The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-04-04

Libby Mining Man,
Passes In Spokane
Originated and Developed Large Pusi-
ness from Unknown Mineral-LatAly
Sold to Eastern Capitalists. -

Edgar N. Alley prominent mining
man of Libby, died last Thursday
afternoon about 2 o'clock in the Dea-
coness hospital in Spokane, following
i'll health of the past few years. Present
at the time Of his passing were the
wife, Mrs. Maude E. Alley, two broth
ers and their families, Roy S. Alley Of
Pipestone, Mont, and Enos E. Alley
of Spokane; and brother -in-law and
niece, M. F. Gay and Miss Louise Gay
of Libby.
Funeral services were held Saturday
afternoon at o'clock from the Hazen
& Jaeger parlors. Brief Episcopal serv-
ices were conducted by Mr.. Alleys
pastor, the Rev Richard Price and by
Dean McAllister of ST. Johns cathedral
Of Spokane. Six Masons acted as pail
bearers. The only music was pipe organ
refrains. Burial was in the Riverside
cemetery in Spokane by the side Of
Mr.. Alleys father, MIR. Shannon S. Alley.
Mr.. Alley was born in WILDER, Neb.,
on May II, 1878, and would have been
81 at his next birthday. On April IL,
19O8 he was married to Miss Maude
E. Barton in Portland, Ore. Mr.. and
Mrs. Alley moved to Libby in May,
1913, where they have since resided.
MIR. Alley will long be remembered
here as the originator and developer
of something new in the industrial
world-a mineral practically unknown
to industry when he became interested
in large deposit here OF what is known
scientifically as vermiculite but to
which he gave the trade name of
Zonolite, naming his company The
Zonolite Company Mr. Alley started
the active development of the property
in the early '2Os and by his persistency
and determination saw it gradually
develop from nothing to business
not only of national but of an in
ternational scope. Mr. Alley originated
methods for processing the material,
as well as developing markets for the
finished product During the past two
or three years he interested Detroit
capitalists in the business, Mr.. Alley
remaining in the capacity of president
and general manager He had been in
poor health for the past several years,
but remained in active charge until a
few days ago when he was removed
to the Spokane hospital.
Other notes regarding Mr. Alleys
life tells us that in early manhood he
located in Madison county, Mont,
where he engaged in ranching. Later
he removed to Butte where he began
his mining career, being employed for
some time by the A. c. NJ Co. When
the war with Spain was declared he
enlisted and served with Grigsby's
Rough Riders. He enjoyed a wide ac-
quaintance all over Montana Frater-
nally he was a member of the Masonic
order and belonged to Algeria Temple
of the Shrine at Helena. He was a
member, also, of the Elks' lodge at
Kalispell. He was an Episcopalian.
Surviving relatives include his widow,
Maude E. Alley, of Libby, two broth
efs, Roy S. Alley of Pipestone and
Enos E. Alley of Spokane; sister,
Maude c. Alley of Washington, ID. c.,
and sister-in-law, Mrs. Archie Miller
of Butte; also six nephews and five
nieces.
Friends from Libby who attended
the funeral were Mrs. w. A. Hills
Mrs. A. w. Nyblom, Mrs. James Black
ford, Jr., Miss Marjorie Stevens, who
had been Mr.. Alleys secretary for q
number of years; Mr.. and Mrs. Gus
Lundgren, Mr.. Lundgren being plant
superintendent in Libby; and Mr.. M. f
Gay, brother-in in law, and Miss Louise
Gay, niece.
Mr.. Alley had often expressed his
Liking for the following poem and hac
requested that it be carved on his
tombstone. The poem follows:
Shutdown.
When my sun Of life is low, II.
When the dewy shadows creep,
Say for me before I 60,
Now lay me down to sleep
| am at the journeys end,
have sown and must reap;