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- Anaconda Standard, Montana, Saturday, February 2, 1918
Pioneer W.E. Bass Stevensville, Dead
First Man To Plant Fruit Orchard In Montana
With his brother, he settled on big ranch in Bitter Root valley
Veteran of the war against the Nez Perce Indians in early days
Stevensville, Feb. 1. ? In the death here Wednesday of W.E. Bass the state lost one of its most prominent pioneers. Mr. Bass was nearly 80 years old, and had been in a serous condition for several months. Mrs. Bass was one of the earliest of the pioneer residents of the Bitter Root valley. Funeral services were conducted at the home Friday afternoon at 2 o?clock and interment was made in Maplewood cemetery.
Mr. Bass was a native of West Randolph, Vt. He went to Kentucky when a very young man, afterward moved to Missouri. In 1863 he and Mrs. Bass came to Montana. They spent the first year of residence in this state at Alder gulch and Virginia City. Not being particularly successful as a placer miner, Mr. Bass embarked in the stock business and came to the Bitter Root valley in 1864 because of the better pasture here for horses and cattle.
In company with his brother, D.C. Bass, who died in 1913, Mr. Bass established the famous Bass ranch, one of the finest and most productive in the valley. They later established the first commercial apple orchard in the valley and for years supplied the Butte, Helena and Anaconda markets. A few years ago they sold the ranch, moved to town and built a handsome residence, possibly the finest in the valley, with the exception of the Marcus Daly summer home near Hamilton.
Mr. Bass was a member of the settler company which took part in the Nez Perce war in 1877. He took and active part in public affairs until recently, when failing health prevented him from being out much. He is survived by his wife.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1838 - 1918 (79 years)