A telegram from Col. J.J. Steadman to The Nonpareil last night announced that J.B. ATKINS died at Los Angeles, California. J.B. Atkins was a citizen of Council Bluffs for nearly forty years. He located here in the summer of 1866, after a varied experience in the western and southwestern territories and on the Pacific coast. He was born near Detroit, Michigan, 65 years ago. When he came to Council Bluffs he opened a drug store in a small wooden building, which he erected for the purpose near the site of the brick building he subsequently built and occupied continuously with his drug store until August 19 of this year when he retired from business.

It is believed that the body of Mr. Atkins will be brought here for interment in Fairview, where he had often expressed the desire to take his final sleep. It is understood to have been his wish that in case of his death during the winter the family should remain in California until spring, placing his body in a vault at Los Angeles until they were ready to return. At the present time it is believed that his wishes in this respect will be carried out. With Mr. Atkins at the time of his death were his wife, his son Henry, and his grandson, Thomas B. Lacey, Jr., and Dr. T.B. Lacey.

The remains of J.B. Atkins, who died at Los Angeles, California, December 5, last year, arrived in the city yesterday morning, accompanied by the family who have been spending the winter on the Pacific coast. Since the death of Mr. Atkins last December his remains have been resting in a receiving vault at Los Angeles in accordance with his own request that the family stay in California until spring before bringing him back to Council Bluffs for final interment. Mrs. Atkins, the son, Henry C. Atkins, Dr. T.B. Lacey and T.B. Lacey, Jr., accompanied the remains home. They all are in quite good health, Mrs. Atkins especially being better than shortly before their start for Iowa. Dr. Lacey is also in fair health.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon from the family residence, corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.

As Mr. Atkins was one of the pioneer and most prominent Masons of the state, a number of grand lodge, grand chapter and grand commandry officers are expected to attend the funeral Sunday. He was also prominently identified with the establishment of Templar Park at Spirit Lake, where hundreds of Iowa Masons and their families annually enjoy their summer outings. Mr. Atkins was a veteran of the civil war and an early member of Abe Lincoln Post No. 29, G.A.R.