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Robert Hippolyte Pontet

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Robert Hippolyte Pontet

Birth	:	22 Dec 1840 Ireland
Death	:	22 Apr 1919 Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Union Cemetery, Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.4474983, -75.3478012
Plot	:	Old Highland
Description	:	The following from Find A Grave contributor "Cara" reat Falls Daily Tribune (MT), 23 April 1919 Former Police Head Perishes In Flames. Robert Pontet, Aged Pioneer and For 12 Years Head of Police Department, Burned to Death In His Bed Robert Pontet, aged 75, for 30 years a resident of this city and for 12 years chief of the Great Falls police department, was burned to death early Tuesday morning in the attic bedroom at the family home, 327 Fifth avenue north, in a fire that originated from an electric light wire, and A.E. Peterson a... Read More	The following from Find A Grave contributor "Cara" reat Falls Daily Tribune (MT), 23 April 1919 Former Police Head Perishes In Flames. Robert Pontet, Aged Pioneer and For 12 Years Head of Police Department, Burned to Death In His Bed Robert Pontet, aged 75, for 30 years a resident of this city and for 12 years chief of the Great Falls police department, was burned to death early Tuesday morning in the attic bedroom at the family home, 327 Fifth avenue north, in a fire that originated from an electric light wire, and A.E. Peterson a Great Northern electrician was terribly burned about the head, face and hands while attempting to rescue the former chief. The blaze was discovered at 7:30 by Opal Pontet, the granddaughter of Mr. Pontet, her screams awakening her uncle, Newell Pontet, a boy 14 years old. Newell was sleeping in a room adjoining the one occupied by his father and rushed immediately to the old gentleman's assistance, entering to find much of the interior a solid bank of flames and his father prostate on the bed. Mr. Pontet was alive and spoke incoherently to his son, but for a reason that is not entirely explained, refused to arise. Newell is of slight build, appearing not to be more than 10 years of age, and was unable to lift his father, but had succeeded in raising him to a sitting position when he threw himself back on the pillow. Aware of the futility of working further alone the boy started for help, but was attracted by the cries of 4-year-old Muriel Fritz, another niece who was also sleeping in an adjoining room. Grabbing the girl from the bed he started towards the stairs but was blocked by the blaze that by this time filled the attic. He hoisted the girl onto the bannister, climbed up himself and dropped with her to the first landing, a distance of about seven feet. After taking her to the floor below, he returned to his father, struggling through the fire to learn that Peterson had rushed up while he was going down with his niece and that the bed on which his father was lying was completely walled round with fire. He was slightly burned around the neck before he was able to get back again to the second floor. Peterson's efforts to save Mr. Pontet were heroic. Disregarding his burns, he ran to the bed and made a desperate attempt to gather the old man up and take him to a window, but human endurance found its limitations before he succeeded. Mr. Pontet's struggles loosened the hold Peterson had on his legs and he staggered back against the window his hands breaking the glass and sustaining severe cuts. Taking a breath at the opening thus made, Peterson went back to the bed, but he was forced to abandon his task. The window opened over a flat roof and he groped his way down to safety, reaching the ground and assistance in a semi-conscious condition and with burns that will confine him to the hospital for a long time and leave him disfigured for life. Robert Pontet had been a resident of Montana for 37 years, coming first to Glendive from Bismarck, N.D. in 1882. He lived there seven years, removing to Williston, N.D., in 1889, and after a short stay in that city he came to Great Falls, where he afterward resided. Prior to his appointment to the office of chief of police, he was in the liquor business, disposing of his interest in 1905, when he took over the reins of the department. He served continuously until 1917, when his resignation was tendered because of his advanced years and failing health. During the past year he had experienced a severe physical breakdown and was in an enfeebled state. Monday he took a short walk and as a result of this exercise was unable to leave his chair for the remainder of the day. Had it not been for Mr. Pontet's failing faculties, he would have been able to escape from the attic before the flames reached his bed. Mr. Pontet is survived by Mrs. Pontet, two sons and two daughters. The sons are Newell Pontet of this city, Ed Pontet of Montague, Mont., and the daughters are, Mrs. Archie Fritz of Great Falls, and Mrs. Francis Bennison of Port Kennedy, Penn. There are also several grandchildren.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Robert Hippolyte Pontet's memorial?
Robert Hippolyte Pontet's memorial is located at: Union Cemetery, Quakertown, Bucks County, USA.
When did Robert Hippolyte Pontet death?
Robert Hippolyte Pontet death on 22 Apr 1919 in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Robert Hippolyte Pontet's memorial?
Latitude: 40.4474983
Longitude: -75.3478012

Family Members:

Children

Edward A Pontet

(1882 - 1963)

Carroll Robert “Cal” Pontet

(1884 - 1903)

Flowers:

Left by Anonymous on 17 Dec 2014

In memory

Left by Anonymous on 04 May 2020

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Union Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4474983, -75.3478012

2. Saint Isidore Catholic Church Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4462000, -75.3484000

3. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4403000, -75.3471000

4. Richland Friends Meeting Burial Ground
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4376000, -75.3532000

5. East Swamp Mennonite Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4545000, -75.3828000

6. Flatland Mennonite Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4436000, -75.3104000

7. Richlandtown Union Cemetery
Richlandtown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4719000, -75.3192000

8. Rocky Ridge Mennonite Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4218750, -75.3151040

9. Old Richland Cemetery
Richlandtown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4554220, -75.3014740

10. Christ Church Old Section Cemetery
Trumbauersville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4127400, -75.3808100

11. Christ Union Cemetery
Trumbauersville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4134300, -75.3837600

12. Swamp Mennonite Church Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4675600, -75.4070200

13. West Swamp Mennonite Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4572000, -75.4114000

14. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery
Zionhill, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4824142, -75.3944168

15. Bryan Burying Ground
Strawntown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4708000, -75.2862000

16. Stricker Cemetery
Trumbauersville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4082985, -75.3981018

17. Hoffman Burial Ground
Gruversville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5012000, -75.3247000

18. Gruversville Cemetery
Gruversville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5019000, -75.3233000

19. Saint Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Applebachsville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4802300, -75.2726900

20. Springfield Church of The Brethren Cemetery
Passer, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5176000, -75.3459000

21. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Spinnerstown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4346000, -75.4412000

22. Tohickon Cemetery
Bedminster, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4227982, -75.2549973

23. Haycock Mennonite Cemetery
Quakertown, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4716148, -75.2524948

24. Ridge Valley Cemetery
Sellersville, Bucks County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3741989, -75.3786011