William Jamison
| Date of Interment or Death | 01/03/1936 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 7-2-1 |
Obituary
William Patrick Jamison-1916 “JIMMY VALENTINE” GONE TOHIS REWARD AFTER STROKE OF HEART FAILURE SATURDAY Fell on Street Saturday Night-Carried into City Hall-Died An Hour Later-Buried in Fairview By Friends.
William Patrick, or “Jimmy Valentine”, is no more. Death came to claim him Saturday evening last about ten o’clock. While crossing Dakota avenue at 4th street, he was stricken down by an attack of apoplexy, the third which he had suffered, and death followed within an hour. William Patrick came to Wahpeton three or four years ago, without money and friendless, it seemed. He secured employment at various odd jobs, and finally settled down as janitor in the Jamison building, where he drew a small monthly wage and earned his board at the City Cafe by doing porter work. His peculiarities of manner soon earned for him the name of Jimmy Valentine-a name which stuck and by which he was known throughout the city. The name of Jimmy Valentine was given him in a joking way by “the fellows” about the time the play “Alias Jimmy Valentine” was in the city some three years ago. The real Jimmy was a gentleman crook, and why this name should apply to Patrick we have not learned, except for certain peculiarities of speech or manner. Certain it is that our “Jimmy” was no crook-he was honest, industrious and sober-not very bright, it is true, but a worthy fellow in hard luck, it seemed to most. Saturday night Jimmy borrowed two bits from a friend for the purpose of attending the movie show in Breckenridge-he was fond of the movies. On his return to Wahpeton about nine o’clock, he stepped into the City Cafe, where he met a bunch of fellows who started to josh him. Becoming angered, he stormed out of the Cafe in a rage and started across the street. In the middle of the street the blow came and he fell prostrate. Willing hands carried him into the restaurant, a physician was summoned, and he was carried to the City Hall, where an hour’s earnest work served only to revive him for a second. Death occurred about 10:00 o’clock.
The body was taken to the undertaking establishment of Schmitt & Olson, and efforts were made to communicate with relatives. In his pocket was found a card instructing the authorities in case of an accident to him, to communicate with certain parties of the same name in Wisconsin. This was done, but no answer arrived-either those back home were not there or did not care. “Jimmy” was without funds-so far as we could learn he was
absolutely penniless. A subscription list was passed around among the boys and enough funds were raised for a very respectful funeral. A short service was held Tuesday afternoon, following which the remains were laid away in Fairview cemetery.
“Jimmy Valentine” is gone. Where he came from we don’t know, but we are sure that he was worthy of the little service which the boys were glad to render at the end. His absence from his familiar haunts will long be noticed, and his quint humor and willing presence await him in the Great Unknown to which he has gone.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.