WILLIAM KRUSE KOHRS

Pictured above, a postcard of the William K. Kohrs Memorial Library

WILLIAM KRUSE KOHRS

Born: 1 November 1879, Deer Lodge, Montana- Died: 20 March 1901, Ithaca, New York

Special Dispatch to the Standard.

Deer Lodge, March 20, 1901: Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Kohrs Received sad news today in the form of a telegraphic dispatch from New York informing them at the death of their son, Will. Last Tuesday he was operated upon for the removal of appendicitis, and the reports reached by wire were that the operation had proven successful, but a change for the worse set in and at an early hour yesterday morning he passed away. Intelligence of his death has cast a deep gloom over Deer Lodge, where the young man was beloved by all who knew him. Will Kohrs was 22 years of age. He was born in Deer Lodge and spent his early life here. Later he went away to school and took a preparatory course that admitted him to Cornell university, where he acquitted himself with signal honors. He took an elective course in mechanical engineering, but close application to study had a depressing effect on his health and a. change at climate was deemed necessary. After taking a rest for a few months he again resumed his studies, entering the Columbia school of mines, where he was at the time of his death. He was the youngest child and only son of his parents, a boy at kindly disposition and noble ambition. possessing lovable traits of characters that endeared· him to his parents, sisters and friends. He had always been considered of delicate constitution, but his death came as a surprise and shock to his parents.He was a member of PhiGamma Delta fraternity.1

The William K. Kohrs Memorial Library in Deer Lodge was dedicated May 30, 1903. Cattle king Conrad Kohrs and his wife Augusta built and furnished the building in memory of their only son, William Kruse Kohrs, who died at 20. It was donated to the city, along with the first 3,000 volumes. Designed in a modified Corinthian style, the main walls are of solid brick faced with dressed Columbus sandstone. The corners are quoined with Cariboo porphyry. The huge stained glass window depicts "A Reading from Homer." The library is on the National Register of Historic Places for both its architectural and historical significance. In addition to its library services it is home to the Powell County Literacy Program, Montana Job Service office and Powell County Genealogy Society.


Reference

1. Anaconda Standard Mar 21, 1901: DEATH OF WILL KOHRS: Young Man of Deer Lodge Expires in New York.



The distressing news has been received by relatives here of the death of William Kohrs, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Kohrs of Butte, Mont. His death occurred last Wednesday at the Cornell College at Ithica, N. Y., where he was attending school. The cause of death was appendicitis. Conrad Kohrs, father of the young man, and well known all over the west as Cattle King of Montana, visited this city last week and left Tuesday evening for Chicago, where he had business prior to his return to the far west. At 2 o’clock on the following day the news of the death of his son was received by his brother Henry Kohrs of this city.

The young man was 22 years of age. He was well known in this city as he visited his relatives here nearly every year. He spent time here last summer. The news of his death will be a great shock to all who knew him. Besides his bereaved parents he is survived by two sisters, one of whom was to be married in a very short time. At the time his father was here he had not learned that his son was even sick.

Reference

1. The Davenport Weekly Leader, Tuesday March 26, 1901