wilder; Mark
Twain was running a newspaper, and
Captain Wilder knew many of the men
who later become wealthy and figured
in the development of the west.
Work in Nevada.
From Virginia City, Captain Wilder
went to White Pine county, Nevada. He
was a man of slight build, but of rug
ged constitution, and he prospected
tunes for others but escaping the touch
Of Dame Fortunes wand himself
In 1870 he came TO Utah, and was
identified with various mining inter
ests. He was superintendent of the
Ophir mine for years and was interest
ed at Lewiston, as well. He spent years
in the mining camps of this state and
was we'll known. He was the discOverer
of oil in Juab county, and though he
never made a fortune from his discoy-
cry he opened a new field of develop
ment.
Captain Wilder was married in Mich
igan and to that Union, one child was
born, Mrs. Hubbard of San Francisco.
His first wife died and he was mar
ried in Salt Lake 80 years ago TO Mary
Agnes Yeall, who survives. Two chill
dren survive that union-Mrs. Charles
H. DOwse of 623 East Fourth South
st ,et, and Herbert Wilder. who is the
assayer at the Lower Mammoth mine.
Captain Wilder was a type of the
old western miner. He followed the in
dustry because he loved it, outlived
hundreds of others with whom he had
worked, and died in the fullest possess
sion of his faculties, more than ninety
eight years of age. He maintained an
office in Salt Lake for a number of
years and until he left active work was
a typical figure in mining circles.
He was vestryman of St. Marks
Episcopal church for many years and
though the funeral arrangements have
not yet been made, il is likely that the
services will be conducted in that
church.
A coincidence in the death of Captain
Wilder is the visit to this city of More
ton Frewen. who arrived last night.
Several wears go Mr. FreWen was in
terested with Captain Wilder in the
Juab oil fields, says Mrs. Wilder, and
her memory was refreshed upon this
point by several clippings in her hus-
bands old scrap-album which had been
written by Mr. Frewen.