The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-10-10
DEATH OF EUGENE L. PATTERSON
BY Drowning in the Yellowstone River

BY Drowning in the Yellowstone River
We published last week brief account NJ
the drowning in the Yellowstone river. almos,
within sight of his home, Of E. (. Patterson.
one Of the foremost citizens and business men
of Big Timber. Montana. We have since re-
ceived copy of The Big Timber Pioneer piv-
ing full particulars Of this sad event. With A
Whitney and Elmer Sanderson Mr.. Patterson
had embarked in a small boat intending to 90
down the Yellowstone as far as Gray Cliff. and
the party were equipped for hunting and fish
ing. In the first rapids the boat shipped a
large amount of water and before it could he
brought under control it had entered the
second rapids, short distance further down
the stream, where it capsized. Both Messrs.
Patter ion and Whitney were good swimmers.
but Sanderson could not swim and they helped
him to cling to the boat, which had turned
completely over. Mr.. Whitney then swan for
the south shore and Mr.. Patterson started in
the opposite direction. Mr.. Whitney saw
MIR. Patterson once after he had started
toward land, and thinking him safe went.
to the aid of Mr.. Sanderson and found that
the boat to which Mr.. S. was clinginp had
drifted into clump of willows near BRIDGE
Some men employed at the Bray ranch bv
means of halter ropes tied together succeeded
in getting him onto the bridge He said that
he had seen Mr. Pattersons head above the
water once after he had started to swim
ashore. At that time he appeared to be in no
distress, but seemingly was swimming strong
ly. When short distance below the bridge
he said MIR. Patterson suddenly sank and never
again appeared above the water.
Help was summoned from town and efforts
at once began to recover the body, but at last
advices had proved unsuccessful, and it was
thought the body was held by some obstruc.
tions in the river bottom. patrol has been
keeping watch since on each side of the river
face.
DEATH DEPLoRED BY ALL
The Pioneer says: "No death ever occurred
in any community that caused as much pen
uine sorrow and profound regret. Mr.. Patter.
son was endowed with disposition that rad
lated sunshine wherever he was. Generous.
broadminded. charitable to degree. always
prepared to overlook the SHORTCOMINGS of
others, he was everyone's friend. ALWAYS
foremost in everything calculated to advance
the interests Of the community, he could be
lily spared. His home life was marked by
supreme happiness and content Considerate
and kind. responsive to every appeal of love
and devotion, he was an ideal husband and
father.
To the sorrowing widow, deprived of the
staff upon which she had leaned for n,anv
years. her life rendered desolate and dark, the
sympathy of the community goes out and
hearts ache in unison with hers To the son
and daughter robbed of their best friend and
counsellor, words can but feeby express the
depths of sorrow felt for them. commun-
ity mourns with them and fan would lessen
the awful burden the family is called upon to
bear
NATIVE OF BELFAST.
Eugene L. L.Patterson was born at Belfast, Me-
Feb. IA, 1861. He was married in his native
home. In 1887 he came to Montana and for
time made his home in the Lake basin, where
ne was employed by B. G. Shorey and looked
after his sheep and other interests. Thence
he removed to the Musselshell, where he man
aged the Smart sheep fit. Subsequently
he went to the White Beaver and engaged in
the sheep business on his own account. Later
he had ranch on Sweet Grass, remaining
there until Immediately after the fire which in
the ring of 1908 destroyed the greater part
of the business section of Big Timber when he
removed to the city and joined by C. L. Ohm
stead bought the business of the Montana
Trading company. Subsequently he acquired
Mr.. Olmstead's interest and the firm of e. L.
Patterson & Co. succeeded, the other members
being E. r. Patterson and Norman E. Hale.
Beside the widow, a son, Ernest E. R., who is
married, and daughter, Edith, just entering
young womanhood, deceased is survived by
two brothers, A. M. and C. B. Patterson. The
first named lives at Whiting, Ia, where he is
engaged in business The other brother makes
his home at Petaluma, Calf. A. M Patterson
happened to be west of St. Paul, Mimi, where
he and some companions were hunting, when
the accident occurred. He was reached by
telegraph there and arrived at Big Timber
Sunday morning. At last accounts the other
brother had not been communicated with. as
he was absent from home and could not be To-
Gated. having gone some days before to the
northern part of the State without leaving his
address