Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-04-06

John A. Collins, twice mayer Of Great
Falls and who served two terms as
sheriff of Cascade county, died Monday
evening at the Deaconess hospital after
an illness of six days, from acute ap-
pendicities. He was taken to the hos
pital on Wednesday morning, March 81,
suffering from sudden attack and when
he was operated upon it was found that
the case was very serious one and
the patient entertained but slight hope
from the first that he could survive.
He did, however, rally somewhat and
appeared to be making a very slight
improvement on Saturday, but that was
lost on Sunday and the end came early
Monday evening.
Mr.. Collins was born at incardine,
Ontario, on September II, 1896, the
son of William and Mary Collins. The
father died two years ago and the
mother survives, making her home In
this city with a daughter, Mrs. Rich
ard Graham. When but q years OF
age, he came to the United States, max
ing his way westward and settling in
the city of Great Falls in 1889, when
the city was but new and became one
spected citizens, being honored with
the chief official positions of both city
and county and being wide and popularly
known throughout the northern part Of
Montana.
When Mr.. Collins came to Montana
in 1889 the work of building the wagon
bridge at First avenue north was in
progress and he secured employment
there as his first effort to earn money
in the city. He later engaged in the
plumbing business under the firm name
Of Collins & Goss, the Junior member
Of the firm being Frank G0ss, now
residing at Lewistown. Mr.. Goss was
succeeded in the partnership by the late
W. F. Brown, who, after being with
Mr.. Collins for some years. went from
here to Seattle where he died: At the
retirement Of Mr.. Brown from the
that of the Collins Plumbing e. Heat
ing company and has since been and has
been controlled by Mr.. Collins. 1t has
been the leading concern Of it's kind in
this section of the state and has handled
some of the largest contracts in that
nature.
In 1901, Mr.. Collins sought and was
elected to the office Of mayor OF the
city of Great Falls and he was re-
elected in 1903. serving two terms. he
was a candidate for sheriff OF Cascade
county in 1908 and was elected and an
was returned to that position In the
election of 1910, his term of office
expiring on January /, 1913, when his
chief deputy. Louis II. kommers was
elected. He had held no other public
office. Mr.. Collins was republican and
was always active in the party organiza.
ton. serving on numerous OCCASIONS as
county chairman and always being 9
worker when the party needed service
in managing its campaigns, either city
| county or state.
No civic undertaking that promisec
benefits for the city. county or state
| failed to have the hearty support o.
John A. Collins. He was active in al
lines Of work including the commercial
club, the employers association. ano
other organizations which direct such
effort and when it came to assisting
financially any undertaking Tor tnt eng
work or for any worthy charity. John A
Collins not only was a giver but he wat
helper in getting the funds. During
| the war. he was a consistent patriot ant
whenever there was war work to 90
| he was one of the leaders.
From the standpoint of his everyda.
genial man in northern Montana than he
| Always cheerful and optimistic, NJ
brought with him to his business, to tnt
conference of his organization and II
the circle Of friends with which III
gathered a sunny disposition and
pleasant word and he was not gwen tt