The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-07-18
From The Kansas { Nlissouri) Public Ledger
o. June 20.

From The Kansas (.Nlissouri) Public Ledge,
Of June 20.
DEATH OF COL. LUKE LEA.
A pail Of gloom was thrown over
our citizens on Wednesday morning
last, by the announcement that Col.
Luke Lea had. the previous evening.
been thrown from his horse. near
Westport, and so much injured as 10
cause his almost instant death. This
startling intelligence. it was hoped.
might prove untrue or exaggerated;
but we soon received n note from a
friend at Westport. which confirmed
the report. and dispc|Ied our last lin
gering hope. that even though the ac-
cident might have occurred, it might
not have been attended with fatal
consequences.
Col. Lea has left, besides a large
circle Of afflicted relatives. "troops Of
friends" here and else where. who will
long remember his many virtues. and
mourn the dispensation which has sud
denly deprived his children of so kind
ard amiable father, community of
so honorable member. and the pub.
lie service Of so upright and valuable
an officer.
The following obituary notice has
been sent us:
cOMMUNICATED
DEATH or COL. LUKE LEA.
Indian Agent Of the Fort Leavsnporth
Agency.
This event occurred on the nth
inst. about 5 o'clock p. M. while on
his way from Westport. Missouri.
about ll:2 miles out, to his residence
at the old Agency. He was thrown
from his horse. and so severely in.
iu!ed. that he died in a very short
time after the occurrence Of the &C.
cident One o. our citizens. Mr.. Jus
tice.) got to him before he expired, and
was assisted by some black people,
but too late to relieve h m. He Was
in!fne health and spirits; and just got
through, successfully. with all the
Indian payments Of his Agency; when
thus unexpectedly terminated the
earthly career of one devotedIy be-.
loved by his relatives and friends, and
highly respected and esteemed by all
who knew him Intimately.
Col. Lea was from the State OF
Tennessee one of her favorite sons
He served CALAMITY in Florida, under
Gen. Jackson, in the Indian wars; was
a member of Congress, for four years,
from East Tennessee; and for thirty
years discharged the Iaborious duties
ofCashier Of The State Bank and Reg.
lister of the State Land Office Of Ten
nessee, with distinguished ability, fl
deity and great applause. Like that
of the venerable Judge White. Col.
Luke LEAFS name became proverbal,
in Tennessee, for official integrity
and devoted patriotism.
Unsolicited, he received his appoint.
mrnt to the office of Indian Agent of
the Fort Leavenworth Agency, in
ls40. from Presiden, TAYLOR; and the
same high and honorable motives
which had ever prompted all his ac-
tons characterized his official course
for the brief time he discharged the
complicated duties-quite new to him
--of this office. and he was highly
respected and esteemed by the Indians
under his charge. and by the citizens
of Western Missouri.
Impartial, just and honest in all his
acts and motives, the memory of this
talented, good and patriotic man will
ever be cherished with admiration by
all worthy men who had been favored
with any knowledge Of his noble and
kind heart. and the many generous
acts OF his life. He discharged. with
Roman frmness. all the duties of his
last office, and acquitted himself with
that prompt, urbane and impartial
Justice which endears and marks the
character of the noble patriot.
- Col. Lea was in the 9Th year Of his
age. He leaves three worthy sons
four amiabIe daughters, and many
highly respectable relatives and
friends, in Missouri and Tennessee, to
mourn the melancholy loss Of the kind
est and best of fathers. the truest and
most devoted o. kinsmen and friends
and one who NAV be justly numbered
amongst the truly good. eminent and
distinguished men of our country.
Westport, No., June 10, 1851.