Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-03-24

Worlds tribute to Judge Hunton follows:
Judge Thomas Hunton, resident OF
this territory since 1873, and one of the
most widely known citizens of the section,
died at the Wheatland hospital yesterday
morning, age &C years. Although he has
been failing for years, Judge Hunton's
condition has been alarming only the past
two weeks. Hardening of the arteries,
arresting the circulation, was the immedi-
ate cause of death.
The funeral occurred from the Episco-
pal church at 4 90 clock Thursday after
noon and interment was made in the
Wheatland cemetery. All the business
houses of the city closed for the hour be-
tween four and five o'clock, as mark OF
the deep grief felt for the departure OF this
distinguished citizen
The funeral was largely attended. Old
friends of the deceased, who have been
watching his condition for the past sew
eral days with increasing alarm and sor-
row. turned ont to pay their last respects,
crowding to the church and following the
remains to the grave.
In early young manhood Judge Hunton
was afflicted with heart trouble, but his
free life on the plains in the early days
apparently made him sound man, and
tor years, or up to the beginning of his de-
cline, he was in the hest of health. AT
that time, however, the heart action be-
came bad, and he was started on the
down grade. Every effort made to check
his failing health proved fruitless.
Ten days ago a gangrenous afectation
appeared in one of his legs and his suffer
ing became intense. He was taken to the
Wheatland hospital, where, after other
methods failed to afford relief, the leg
was amputated. Local anesthesia was
used for the operation, the nerve blocking
method being resorted to on account OF
the condition of the patients heart.
While the operation quieted the pain
and relieved the sufferings OF Judge Hun
ton, the succession of the malady could
not be checked, although every thing
known to science was done to relieve his
condition. The hardening of the arteries
continued until the circulation became
affected in all parts Of the body and death
resulted.
Judge Hunton was born in Madison,
Va, on October 2, 1853, and received his
education in the schools of that State.
In April, 1873, he arrived at Bordeaux
a boy lees than twenty years of age. Al
that time John Hunton, brother, was
located at Bordeaux, then station on
the old freight road to the Black Hills.
He was one of the very earliest business
men of Wyoming. Thomas Hunton was
taken in and assisted his brother John
for a number of years, or until 1882,
when he revisited his old home in Vir-
ginis, renewing his acquaintance with
Miss Mora Evans, childhood companion,
and welded her.
The call OF the new West was strong in
Thomas Hunton's blood, and bringing
his bride he returned to this section.
Soon after this John Hunton, who had
been very large factor in the develop
ment of this territory, and who had
widened his interest greatly, turned over
the business at Bordeaux to Thomas
Hunton, who conducted it for number
of years or until Wheatland gave promise
of being an important point, when he re.
moved here, opening the livery and stock
business which he retained up to the
time OF his death.
Judge Hunton was a man of great ma
tive ability and was highly regarded by
his fellows. He was prominent in all
counsels, and has been real factor in
the development Of this section of the
State OF Wyoming. He was man oil
action, fearless, broad minded, outspoken
in his belief and forceful in his express
sions. While at Bordeaux he was postmas-
ter and here he was justice of the peace fol
many years, position which brought
out his fair-play characteristics promi-
nently. The past two years he has held
the position of court commissioner. He
has been prominent in politics and was
one whose counsel was sought widely in
the democratic party.
During his years with his brother John
at Bordeaux, Thomas, together with his
brother, was in number of brushes with
the Indians, and while watching some
stock over on the Chug, another brother,
Jim, was killed and the stock in his
charge run off. A little later the Indians
made another raid on the stock on the
Chug and ran away a considerable bunch.
A number of citizens, among whom was
Judge Hunton, reinforced by several
soldiers, pursued the redskins over into
the Reshaw hills and there came upon
them Just at night. A fight resulted in
which one soldier was killed. Owing to
the fact that night was near, the Indians
succeeded in getting away, taking the
stock with them.
Judge Hunton leaves besides his wife,
six children. They are, John at Laramie
Dean, attending Howard University I;
Thomas, Wheatland; JAS, Whestland,
and Miss Mora and Master Don at home.
He is also survived by his brother, John