The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-12
DEB0LT,
PROMINENT man,
DIES, ON SUNDAY
Attack of Heart Proves
Fatal to Citizen Well
Known Here
III ARlNIT IN 0A' 3
i'll ABOUT 10 DA' 5
Seemed Much Improved
Yesterday, Death Comes
Like Flash

George W. DeBolt, aged So,
years, honorcd citizen ami Dromin-
ent business man of this city. died
yesterday evening at 1885 o'clock
at his home at $40 Walnut
avenue after an illness OF ten days
with an affection of the heart COM
plicated with congestion Of the
lungs. Mr.. DeBolt was taken i'll
with an attack OF acute heart trou-
BILE and later congestion Of the
lungs developed and for several
days his condition was regarded
as extremely serious, however in
the past few days he had shown
marked improvement which led
his friends and relatives to hope
that he might eventually recover.
Yesterday he appeared to be i'm
proved AMI chatted with members
Of his family several times during
the day. Last evening without a
moments warning he gave a gasp
and died. All efforts of nurses
and physicians failing to afford
any relief. Acute dilation of the
heart was the Immediate cause of
his death.
When the news was flashed over
the city of the death of Mr.. DeBolt
a pail Of gloom settled over 1t
which it will take long time to
dispel as the friends of Mr.. DeBolt
were legion in this community.
George Washington DeBolt was
born in Masontown, Fayette coun-
ty, Pa, October 80, 1858, and was
a son of John Hamilton and Abi-
gail Howard DeBolt. He attended
the public schools of Unlontown,
Pa, and also the Southwestern
State Normal school, at California,
Pa. In his early manhood he
taught school but later entered the
coal trade which he followed the
remainder 9t his life. For few
years he was an accountant for
the Dunbar Furnace Company at
Dunbar, Pa.
In the year 1887 Mr.. DeBolt
came to West Virginia as acount-
ant for the Montana Coal and Coke
company. He was with this COM
pany until 1901 when he became
associated with the Fairmont Coal
company. (nCA tho Consolidated
Coal company and with his fam
lily resided on Jefferson street. this
city, for a number of years, and
later took up their reslence on tAe
South Side.
Mr.. DeBolt in after years idcnti-
fed himself with the Red Rock
Fuel company of Fairmont and
was with this company until a few
years ago when with his son,
George DeBolt, Jr., he formed the
Despari Fuel company. Mr.. De-
Bolt was president Of the Despard
Fuel company at the time Of his
death.
For a period OF thirty five years
Mr.. DeBolt had been engaged in
tho coal business an there are per
haps few men living in this com
munity today who know the coal
business as we'll as did Mr.. DeBolt.
He was thoroughly conversant
with all phases of coal mining
shipments and other phases OF the
industry and was regarded as au-
thority in matters of this nature.
The offices of the Despard coal
company were only recently moved
from the Masonic temple to tie
Bethlehem coal building on Jeh-
erson street. Although not in the
best Of health Mr.. DcBolt contin-
ued to have active charge of the
holdings OF tae Despard company
and was It's president.
Mr.. Debolt was a splendid man
in every respect and was leader
in all community and civic affairs
He served the city as councilman
for number of years and was
active in politics having been
staunch republican during his en-
tire life. He was prominent in
Masonic circles and was former
grand commander OF the Knights
Templar Of West Virginia. He was
also member of the Fairmout
lodge B. P. o. E. and was one OF
the founders of the Fairmont
country club having served that
organization as president until re-
CSuIlSs I1t was d4oO q AA4uASS ~
the Fairmont Rotary club.
He was man of strong per-
sonality and great dignity of
character and by his quiet reserved
manner commanded the respect
and admiration Of all with whom
he came in contact. In his bust-
ness dealings he was stralghtfor-
ward and honest and his death will
be keenly felt in this community
where he was greatly beloved, Mr..
DeBolt was extensively known
throughout the entire state and in
the East as well. Mrs, DeBolt,
wife Of tho deceased, is one OF the
best known and most prominent
women Of Wost Virginia and was
a few years ago preside ent OF the
West Virginia State Federation OF
Womens Clubs md was quite
prominent In war work during the
World war. Mr.. DeBolt was a
Continued on pRE0 eight