FIRST  STEP BY  COUNCIL

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ASKS PENSION FOR WIDOW

Resolution by Bennighoff in Accordance with Previous 
         Notice- Tribute to Brave Officer.

       To Pension Mrs. Hannah

	Pursuant to his notice given 
at a former meeting Alderman 
Bennighoff offered the 
following self-explanatory 
resolution:

"Be it resolved by the 
honorable council of the city 
of Billings, county of 
Yellowstone, state of Montana:  
Recognizing the fact that merit 
and fidelity to duty in any 
position, however humble, 
should receive its just meed of 
praise, and is entitled to more 
than empty flattery of words, 
and taking consideration of the 
fact that the relation of the city 
to its officers is that of the 
employer and employee,, and 
that the direction and 
management of the affairs of 
the city is vested in the mayor 
and council, from whom only 
can come just recognition for 
unusual acts of fidelity on the 
part of the city's officers, and 
furthermore that the mayor and 
council have learned from 
experience that only the best 
materials obtainable should 
compose the force of men in 
the employment of the city, 
and especially in the 
department of police officers, 
this council, as a mark of its 
appreciation of the bravery of 
Police Sergeant Robert T. 
Hannah, who was killed on the 
morning of July 2, while in the 
brave and fearless discharge of 
his duty, and in discharge of 
what the council considers a 
just debt to the widow and 
children of this brave officer, 
does hereby resolve that the 
city of Billings shall pay the 
said widow a stipulated sum 
each month, the payments to 
continue so long as she shall 
live or remain a widow, the 
amount of said monthly 
payments to be agreed upon by 
the council in regular form at a 
date as early as the matter may 
be brought before this body.  
(It is hereby suggested that the 
said amount be fixed at $35.)

The undersigned fully believes 
that in the passage of this 
resolution a precedent will be 
created that will better insure 
the loyalty of the police 
officers to the city, as it is an 
implied assurance that the 
brave discharge of their duty 
will receive just and righteous 
recognition at the hands of 
those who now and hereafter 
may have the affairs of the city 
in their discharge.

     "Respectfully submitted, 
         "George F. Bennighoff"

	Matter is Referred.

The resolution was discussed 
at some length and the 
resulting discussion brought 
out a general desire on the part 
of the aldermen to give it 
favorable consideration.  When 
notice was given by Mr. 
Bennighoff of his intention to 
introduce a resolution to grant 
a pension to Mrs. Hannah 
some doubt was expressed as 
to the council's power to grant 
it.  Investigation of the law 
revealed that no legal obstacle 
existed to such a course, the 
statutes being silent upon the 
subject.  A question arose, 
however, in the minds of some 
of the aldermen as to the city's 
financial ability to meet the 
addition obligation imposed 
should the resolution be 
adopted.

In order that no hasty action 
might be taken, the matter was 
referred to the finance 
committee, with instruction to 
make a thorough investigation 
and report at the next meeting 
of the council.

	Tribute to Valorous 
Officer.

Aldermen Bennighoff and 
McElroy and City Attorney 
Matheson, the special 
committee appointed at the last 
session of the council to 
prepare and report resolutions 
on the death of the late Robert 
T. Hannah, police sergeant, 
killed by robbers the morning 
of July 2, submitted the 
following, which was 
unanimously adopted:

"Whereas, Robert T. Hannah, 
sergeant of police, formerly an 
alderman of this city, and for 
many years an honorable and 
respected citizen of Billings, 
was on the morning of July 2, 
1904, foully murdered while in 
the faithful discharge of his 
duty as a peace officer, while 
attempting to arrest two 
robbers engaged in the 
commission of a crime:

"Be it resolved by the city 
council of the city of Billings 
that a vote of sympathy be 
tendered to the widow and 
orphan children of the 
deceased officer in their 
sorrowful bereavement in the 
loss of a kind and devoted 
husband and father; be it 
further
"Resolved that the council 
desires to express the high 
esteem entertained by the 
members of the council and by 
the citizens of Billings toward 
the deceased as a capable, 
brave and efficient officer and 
an upright and public spirited 
citizen, who in every capacity 
in which he served his fellow 
citizens at all times evinced his 
zeal for the public welfare and 
his fearlessness in the 
discharge of his duty.  He 
perceived his duty and with 
unfaltering step pursued it, 
regardless of danger.  His 
martyrs death at the hands of 
midnight marauders is deeply 
deplored by all good citizens; 
but his loyalty, courage and 
fidelity of purpose will ever be 
cherished by all who love true 
manhood.

"Resolved that these 
resolutions be spread upon the 
minutes of this council, that a 
properly engrossed copy be 
delivered to the widow of the 
deceased, and that copies be 
furnished to the local press for 
publication.

The Billings Gazette
Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, Tuesday, July 22 1904