Died in His Western Home Silas Durst, A Former Resident of Garrett County, and For Many Years Lost Sight of, Died in South Dakota To the Editor of The Republican. Over thirty years ago Silas Durst and his cousin, Jacob Durst, sons and twin brothers. [sic] Harry and Jacob Durst, left their adjoining homes in New Germany, in Garrett County, for the far west. Their enterprising and energetic natures impelled them to the Rockies. For the first few years they were as close in actions and movements as they were in blood. Still in some strange way in the course of time they became separated and practically unknown to each other. Ere many years passed Jacob died in his far away home. For some years in the beginning of the change of residence a home correspondence was kept up with the family, consisting of a father, mother, half dozen sisters and three brothers. The correspondence, ere many years passed, between the wandering son and the home people came to an end and no one knew the real cause. The good parents, brothers and sisters all believed the absent son to be dead; at least his whereabouts were unknown. The far away son through a strange imagination believed himself to have been forgotten or forsaken by the dear ones at home, hence he wrote no letters home for many years. More than a dozen years ago Jacob Durst, the father, died leaving a considerable estate, which in due time was settled up and Silas treated as a dead heir, and in legal contemplation he was so, as he had not been heard from within the time -seven years- which causes the presumption of death. But to the surprise and gratification of many about seven years ago he was discovered by a former near neighbor at the Black Hills, South Dakota, busily and prosperously engaged in mining. The home situation was explained to him by his discoverer. He at once declared his intention to return to his old home to see the remnant of his family. He occasionally wrote home promising a return, but there was always something to prevent it. He continued at his prosperous business-mining copper principally- with the standing promise to return, but instead of that realization about the middle of July past several telegrams came from Rapid City, SD, announcing his sudden death at a hotel in that place among strangers. He was buried at his home or place of business in Hill City with all proper respect and attention. Quite the tribute was paid him by a newspaper of that place. He was credited with being one of the locaters of the famous Blue Lead Copper Mine, said to be the earliest of the country. It is said he labored and toiled there for about twenty-five years in the face of many difficulties, but he helped to make it a success while he yet lived. He left a considerable estate. No children; never married. His heirs are his brothers and sisters. His age was in the neighborhood of 55 years. His brother, William Durst, has gone or will go to Hill City to look after the estate. He is said to have been well thought of in his remote place of abode and death, and he will certainly be kindly remembered by the few who once knew him well. OLD ACQUAINTANCE August 24, 1901