Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-02-14


ably Brilliant Man.
From the Sedalla Democrat, Feb. 81
A profound sensation was prOduc-
ed in this city yesterday by the short
which appeared in the
Democrat of the death of MIR. WIN.
H. Mugford, at $3.50 u. IN. Itis mat
ter of no surprise that the death OF a |
man like Mr.. Mugford should create
a general feeling of sadness, for he
had lived in Sedalia for nearly de-
cade, was generally known, universal
ly loved and respected, and generally
conceded to be one of the most gifted
writers in the state. During his
long stay here he had occupied
place on one of the daily journals,
and had welded his pencil and lent his
influence to every enterprise inaugu-
rated, and in many instances was the'
first TO suggest steps which. pursued
have made Sedalia what she Is to-
day.
About two months ago Mr.. Mug
foro, who was never a man OF robust
constitution, sho we'd signs of giving
down, but having brave heart, re-
fused to give up, and actually per.
formed the arduous duties imposed
by a morning newspaper when he
should have been in bed.
Two weeks ago to-day he wa
forced to give up to disease, or rather
general debility, and take his bed.
Even then he was more considerate
as to the welfare of others than to
his own, and insisted that he requir-
Ell 10 particular attention at the
hands OF his friends. But poor
s.Mug" was feebler than he imagined
and grew worse and weaker day by
day until he was forced to realize his
dangerous condition. He received
the most skillful medical attention,
the best of nursing from devoted
wife, and every care from the MEM
bers of his craft, but nothing couid
stay the ravages of his disease. He
grew so weak that he could not speak
above a whisper, aud while i'll this
condition was visited by the writer,
who shared his friendship and trials
for seven years, and in response to
the question, "How do you feel
sMug?'" calling his friend by name,
replied, 81 feel as though the old
machine was worn out and used up
and will have to be run into the
round-house for REPAIRS"
This fully expressed his condition
thirty years of hard labor Oh daily
newspaper had worn out the machine,
but the day for repairs had been too
long delayed, aud there was none so
skillful, as to restore it to its former
usefulness, aud at the hour mentioned
at the commencement of this article,
poor "Mug" went to sleep in death.
He went out like candle deep III
the socket, and his spirit took its
| flight as quietly as that OF babe.
Yesterday his old comrades and
friends called to looked once more
upon the form they had almost idol
,Zed aud to drop silent tear. He
looked almost as natural as thougi
living, and hard, indeed, was it tt
realize that he was dead, that ''life's
titful fever" was over, and that his
CHEEKY voice would never be heard
again. But his kind acts, his noble
qualities, and his generous deeds will
never be forgotten by those who
knew him.
MIR. Mugford was born in Hartford
Connecticut, on the 17th day OF May
1887. He developed the remarkable
traIts which afterward made him
prominent, even i'll his youth, and h'
was educated tor all actor and after
ward placed undar the tutelage o
John E. Loweli,a famous elocutionis
of New Haven. But Mug was neve
intended for All actor and at th'
age of twelve removed with his par
cnts to st. Louis, where shortly at
ter, he became all apprentice to tn
printing business in the Office OF Tin
old Evening News. He served all ap
premiership of five years and wa
turned out finished printer in tn
t true sense of the word, having learn
ed all departmentsof the trade. AT
ter working year or so as Journey
man he was promoted to the fore
manship of the Office in which h
learned his trade, and which positio
he filled acceptably to employer ali
g employe.
Gu the 11th of May, 1857, at tn
age of 19, he was married to Mis-
e Eliza Hcimig, who survives him. ii
continued to work at his protessio
in ST. Louis until the war broke OF
, the Union, and enlisted in compan
composed solely of printers, intende
S tor the regiment known as "Merrill
: Horse" But the services of "Mus
were found more valuable III the o
t fee than in the field, and he was d
tached to perform clerical duties I
headquarters of the department
: St. Louis. Then his health faile
him, and he was honorably dl
charged and returned to his chose
d profession. After working cat tt
). case" in all the prominent southel
cities, he returned to the west al
IS made journey with his fami
l. across "the plains" to Denver, whe
he worked on the Commonwealt
!" then the rival of the News. "Mus
80 was what was known In the profe
sion as an "union printer" aud w
a staunch advocate of the principl
ut of the order. He becaHle involve
.s in a strike made by the "union
whereby he lost his position on tt
E. News, when he determined to retu
ID to "the states" This journey W
performed in all OK train and requir
I'll long weeks of travel. At O'Fallol
IS Bluff, a prominent point on the o
overland route, his only daught
a' sickened and died. This was Mu.
ig first great trouble, and to lllustra
-. his tender feelings, as well as
talent as poet, the following bca
Id titul lines, never before publishe
I are now produced: