American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1909-07-31
W. A. BENNETT
MEETS GRIM REAPER
Pioneer Of American Falls and
Snake River Valley.
Old Soldier, Indian Fighter, Prospector
and Miner, Participated in Mining
Excitement at Bonanza Bar In
the Early Seventies.

Taps sounded upon the life of Cap
tain William A. Bennett, U. 5. A. ",
Tuesday evening at 5:15. AS MEM
Der of the Eighth U. S. V. Regiment,
of California enlistment of 1868, ne
came into Utah with the command of
Gen. Pat. Connor, and was IN the
severe engagement on the Bear river,
near Preston, Idaho, in which the rest
less Bannocks and renegade Indians had
been making trouble for the settlers
at that time. After the expiration OF
his enlistment Capt. Bennett became
interested in the mining industry OF the
Snake river valley, devoting number
of years to that work with greater or
less success until 1897 when he became
postmaster at this place, succeeding L.
v. St. Clair, which position he held up
to the 18TH of May of the present year
when he resigned, being succeeded by
o. H. Barber.
Capt. Bennett had been a silent and
patient sufferer for number OF years,
his complaint being of the liver with
| its concomitant complications, causing
at times the most accute suffering, all
of which he bore without murmur with
! wonderful amount of fortitude. Capt
Bennett was one who never complained
and most remarkable feature of his
/ life was that he never told anyone any
thing regarding his life or home.
He was born in the historic town of
Claverhouse, near Rochester, New
York, in 1888, of German and Irish par
ents. He left his early home for Cali
fornia along in 1847 or l848 at the
time of the gold fever, and
spent his pioneerage in prospecting
At the breaking out of the civil war he
Joined the Army as a Federal soldier,
came to Utah, finally locating upon the
Snake river as placer miner and max
ing Bonanza Bar his first home. tie
employed at this time on his works,
the following old timers who survive
him: James Clifford, Dan McLaren,
John Calder of Fall Creek and Homer
Pease of Rockland, all of whom were
the young men of that day.
The Captain was not a member o1
anv religious denomination nor OF any
secret order so far as can be learned,
but he certainly practiced all OF the
, nobler traits of both and then some,
that are not written in the ritual. Ht
owened the property anjoining the orr
ginal townsite, to the south, and bu'
recently disposed of his holdings to th'
townsite company. He always had
helping hand for the needy and delight
ed in the happiness of childhood. His
likes and dislikes were strong but never
of a public character. Captain Ben
nett contributed literally to churche
and particularly to the schools OF MI
own community.
The funeral service of the late Capt
Rennett was held in the parlors OF tn
Oliver House Thursday afternoon at
o'clock. 1t was the largest attends
of any funeral service ever heia u
American Falls. Many of his old ant
cherished friends were present. era.
headed veterans, eyes dlmmeo an'
steps feeble found way to be presen
, at the last sad rites. The opening
: bvmn. Lead Kindly Light, written b,
: the great Bishop Newman, was wei
rendered by select vocal quIntett
), comnosed of the Misses Nunneliey
Miss Machines, Rev. Jas. Leltch an'
Budd Leitch, Mrs. C. c. Thornnll
accompanist. After the invocatlo
the goth Psalm was read when th
hvmn. Abide With Me, was rendered
The remarks by Rev. Leitch were ap
and beautiful. The entire buslnes
!. section of the town closed during tn
It hour of the funeral. The tollowln
e gentleman acted as pail bearers; W
it H. Philbrick. w. T. Oliver, R.
: Greenwood, R. o. Jones, W. A. Yves
:, and L. L. Evans.
n The estate Of Capt. Bennett amount
C to about S25, 600. Mrs. Oliver receive
> 81. 600; Miss Vera, $1,000; Miss Alic'
t. 81. 600: Miss Irene, $780, Miss Ohvi
Il received the residue of the estate
It amounting to 81, 500 in money and note
and the thirteen lots and house ths
i Mr.. Bennett occupied, on East Raj
- road avenue.