JENKINS, Lucetta Jane

JENKINS, SCOTT, JONES

Posted By: Bob Jenkins
Date: 4/6/2023 at 16:08:12

Lucetta Jane Jenkins (nee Jones)

submitted by Bob Jenkins

In Memorium
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(from Fremont County Herald January 5, 1912)

Death Claims One Who For Half Century Had Called Sidney Home

In the Death of Mrs. Lucetta Jane Jenkins, which occurred at an early Thursday morning. Sidney has lost another of the truly pioneer citizens. Deceased was born at Cumberland Maryland, October 1, 1840, and therefore past 71 years of age when called to answer the final summons.

Left an orphan at a tender age, was taken into the home of an uncle, William Scott, and reared to womanhood. In the early 1860's the Scotts emigrated westward and located at Sidney, leaving their neice in the native state. But glowing tales of the then far west going back at intervals fired the young woman with a desire to become a part and parcel of the new life adopted by her kindred, and in 1862 Miss Jones, for such was then her name, followed to Sidney and once more took her place in the Scott household.
The Scotts at that time conducting Sidney's only hotel, a widely known hostelry harbored all the passengers sway from river to river of the overland stage. Here Miss Jones met W. L. Jenkins a dashing young westerner, driver of one of the stage lines, later superintendent of the overland express, and the acquaintance culminated in the marriage of the pair on Feb 1, 1863, Col. E. S, Hedges, justice of the peace performing the ceremony.

From that day to the last Mrs. Jenkins knew no other home, and few were they indeed who could relate more ancient history of town and county than she. With the passing of the stage coach the husband settled down to home life and afterward served the town and county in various capacities. For seven years the pair lived in the old jail, the husband serving one term as sheriff and five years as jailor under Major Morgan. In those days the criminal element, while probably less numerous than today, was of desperate and vicious character and the position was one to call for absolute fearlessness on the part of both the jailor and wife. In this respect Sheriff Jenkins found the partner of his joys and sorrows in nowise wanting and oft was the time her courage and wits were put to the severest test in the absence of the husband.

Seven children were born to this union, four of whom died in childhood. The husband and father departed this life nearly six years ago. Those remaining are County Auditor Frank B. Jenkins and Edward of Sidney and Harry who lives in Riverton. Years ago Mrs. Jenkins united with the Presbyterian church in this city and remained steadfast in her faith to the end. The funeral will be conducted from that church this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock conducted by pastor, Rev. D. H. Cramer, assisted by Rev. Frank Caldwell of the Methodist church and the remains will be interred in Sidney cemetery.