Lambert Molinelli – Missoulian Owner
Lambert Molinelli – Missoulian Owner
Died at St Patrick’s Hospital Early Yesterday Morning
Will Be Buried from the Catholic Church Monday Morning at 9:30 O’Clock – Sketch of His Life
Following a season of suffering extending over a period of nineteen months the hand of death was laid upon Lambert Molinelli yesterday morning at 6:30 o’clock and brought to a close an eventual life, and one in which industry and inflexible attention to duty were at all times predominating features.
Lambert Molinelli was born in Leghorn, Italy, June 30, 1853. When one year old he accompanied his parents to San Francisco, California, where he was reared and educated, remaining there until 1877. He was matriculated in Santa Clara College, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1870, being then 17 years of age. His first experience in journalism was in Eureka, Nevada, whither he had gone in 1877, and here he remained five years in newspaper work and also in the office of the district court. He went from Nevada to Salt Lake.
In 1882 Mr. Molinelli made his initial visit to Montana. Locating in Butte he became associated with the Butte Miner upon which he was employed for several years. Subsequently, he published Town Talk, a spirited enterprising daily which, under his management, achieved considerable success, but was destroyed by fire. He then went up to Helena where for four years he was, successively, city editor of the Independent and Evening Herald. In 1889 he settled in Missoula where he continued to reside up to the time of his death. His first venture in newspaper work in this city was in the capacity of manager of the Gazette, with which he remained for several years. Later he purchased the Missoulian and merged the two journals into one, under the name of the Missoulian. Following this he became editor-in-chief of the Democrat-Messenger, at that time a daily paper, and he was connected with this journal at the time he was seized with what proved a fatal illness.
His death was caused by dropsy. During the past week he was unconscious the greater portion of the time. He had been a great sufferer, and death came to him as a most beneficent relief. Mr. Molinelli was married and leaves a widow and a boy twelve years of age to mourn his loss.
In business, public and social life he was very popular and had won the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of acquaintances throughout both county and state. He was a prominent member of the Montana Press Association, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Pythias. The funeral will occur from the Catholic church Monday morning at 9:30 o’clock. The pall bearers selected are as follows:
R. Gettings, Fred Pearson, B. T. Nesmith, Bruce Wells, A. L. Stone and Emil Turk.
The above obituary appeared in the Missoula newspaper, Edwards’ Fruit Grower and Farmer, September 6, 1901.