Held up a Funeral

This was the Philipsburg Mail headlines on August 18, 1899, with the subtitle “Eccentric Proceedings of Two Intoxicated Men.” On Sunday Afternoon while coming from Garnet a team carrying the remains of Charles Cox “was held up by H. Triggs and Joe Morton, who had indulged in stimulants to the extent they concluded they owned the highway and were bosses of the road.” The men riding with the remains of Mr. Cox were J.R. Cox and W.T. Allison (Coroner) and the team was driven by an employee of Boyd’s Stables. 

 “Triggs and Morton who were traveling in a single rig overtook the body on the grade this side of Flint and in a rather unceremonious manner, with violent language, demanded that they be given the right of way forthwith and proceeded to enforce orders with the aid of a shotgun. The grade is narrow and there was not room at this point to turn out, but realizing they were in danger of being shot the driver lost no time in getting out of the roadway and over the grade. After passing the funeral party the drunken individuals halted and would not permit the funeral party to proceed for fully a half hour, and finally, after much persuasion on the part of Mr. Allison, they drove on, after using some very abusive language and terrifying the gentlemen having charge of the remains. County Attorney Josiah Shull upon hearing of the incident, promptly filed an information against the offenders and they were arrested and lodged in jail to answer a very serious charge. Triggs and Morton are both very well known here, having resided in the county for many years and it would seem liquor is entirely responsible for their conduct. A few months in the county bastion may have a wholesome effect.” 

 The men received a sentence of ninety days and fined $100 each for their conduct. 

Charles Cox had been a miner in the area for some time and research revealed that he was living in Tower in May 1897 and won a Cake Basket at a benefit there. He was found dead in his room at the McDonald Hotel in Garnet on Saturday August 12th, 1899. It was ascertained the death was the result of Heart Failure. He was about 33 years of age and his only known relative was his brother in Philipsburg, J. R. Cox. 

Following the above encounter the man was allowed to rest in peace after a funeral service at his brothers home, under the auspices of the Granite Miner’s Union of which Charles was a member. Unfortunately there is no headstone or record of Charles in the Philipsburg cemetery.