The Starkville News., September 30, 1904
Dead.
On Sunday evening last at 1 o'clock. Col. W. B. Montgomery, one of the honored and most conspicuous characters of the vicinity breathed his last and his soul took its everlasting flight to the God who gave it. To properly characterize man, the task should fall to others abler than the writer.

Col. Montgomery was born in the State of South Carolina, seventy-five years ago last August and removed with his father's family to (this) Oktibbeha County when a mere child where he has ever since resided up to the day of his demise. His father, Mr. Hugh Montgomery, departed this life many, many years ago, but his mother; Mrs. Iby Montgomery, died in or about the year 1893, having attained the ripe old age of 95 or 96 years; only one member of the immediate family surviving, a brother, Mr. C. R. Montgomery, highly esteemed, respected and beloved by all who know him. He was a graduate of Princeton College, N. J. a man of education, great culture and splendid attainments. Form, fashion or popularity had no Influence with him. He was a man of strong convictions and still stronger the courage to advocate a stand by them. We never knew of a man with greater individuality and personality than Col. Montgomery. He was always right on every moral question and not a man who took stock in expediency or policy; these had no place with him in dealing with morals and law; they should be literally construed and executed and with some, he no doubt, was regarded as radical and extreme in his views.

Col. Montgomery never aspired to political preferments. In politics he belonged to the grand old party, the Whig Party, before the war between the States. Since the war he has been independent in politics, though most invariably affiliated with and voted the prohibition ticket.

Col. Montgomery had been married twice, his first wife a Miss Gillespie, a daughter of the late Dr. W. C. Gillespie and the other a Miss Glenn a daughter of the late W. H. Glenn, both lovely and charming women and of the most elegant and prominent families, whose influence was for good, of the county. Before the war he was one of the largest planters in East Mississippi and he and Maj. Morris McCarthy, formerly of Columbus, Mississippi, formed a co-partnership and were commission merchants in Mobile until the breaking out of the war. Maj. McCarty died several years since in Atlanta, at the advanced age of eighty years. After the war the firm resumed business and continued in business four or five years when Col. Montgomery returned and devoted his whole time to agricultural pursuits and embarked in the raising of Jersey cattle. In this industry he spent thousands of dollars and at one time he owned the largest Jersey herd in the South, if not in America.

In this he expended thousands of dollars; many of his cattle died before becoming acclimated, but this did not In any wise dishearten or discourage or in any manner divert him from his ideas or plans. He determined to succeed and every body knows that he did and that this county was made famous through him as a cattle and hay county. There is no possible doubt about Col. Montgomery being instrumental in locating the A. & M. College here In 1879; it Is not a proposition of debate.

This noble and grand institute will ever stand as a living monument to his zeal, efforts and many personal and financial sacrifices. No pile or shaft of stone or marble can form a greater monument in perpetuation of his memory and greatness.

For twenty-five years he was local trustee of this College and only resigned the honored and responsible position a little over twelve months ago, because of the fact that he recognized that his physical condition was inadequate for the emergency. Recognizing the valuable and eminent service of this great man, the President, J. C. Hardy and Faculty of this great state institution made the request of the family of the deceased, that as a mark of high esteem and appreciation of the life and character of Col. Montgomery, that his remains be taken to the College Chapel and the funeral services there be conducted. The reasonable request was granted and at 2:30 p. m. on Monday the 27th of September, 1904 Dr. Wilkin, pastor of the United Presbyterian church, the church of the deceased of which he had been a devoted and constant member for more than 50 years, preached the funeral sermon, most feeling and touching,

This eminent divine was followed by distinguished personages as follows, in the order named: Gen. Stephen D. Lee, President J.C. Hardy, Prof. B. M. Walker, on behalf of the College faculty, D.W. Houston, of Aberdeen, representative of the Alumni and Dr. H. R. Raymond, pastor of the Presbyterian church who had known the departed from his youth up, when they were young men; each paid beautiful and loving tributes to the life and character of this intellectual and positive man in life.

The Store houses of the town and other places of business were closed and all business suspended out of respect to the memory of the deceased during the funeral and burial exercises.

After the services were had at the College, the funeral procession proceeded to the Odd Fellows' Cemetery where the last sad rites were performed and all that was mortal of the late Col. W.B. Montgomery were solemnly and tenderly laid at rest by sympathetic and considerate friends in the presence of his immediate family and innumerable relative and friends.

In testimony of the high regard and esteem in which he was held the largest procession ever known or had in this community was on this solemn occasion.
Such men never die, foe they live in hearts left behind. We all, the entire community, mourn the loss of such a useful man as was Col. Montgomery.

The Starkville News, October 07, 1904,
Resolutions of Respect.

Whereas, since it hath pleased an All-wise Providence to remove from the scenes of this world Colonel William B. Montgomery who was local trustee of this, the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, for twenty-five years, therefore be it resolved by the Faculty of this Institution at its regular meeting Friday, September 30th, 1904:

1. That In his death this College and the cause of Industrial Education in this State have lost their staunchest friends and ablest companion,
2. That in his noble and useful life we recognize an example of that purity of heart, rectitude of conduct, force of will, and matchless moral courage which characterize it as worthy of emulation by all who would attain to the maximum of true greatness, an honest, God-fearing man.
3. That In this hour of grief we extend to the bereaved wife and family and to the host of relatives and friends our tenderest sympathy, hoping that time may heal the wound and make the remembrance of his Innumerable virtues a happiness to all who were close to his generous heart.
4. That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this Faculty, that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased, and that a copy be furnished to the public press.

W. H. Magruder,
B. M. Walker,
J. C. Herbert,
A. B. McKay,
J. W. Fox