, 1881-02-20
7f17srur,AR CHRISTIAN.
DEATH OF THE REV. Ell p. FARMER 4
BLOOMINGTON, IND.

DEATH OF THE REV. ELI ?. FARMER1 AT
BLOOMINGTON, IND.
Indianapolis Journal
BrooN1NeroS, Ind, Feb. 7.-The Rev.
ELI r. Farmer died at his residence, near
this place, yesterday morning, IN his ssth
year. The deceased was born IN virginia in
17o4, and enligrated to this state soon after
its admission into the Union. his life has
been closely identified with the material and
religious development OF the State for
nearly three score years and ten.
His profession was that OF the ministry.
but his means of temporal subsistence were
derived from the farm. In his ministerial
career he introduced the novel practice Of
giving the people free gospel, and in oil his
experience, extending over long life, he was
never known to ask any congregation
or church for contribution in his
own behalf He was q chaplain in the
late Rebellion, and notwitnst the iaru-
ships and privations to which ne was sub
naintng at home, as he was nearly 20 years
old at the breaking out of the WAR;, lie uni
formly refused to receive any compensation
from the Government, and SO al through the
, long aud bitter struggle the old man followed
up the army in all the struggles and hard
ships encountered. endeavoring to strength
Ell the arms and encourage the hearts Of the
brave boys who were fighting for the Union
by dispensing the everlasting Gospel.
lie was IN eynngellSt OF ETA: power, ana
thirty, forty, and even fifty years ago. waited
upon his ministry, delight to-day in recount
ing incidents Of his life, canlp-llieetlng
scenes, etc., all OF which MITIGATE that he was
that in the olden time quite frequently the
camp-meetings OF that period were little bet
ter than failures, but Invariably the arrival
Of Mr.. Farmer. which was generally all
uounced by his mounting the stand with 8
song, electrified the audience. a result
ininiitable style. He was powerful uan
physically as ,yell rs religiousiy; in fact he
las been regarded as the strongest and most
active man in the State. This fact made him
tested his meetings. and several times he was
compelled to leave the sacred desk and
souutIy chastise those who were disturbing
his meeting. and always with success:
When the Hon. Mckee Dunn. IN iS03, made
the race for Congress III this Congressional
district; it became necessary to have acco1M-
panyiug him snlne one WHO could protect
him. In Salt Crvek Township, this county,
the Rebel element there determined that
Dunn should not make a Union speech. AMI
on that day. there was congregated SCI OF
When the excitement became intense and
trouble was momentarily expecfed, Mr..
Faru1er arose, and in voice OF Thunder
said: "Gentlemen, am first for my God,
second for my country, and last for peace,
lie represented this county i'll the .Legis-
iature some forty years ago, and while Il
member created u sensation by soundly fog
ging the Speaker uf the House, Mr.. Henley,
OF Clark, who was afterwards IN Congress.
The trouble grew out Of the election Of How
ard to the United States Senate
Prior to the Rebellion Mr.. Farmer was
identified with the Democratic party, but at
the beginning OF the War he allied himself
with tie young Republican party, and did
field but also on the stump Ills oeuuncia-
ton Of aisunionists and Northern dough-
faces was most bitter and lncisiye, and his
pleas for the preservation of the Union are
remembered with pride by his friends.
lie was Il soldier of the war Of 1919, particl-
pating in the historic battle OF New Orleans,
and his recollection Of the incidents Of that
war was clear up to istleatll.