Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-12-17


mony was given as an expression of the
sentiment ielt towards the man who
rirst envisloned city on the site now
occupied by Greet Falls, anticipated itg
place among the future municipalities
OF the west, made possible the system
OF Identification now finding expression
in its parks, boulevards. trees and play
grounds, and whose faith and zeal and
sturdy labors wrought from wilder
ness center known equally for it's homes
and its forward march in the world Of
comm merce.
Thousands Took Part
Thousands of people crowded the
court house lawn and the streets at
Senator Gibson's last birthday party,
which was also his last public appear
ance.
The custom of observing Senator Glib
sons birthday as a Great Falls civic
holiday originated in 1917, when q flower
show was held IN the Hotel Rainbow.
In 1918 more elaborate celebration
was observed in the park which bears
MS name. In 1919 no celebration was
held as Senator Gibson was i'll at the
time and requested that that year be
passed.
Paris Gibson was born at Brownfield.
Oxford county, Maine, on July 1. 1880.
His paternal grandfather, Timothy Glib
son, was an English soldier who served
IN the French colonial wars and later
came to the American colonies. His
maternal grandfather was soldier in the
continental armies, served at the battle
of Saratoga and was present at the SUR
render of Burgoyne
Abel Gibson, father of Paris Gibson,
was born in New Hampshire and was
a farmer and lumberman.
Paris Gibson was graduated from old
Bowdoin college at Brunswick, Me-. in
the class of 1851. Soon after his grad
uation he was elected to the Maine legis-
lature from Oxford county where he
served until his fathers death compelled
him to return to his home to run the
farm.
Went to Minnesota In 1858.
In 1858 Paris Gibson removed to St
Anthony's Falls, Minnesota, which is
now Minneapolis. In association with
G. Eastman he built the Cata-
the panic of sS73 business reverses hit
him heavily and in 1870 he went to Fort
Benton, Mont. associated himself with
Henry Mcdonald and engaged in the
sheep business
The Great Falls of the Missouri river
first came under the observation Of
Senator Gibson in 1882. He SURVEYED
he resources of the surrounding coun-
,ry and became more and more Impress
ID with its possibilities of water power
development. coal, grazing and agricul-
,ure.
Laid Plan Before Jim Hlli.
The plan for city of Great Falls
vas laid before James ]. Hill by Sem
ltor Glbson IN 1884. Two years were
spent in acquiring title to the townsita
md to coal lands. In 1887 the St. Paul
& Manitoba railroad, now
| portion of the Great Northern system.
vas completed to Great Falls.
On August Is, 1855, Mr.. Gibson was
married. to Miss Valeria G. Sweat,
laughter of DIR. Jesse p. and Eliza w.
sweat, who was born in Brownsfield
md was Mr.. Gibson's Junior by nine
ears. Mrs. Gibson died about "a years
go.
The office Of United States senator
vas conferred on Mr. Gibson by the
dontana legislature of 1901, when the
wenty-third ballot broke a long dead
ock. Senator Gibson retired from active
BUSINESS two years ago.
Funeral VIII Be Saturday.
In respect to the often expressed re-
Iuest by Mr. Gibson no flowers will be
ent to his funeral The services will
e held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon
rom the auditorium of the Masonic
emple, with the Rev. Bnrtis Russell
IacHatton Of the First Congregational
hurch officiating. The Masonic lodge
rill have charge. Mr.. Gibson was a
harter member of Masonic lodge IN
Il