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Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, September 28, 1889
Answered Death?s Call
William R. Bassett, One of Chicago?s Well Known Characters, Passes Away
A Simple, Honest, Kind-hearted Man Whom the Poor Will Badly Miss
William R. Bassett
None of those who knew him in life, however remotely, will hear without a pang of regret that ?Billy? Bassett died at a little before 7 o?clock yesterday morning at his residence, No. 1329 Wabash avenue. The familiar nickname by which every one knew him may seem somewhat out of place now that death has come, but the man was so genial, so unaffected, so kind-hearted that none ever thought of addressing him by anything other than the familiar and endearing title.
Mr. Bassett?s death had been expected ever since an attack of apoplexy struck him down Wednesday night. He never regained consciousness afterward.
The career of Billy Bassett was not particularly eventful, but it was in many respects a remarkable one. He began life in Chicago something like thirty years ago as a ?bus driver, and when he quit this life he left an estate worth from $35,000 to $40,000. It was all amassed through his own perseverance and honest industry.
He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1840, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Gustavus Bassett, who have resided in Buffalo for over sixty years. Though he had no brothers, he was blessed with five sisters, and, as is usual in such cases, was the idol of the family. His father conducted and still carried on quite an extensive hat, cap, and fur business in Buffalo. When William quit school he didn?t care to follow in the footsteps of his father. He wanted to build his own fortune, and in compliance with his request he was sent to Chicago. This was some time before the war.
Upon his arrival in Chicago he was given a situation in the hat, cap and fur store of Bassett & Hammond, the senior member of the firm being his uncle. A fortnight in this business was enough, and he quit it and started out on his own hook.
Left to his own resources, he hired himself out to S.B. and M.O. Walker as a ?bus driver. He remained in this position a year or so, and at the end of that time had saved up enough money to buy a hack and team of horses of his own. He was genial and accommodating, and his business thrived. In the course of a few years he opened a livery stable, which is now estimated to be worth over $20,000.
No man in the Second Ward, whether in politics or one of it, was more popular than Billy Bassett. Generous to a fault and always in a good humor, was his normal condition. No man ever went to him in want and came away empty-handed.
?I drove a hack for him for over fifteen years,? remarked Gus Otis, one of the old-time hackman, last night, ?and in all that time I never knew him to do a mean thing. Many?s the time I?ve seen fellows come to him hard up, and he always helped them out.?
?That?s so,? put in Charlie Moynihan. ?I drove for him six years. I remember, not long before I quit driving for him, we were out to Mount Greenwood Cemetery and he bought a lot. It surprised me, and I asked what he wanted it for, and he answered with a good natured augh. ?If any of my boys die there is a place for them.? Not long after that a roustabout who worked in his stable died, and though the fellow had only worked in the barn two weeks, he paid all his funeral expenses. That wasn?t the only time I have known him to pay for burying boys who died out of luck. Several times I remember of his hearing of the death of someone he had known in prosperity, but who owing to hard luck, died penniless. He would go around quietly and put up the money to give them a decent funeral.?
?I have known Billy Bassett a good many years,? said John Long, of the Park Theater, ?and a kinder-hearted man I never knew. Never made much of a display, but many are the follows that he has bridge over financial troubles by his generous assistance. I?ll venture to say that no one will miss him mor than the poor of his neighborhood. If he heard of any family in distress he couldn?t rest easy till he had given them help. Another thing about Billy, you always knew where he stood. He wouldn?t be your friend to your face, and the minute your back was turned cut your throat. Whatever he said you could count on.?
?Some years ago he opened a restaurant at No. 336 South Side street,? said Charlie Matthews, and old friend, ?and for over a year and a half he kept a kind of open house there for his friends. Whenever one of the boys would come around broke, Billy would give him a good square meal and never charge him a cent for it. He was an excellent eaterer, but the best of them can?t run a business on perpetual tick, and a year ago he sold out.?
Mr. Bassett?s father arrived yesterday, and other members of his family will arrive in time for the funeral. The service will be conducted from the Railroad Chapel, No. 1421 State street, Sunday morning at 10:30 o?clock.
The sermon will be preached by the Rev. C. M. Morton. The burial will take place at Mount Greenwood Cemetery. The funeral train will leave Polk Street Depot at 12 o?clock. His friends are invited to attend.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1840 - 1889 (48 years)