The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-16
ALL. POTTS DIED AFTER VERY
BRIEF ILLNESS
WeII-Known Gentleman Who Had Served
His Country in Indian Wars; Present
ed With Medal BY the United States
Government For Bravery; Member OF
City Council and NicoIIet County
Board; Excellent Man
From Fridays Daily.

from fridays Ddiiys
Albert j. Potts. well-known res
ident of st. Peter, and who had
many acquafntances in this city, is
dead from an apopletic stroke. He
was taken ill Wednesday night and
died about ten o'clock. He was for
many years an alderman in st. Pet
er. He was fifty-siM years old.
At the age of seventeen Mr.. Potts
learned the plumbing trade. He was
employed sin Chicago, afterward in
Minneapolis, and then he enlisted in
the United States army, in which he
spent five years.
In the winter of 1S90-91, his regi-
ment, the Third United States infan-
try, was one of those sent into South
Dakota to -subdue the Sioux Indians,
and thus Mr. Potts participated in
the last important Indian campaign
in this country. He was with the
troops who were engaged at the bat
tle~of Wounded Knee, and later was
selected to carry an important mes
sage from his immediate command
ing officer to the headquarters of
General Miles. This mission was
periIous in the extreme, as Mr.. Potts
and the Indian scouts accompanying
him encountered band of hostile
Sioux and engaged in a running
Night that lasted the better part of
day. In the exchange of shots the
the foot, but he finally succeeded in
beating off the pursuing band and
delivered his message. Years after
ward the government gave official
recognition of this feat by awarding
him faithful service medal.
Mr. Potts was a public spirited
citizen. He had given valuable serv-
ice as public official, both as a
member of the city council and the
board of county commissioners. In
1906 Mr.. Potts was elected to the
city council and served six years.
Then followed four years on the
which he was chairman of that body.
Two years ago he was again elected
to the council, and for some months
past has been it's presiding officer.
The deceased took prominent
part in the organization of st. Peter
Council, Knights Of. Columbus; and
was Past Grand knight of that fra
ternity. He was also "a member OF
the Ancient Order of United Work
men. In those organizations,>as else
where, Mr.. Potts was known as a
man who was staunch and loyal in
his friendships.
On October 2, 1895, Mr.. Potts was
united in marriage to Miss Rosa ].
Brandt, who remains to mourn the
loss of a devoted husband His sud-
den death was tremendous shock
to Mrs. Potts, as it was to their
daughter, Miss Hazel Potts, who is
student at the College of st. Tere-
sa in Winona Miss Potts was called
home from Winona yesterday morn
ing, but was not informed of her
fathers death until she reached St.
Peter.
Besides his wife and daughter,
Mr.. Potts is survived by two broth
ers: William H. Potts of Chicago,
and John e. Potts of Los Angeles,
Cal. A third brother, Edwin S.
Potts, passed away several years ago
in Mexico, where he was engaged in
the mining business.
Funeral services will be held from
st. Peters Catholic church, of which
the deceased was member, at ten
o'clock tomorrow morning. Rev. Fa-
Their Moran VII conduct the services
and the remains will be laid to rest
in Calvary cemetery.
$780,