Semi-weekly herald., 1913-07-03

pose . product OF the mountain re-
gion, casting his fortune in these hills
in the prime of his young manhood.
He loved the surroundings and in
the early days of his last illness, ex-
pressed the wish that he might be
laid to rest here.
Frank West was a modest, unob-
trusive man, direct Of action, clean
of purpose and at heart one of the
kindliest Of men-in short the highest
type Of Christian gentleman.
Briefly speaking this was his iife's
story: He was a son Of William Hen
derson West and Anna Shears West
and was born in the town of North
port, Noble county, Indiana, March
20, 1851, and died at Pinehurst ranch,
in the Animas valley, June rs, 1913,
at the age of 62 years. Mr.. West
spent his early days in the town OF
Wolcottville, Ind. In his seventeenth
year he located in Lawrence, Kas.
Shortly he heard the call of the far
west and journeyed overland by team
to Cheyenne by way Of Fort Kearney
and North Platte. From Cheyenne he
travelled to Denver and thence to Cali
fornia gulch. In the early seventies
he went to Trinidad where he remain
ed about a year when he was on his
way to the Monero, N. NJ, mines. This
trip was made by way OF Maxwelps
ranch, now Cimmaron. The year 1876
found him over in the San Juan sec
ton, resident of Lake City. After
ward he crossed the range to Silver
ton where he remained until after
Durango was started when he came
here and engaged in the livery bust
ness with Charlie Myers. Much pros
perity attended him in this line of
business. The year 1884 was most
important one in Mr.. Vests life.
Shortly after it was ushered in, he
went to Chicago and claimed Miss
Carrie Judd, beautiful and talented
girl for his bride. On their way home
they encountered two months rail
road blockade in Alamosa. Business
affairs demanded the groom's pres
ence in Durango, SO he made the
trip over the range by snow shoes
leaving his bride behind. For sixty
days Mrs. West waited in the snow
bound village before the narrow track
which connects this town with the out
side world was open for travel.
The young married people were
very popular in the social life OF
the town. In his business success
crowned Mr.. Vests efforts. But one
day, like blow out of clear sky
financial calamity came upon him. His
livery barn and its entire contents
were burned. Only the day previous
the insurance policies had expired. His
loss was tremendous. Shortly the
family moved east. For some timt
Chicago and vicinity was home. Oh
late they have been located at Foun
tain, Ell Paso county, Colorado.
In the neighborhood of fourteen
years ago Mr.. West united with the
Zion City church. Of late years, sine.
he has been without direct church
connection, he still followed the teach
ing of his first church home, anc
died firm believer in that faith.
About thirteen years ago, a beau
tiful baby girl, their only child, came
to brighten their home. She wa:
christened Jean.
Mr.. Vests last illness was of two
weeks duration. In the early stages
he was so critically ill his wife anC
little daughter was summoned. A
short time after their arrival his con.
dition showed such marked improve
ment that his recovery seemed as.
sured. The end came suddenly after
an acute attack Of asthma of only
a few minutes in length.
A large congregation Of friends as.
sembled at the Baptist church yes
terday afternoon, at the last services
held in his honor. The Messrs. J. L
Parsons, j. w. Wingate, T. E. Bow
man, W. A. Helm, Frank Goodman
and S. W. Raymond, friends Of more
than a quarter of a century, acted
as pail bearers. Rev. Mr.. Gaines de-
livered comforting message.
A long line of carriages formed the
procession which we..4ed its way to
Greenmount, where interment took
place.