The Lamar register., 1918-05-01

b. b. BROWN PUEBLO BANKER
AND ONCE MAYOR is DEAL
Well Known Citizen Fails to Rally
Despite Physicians
Efforts.

of Pueblo, flnancler and capitalist and
for 20 years president of the Western
National Bank, one of the strong
financial institutions of Pueblo and
southern Colorado, died at 9 O'Clock
last night at Minncqua hospital fron
heart trouble from which he had beer
suffering for some time past. Recent
ly Mr.. Browns physicians advised hin
to try lower altitude and he went
to Excelsior Springs, Mo, where he
took the baths. His condition became
critical and he returned to Pueblo on
Thursday of last week. Weakened by
the journey home, he was taken to
Minnequa hospital Friday night. For
the past two days he had been in a
semi-conscious condition most of the
time and it was realized by his rela-
tives and friends that the end was
near.
Mr.. Brown was born in Illinois and
was SO years old. His early life was
spent in train service on various rail
roads, mostly as conductor on passen-
Neb., over the Union Pacific and han
died one of the first regular passenger
trains over the Union Pacific wher
that line was completed across the
continent to the Pacific.
From the Union Pacific he went to
the Missouri, Kansas and Texas road
and was passenger conductor for a
number of years between Parsons
Kas., and Denison, Texas, making his
home at Denison, Texas. He left the
railroad service at Denison, Texas.
and coming TO Colorado about 1887 he
opened bank at Lamar. Later he
was prominent in the consolidation of
three banks at Lamar into the present
First National Bank now operating in
that city.
In the fall of 1896 he came to Pueblo
and purchased the interest of General
Holden in the Central National bank
of Pueblo. In the spring of 1898, about
20 years ago, he effected consolida-
tion Of the Central National and West
ern National banks and was elected
president of the Western National.
Under his management the Westerr
National developed into one of the
strong and influential financial insti-
tutions of southern Colorado. For
years it was located at C street and
south Union avenue and was removed
to Second and Main streets a few
years ago.
When Judge Riser resigned as
mayor of Pueblo, a special election
was held to fill out the unexpired term
and B. B. Brown was chosen mayor.
This was in 1903 and he was reelected
at the regular election which followed
shortly afterward. He has been prom
inent in Republican politics in the city
and state during most Of his long resi-
dence in Pueblo.
Mr.. Brown is survived by his wife
who resides at 407 West Thirteenth
street. Democratic in his manner and
dealings with his fellow men. he had
Il wide personal acquaintance and
hundreds of close friends and business
associates who held him in the highest
regard and esteem. His influence in
commercial circles was widely felt and
his death will be sincerely mourned.-l
Pueblo Chieftain.
The body passed through Lamar on
No. 6 Tuesday morning enroute to
Marengo. Illinois, to be inferred be-
side the body of his daughter and only
child.
Only those who lived in Lamar in
the early days of its history can
realize what b. B. Brown meant to
our city in the dark days just after
the collapse of the big 81 boom, and
the rapid disintegration of hundreds
of what had been apparently thriving
towns in this section. Lamar was hard
hit also, but few strong men held on
and pulled the town through the crisis
safely. One of the strongest of these
leaders and chief financial hacker of
all movements to assist the city out
of the ruts was B. B. Brown; and his
good business sense, financial aid and
steady nerve had large part in not
only starting Lamar on the upward
course, but many of her citizens also.