Dillon Tribune, 06 March 1942
Dillon's Oldest Citizen Taken by Death Thursday
James E. Phillips, 91, pioneer resident of the county for 60 years, Indian fighter and grandson of a Revolutionary war soldier, died yesterday evening at the ranch home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a very full and colorful life. He had been in ailing health the past two or three months and had not been into town since Thanksgiving.
Born 11 years before the Civil War, he outlived four wars and saw his country engaged in another great work conflict before he was called to his last reward. He was a youth during the Civil War in chich he lost his father; he took part in the Indian wars, and helped on the home front through the Spanish-American and first World wars.
Held in high esteem by the man who knew him during his long residence, his passing marks another loss to the thinning ranks of Montana's pioneers who knew the full meaning of hardships and stood the test of rugged individualism.
Mr. Phillips was born in Prinston, N.C. Sept 18, 1850, the grandson of Fort Thompson Phillips, a soldier in the Revolutionary war who served under General George Washing. His father, although a Union Sympathizer, was forced to serve in the Confederate Army, was captured and died in a Federal prison. (He is buried Liberty Cemetery, Moultie Co., IN)
In 1864, with his mother and two younger brothers, he moved to Illinois and later to Missouri. As a young man of 18 he came west in 1868 to the Black Hills, South Dakota territory to work as a chainman of the U.S. Geological Survey. Two years later he had his first taste of Indian warfare when he took charge of a pack train under the cemmant of Captain Egan, and a few years later, in 1876, he found himself in the midst of Sitting Bull's uprising against the whites when he became chief packer for General George G. Crook. Crook's division was one of three engaged in the campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians that were on a rampage in the Black Hills and southern Montana country.
Two other divisons participating in this famous Indian war were cemmended by General John Gibbons out of Fort Ellis, Mont., and General Alfred H. Terry who advanced westward from Fort Yankton in Dakota Territory. Serving under Terry was General George A. Custer who was later ambushed with his men at the battle of the Little Big Horn. General Crook's force was attached first on the Rosebud river, but the natives were repulsed. Phillips recalled several years ago when interniewed.
He said that General Crook's company was only 25 miles away from the Little Big Horn on June 24 when General Custer and his company of 262 officers and soldiers were massacred in one of the bloodiest Indian battles recorded. Phillips never visited the battlefield bu said that "Custer sold his life dearly, there were dead Indians scattered all along this trail." American forces under Generals Crook and Miles fought the Indians throughout the following winter and finally forced Sitting Bull to retire with his warriors in Canada.
For several years after Phillips, now a seasoned Indian fighter, engaged in handling pack trains and vehicles for the army in its skirmishes in Dakota, Montana and Tyoming. He came to know all the famous characters of the Black Hills section such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.
Of Buffalo Bill, Jim said, "He was well liked and courteous. If he had any outstanding fault, it was his ability to tell bigger and better tall stories than any man I've ever knows." Calamity Janes, he termed, "the most over-rated woman in history, she was only would-be tough."
In 1880, Mr. Phillips returned to Illinois and married Laura Carter, a native of that state, and two years later came with his bride to the then two-year-old town of Dillon. This country attracted him and he lived here for the remainder of his life.
During this period he engaged in ranching, leasing a rance on Birch Creek and later operating the Charles Meine property. In 1906 he organized the Phillips Livestock company. After his retirement from ranching, he established an employment office in the Andrus hotel which he operated up until last summer. He served as county coroner for 19 years, retiring in 1940.
Surviving him are four children, two sons, John A. Phillips of Anaconda and E.E. Phillips of Los Angeles, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Webster of Dillon, and Mrs. Frank Stanfield of Missoula.
His first wife died in 1914 and his second in 1940. (Note: Laura A. Phillips died 06 Sept 1916 per her death certificate.)
Upon occasion of his 90th birthday which he celebrated Sept 18, 1940, he was honored at a family dinner here and received congratulations from many old time friends.
The body is at the Brundage funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 pm from the Methodist church with Rev. J. A. Meeke in charge.
----
Dillon Tribune 09 March 1942
Last Rites Held This Afternoon for James Phillips
Dillon's oldest resident, James E. Phillips, 92, was laid to rest this afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery. Funeral services were held before many old timers who remembered Jim Phillips in the early days when he operated ranches in this vicinity. The Rev. J. A. Meeke was in charge of services.
Palbearers were Charles Nelson, Sam Ditty, George Gosman, Paul Temple, E.W. Bond, and Ray Standfield.
Mr. Phillips died Thursday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a long and useful career. He came to the Black Hills territory as a young man and became an army packer and engaged in a number of campaigns against the Indians. He had been a resident of Dillon for the past 62 years.
* James Edward Phillips married 1) Laura A. Carter, 3 Nov 1878 Sullivan, Moutrie Co., IL; 2) Justina M. Austin 8 April 1917 Beavenhead Co., MT.
Dillon's Oldest Citizen Taken by Death Thursday
James E. Phillips, 91, pioneer resident of the county for 60 years, Indian fighter and grandson of a Revolutionary war soldier, died yesterday evening at the ranch home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a very full and colorful life. He had been in ailing health the past two or three months and had not been into town since Thanksgiving.
Born 11 years before the Civil War, he outlived four wars and saw his country engaged in another great work conflict before he was called to his last reward. He was a youth during the Civil War in chich he lost his father; he took part in the Indian wars, and helped on the home front through the Spanish-American and first World wars.
Held in high esteem by the man who knew him during his long residence, his passing marks another loss to the thinning ranks of Montana's pioneers who knew the full meaning of hardships and stood the test of rugged individualism.
Mr. Phillips was born in Prinston, N.C. Sept 18, 1850, the grandson of Fort Thompson Phillips, a soldier in the Revolutionary war who served under General George Washing. His father, although a Union Sympathizer, was forced to serve in the Confederate Army, was captured and died in a Federal prison. (He is buried Liberty Cemetery, Moultie Co., IN)
In 1864, with his mother and two younger brothers, he moved to Illinois and later to Missouri. As a young man of 18 he came west in 1868 to the Black Hills, South Dakota territory to work as a chainman of the U.S. Geological Survey. Two years later he had his first taste of Indian warfare when he took charge of a pack train under the cemmant of Captain Egan, and a few years later, in 1876, he found himself in the midst of Sitting Bull's uprising against the whites when he became chief packer for General George G. Crook. Crook's division was one of three engaged in the campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians that were on a rampage in the Black Hills and southern Montana country.
Two other divisons participating in this famous Indian war were cemmended by General John Gibbons out of Fort Ellis, Mont., and General Alfred H. Terry who advanced westward from Fort Yankton in Dakota Territory. Serving under Terry was General George A. Custer who was later ambushed with his men at the battle of the Little Big Horn. General Crook's force was attached first on the Rosebud river, but the natives were repulsed. Phillips recalled several years ago when interniewed.
He said that General Crook's company was only 25 miles away from the Little Big Horn on June 24 when General Custer and his company of 262 officers and soldiers were massacred in one of the bloodiest Indian battles recorded. Phillips never visited the battlefield bu said that "Custer sold his life dearly, there were dead Indians scattered all along this trail." American forces under Generals Crook and Miles fought the Indians throughout the following winter and finally forced Sitting Bull to retire with his warriors in Canada.
For several years after Phillips, now a seasoned Indian fighter, engaged in handling pack trains and vehicles for the army in its skirmishes in Dakota, Montana and Tyoming. He came to know all the famous characters of the Black Hills section such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.
Of Buffalo Bill, Jim said, "He was well liked and courteous. If he had any outstanding fault, it was his ability to tell bigger and better tall stories than any man I've ever knows." Calamity Janes, he termed, "the most over-rated woman in history, she was only would-be tough."
In 1880, Mr. Phillips returned to Illinois and married Laura Carter, a native of that state, and two years later came with his bride to the then two-year-old town of Dillon. This country attracted him and he lived here for the remainder of his life.
During this period he engaged in ranching, leasing a rance on Birch Creek and later operating the Charles Meine property. In 1906 he organized the Phillips Livestock company. After his retirement from ranching, he established an employment office in the Andrus hotel which he operated up until last summer. He served as county coroner for 19 years, retiring in 1940.
Surviving him are four children, two sons, John A. Phillips of Anaconda and E.E. Phillips of Los Angeles, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Webster of Dillon, and Mrs. Frank Stanfield of Missoula.
His first wife died in 1914 and his second in 1940. (Note: Laura A. Phillips died 06 Sept 1916 per her death certificate.)
Upon occasion of his 90th birthday which he celebrated Sept 18, 1940, he was honored at a family dinner here and received congratulations from many old time friends.
The body is at the Brundage funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 pm from the Methodist church with Rev. J. A. Meeke in charge.
----
Dillon Tribune 09 March 1942
Last Rites Held This Afternoon for James Phillips
Dillon's oldest resident, James E. Phillips, 92, was laid to rest this afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery. Funeral services were held before many old timers who remembered Jim Phillips in the early days when he operated ranches in this vicinity. The Rev. J. A. Meeke was in charge of services.
Palbearers were Charles Nelson, Sam Ditty, George Gosman, Paul Temple, E.W. Bond, and Ray Standfield.
Mr. Phillips died Thursday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a long and useful career. He came to the Black Hills territory as a young man and became an army packer and engaged in a number of campaigns against the Indians. He had been a resident of Dillon for the past 62 years.
* James Edward Phillips married 1) Laura A. Carter, 3 Nov 1878 Sullivan, Moutrie Co., IL; 2) Justina M. Austin 8 April 1917 Beavenhead Co., MT.
Dillon Tribune, 06 March 1942
Dillon's Oldest Citizen Taken by Death Thursday
James E. Phillips, 91, pioneer resident of the county for 60 years, Indian fighter and grandson of a Revolutionary war soldier, died yesterday evening at the ranch home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a very full and colorful life. He had been in ailing health the past two or three months and had not been into town since Thanksgiving.
Born 11 years before the Civil War, he outlived four wars and saw his country engaged in another great work conflict before he was called to his last reward. He was a youth during the Civil War in chich he lost his father; he took part in the Indian wars, and helped on the home front through the Spanish-American and first World wars.
Held in high esteem by the man who knew him during his long residence, his passing marks another loss to the thinning ranks of Montana's pioneers who knew the full meaning of hardships and stood the test of rugged individualism.
Mr. Phillips was born in Prinston, N.C. Sept 18, 1850, the grandson of Fort Thompson Phillips, a soldier in the Revolutionary war who served under General George Washing. His father, although a Union Sympathizer, was forced to serve in the Confederate Army, was captured and died in a Federal prison. (He is buried Liberty Cemetery, Moultie Co., IN)
In 1864, with his mother and two younger brothers, he moved to Illinois and later to Missouri. As a young man of 18 he came west in 1868 to the Black Hills, South Dakota territory to work as a chainman of the U.S. Geological Survey. Two years later he had his first taste of Indian warfare when he took charge of a pack train under the cemmant of Captain Egan, and a few years later, in 1876, he found himself in the midst of Sitting Bull's uprising against the whites when he became chief packer for General George G. Crook. Crook's division was one of three engaged in the campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians that were on a rampage in the Black Hills and southern Montana country.
Two other divisons participating in this famous Indian war were cemmended by General John Gibbons out of Fort Ellis, Mont., and General Alfred H. Terry who advanced westward from Fort Yankton in Dakota Territory. Serving under Terry was General George A. Custer who was later ambushed with his men at the battle of the Little Big Horn. General Crook's force was attached first on the Rosebud river, but the natives were repulsed. Phillips recalled several years ago when interniewed.
He said that General Crook's company was only 25 miles away from the Little Big Horn on June 24 when General Custer and his company of 262 officers and soldiers were massacred in one of the bloodiest Indian battles recorded. Phillips never visited the battlefield bu said that "Custer sold his life dearly, there were dead Indians scattered all along this trail." American forces under Generals Crook and Miles fought the Indians throughout the following winter and finally forced Sitting Bull to retire with his warriors in Canada.
For several years after Phillips, now a seasoned Indian fighter, engaged in handling pack trains and vehicles for the army in its skirmishes in Dakota, Montana and Tyoming. He came to know all the famous characters of the Black Hills section such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.
Of Buffalo Bill, Jim said, "He was well liked and courteous. If he had any outstanding fault, it was his ability to tell bigger and better tall stories than any man I've ever knows." Calamity Janes, he termed, "the most over-rated woman in history, she was only would-be tough."
In 1880, Mr. Phillips returned to Illinois and married Laura Carter, a native of that state, and two years later came with his bride to the then two-year-old town of Dillon. This country attracted him and he lived here for the remainder of his life.
During this period he engaged in ranching, leasing a rance on Birch Creek and later operating the Charles Meine property. In 1906 he organized the Phillips Livestock company. After his retirement from ranching, he established an employment office in the Andrus hotel which he operated up until last summer. He served as county coroner for 19 years, retiring in 1940.
Surviving him are four children, two sons, John A. Phillips of Anaconda and E.E. Phillips of Los Angeles, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Webster of Dillon, and Mrs. Frank Stanfield of Missoula.
His first wife died in 1914 and his second in 1940. (Note: Laura A. Phillips died 06 Sept 1916 per her death certificate.)
Upon occasion of his 90th birthday which he celebrated Sept 18, 1940, he was honored at a family dinner here and received congratulations from many old time friends.
The body is at the Brundage funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 pm from the Methodist church with Rev. J. A. Meeke in charge.
----
Dillon Tribune 09 March 1942
Last Rites Held This Afternoon for James Phillips
Dillon's oldest resident, James E. Phillips, 92, was laid to rest this afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery. Funeral services were held before many old timers who remembered Jim Phillips in the early days when he operated ranches in this vicinity. The Rev. J. A. Meeke was in charge of services.
Palbearers were Charles Nelson, Sam Ditty, George Gosman, Paul Temple, E.W. Bond, and Ray Standfield.
Mr. Phillips died Thursday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a long and useful career. He came to the Black Hills territory as a young man and became an army packer and engaged in a number of campaigns against the Indians. He had been a resident of Dillon for the past 62 years.
* James Edward Phillips married 1) Laura A. Carter, 3 Nov 1878 Sullivan, Moutrie Co., IL; 2) Justina M. Austin 8 April 1917 Beavenhead Co., MT.
Dillon's Oldest Citizen Taken by Death Thursday
James E. Phillips, 91, pioneer resident of the county for 60 years, Indian fighter and grandson of a Revolutionary war soldier, died yesterday evening at the ranch home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a very full and colorful life. He had been in ailing health the past two or three months and had not been into town since Thanksgiving.
Born 11 years before the Civil War, he outlived four wars and saw his country engaged in another great work conflict before he was called to his last reward. He was a youth during the Civil War in chich he lost his father; he took part in the Indian wars, and helped on the home front through the Spanish-American and first World wars.
Held in high esteem by the man who knew him during his long residence, his passing marks another loss to the thinning ranks of Montana's pioneers who knew the full meaning of hardships and stood the test of rugged individualism.
Mr. Phillips was born in Prinston, N.C. Sept 18, 1850, the grandson of Fort Thompson Phillips, a soldier in the Revolutionary war who served under General George Washing. His father, although a Union Sympathizer, was forced to serve in the Confederate Army, was captured and died in a Federal prison. (He is buried Liberty Cemetery, Moultie Co., IN)
In 1864, with his mother and two younger brothers, he moved to Illinois and later to Missouri. As a young man of 18 he came west in 1868 to the Black Hills, South Dakota territory to work as a chainman of the U.S. Geological Survey. Two years later he had his first taste of Indian warfare when he took charge of a pack train under the cemmant of Captain Egan, and a few years later, in 1876, he found himself in the midst of Sitting Bull's uprising against the whites when he became chief packer for General George G. Crook. Crook's division was one of three engaged in the campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians that were on a rampage in the Black Hills and southern Montana country.
Two other divisons participating in this famous Indian war were cemmended by General John Gibbons out of Fort Ellis, Mont., and General Alfred H. Terry who advanced westward from Fort Yankton in Dakota Territory. Serving under Terry was General George A. Custer who was later ambushed with his men at the battle of the Little Big Horn. General Crook's force was attached first on the Rosebud river, but the natives were repulsed. Phillips recalled several years ago when interniewed.
He said that General Crook's company was only 25 miles away from the Little Big Horn on June 24 when General Custer and his company of 262 officers and soldiers were massacred in one of the bloodiest Indian battles recorded. Phillips never visited the battlefield bu said that "Custer sold his life dearly, there were dead Indians scattered all along this trail." American forces under Generals Crook and Miles fought the Indians throughout the following winter and finally forced Sitting Bull to retire with his warriors in Canada.
For several years after Phillips, now a seasoned Indian fighter, engaged in handling pack trains and vehicles for the army in its skirmishes in Dakota, Montana and Tyoming. He came to know all the famous characters of the Black Hills section such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.
Of Buffalo Bill, Jim said, "He was well liked and courteous. If he had any outstanding fault, it was his ability to tell bigger and better tall stories than any man I've ever knows." Calamity Janes, he termed, "the most over-rated woman in history, she was only would-be tough."
In 1880, Mr. Phillips returned to Illinois and married Laura Carter, a native of that state, and two years later came with his bride to the then two-year-old town of Dillon. This country attracted him and he lived here for the remainder of his life.
During this period he engaged in ranching, leasing a rance on Birch Creek and later operating the Charles Meine property. In 1906 he organized the Phillips Livestock company. After his retirement from ranching, he established an employment office in the Andrus hotel which he operated up until last summer. He served as county coroner for 19 years, retiring in 1940.
Surviving him are four children, two sons, John A. Phillips of Anaconda and E.E. Phillips of Los Angeles, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Webster of Dillon, and Mrs. Frank Stanfield of Missoula.
His first wife died in 1914 and his second in 1940. (Note: Laura A. Phillips died 06 Sept 1916 per her death certificate.)
Upon occasion of his 90th birthday which he celebrated Sept 18, 1940, he was honored at a family dinner here and received congratulations from many old time friends.
The body is at the Brundage funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 pm from the Methodist church with Rev. J. A. Meeke in charge.
----
Dillon Tribune 09 March 1942
Last Rites Held This Afternoon for James Phillips
Dillon's oldest resident, James E. Phillips, 92, was laid to rest this afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery. Funeral services were held before many old timers who remembered Jim Phillips in the early days when he operated ranches in this vicinity. The Rev. J. A. Meeke was in charge of services.
Palbearers were Charles Nelson, Sam Ditty, George Gosman, Paul Temple, E.W. Bond, and Ray Standfield.
Mr. Phillips died Thursday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Webster, after a long and useful career. He came to the Black Hills territory as a young man and became an army packer and engaged in a number of campaigns against the Indians. He had been a resident of Dillon for the past 62 years.
* James Edward Phillips married 1) Laura A. Carter, 3 Nov 1878 Sullivan, Moutrie Co., IL; 2) Justina M. Austin 8 April 1917 Beavenhead Co., MT.
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