Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-27
DEATH OF MONTGOMERY BLAIR.
A Public Loss.
PARTICULARS OF Hfs CAREER

dence, near Silver Spring, Montgomery county,
Maryland. The cause OF his death was inf am
nation OF the membranes OF the spine. He had
suffered from this disease for some years, and for
the last eight months had been confined pretty
closely to the house. On his removal some weeks
ago to his country home lie seemed to rally some
what, and hopes entertained OF his recovery,
but at his advanced age Of 10 his rccuperatve pow
erS were not equal tn the cali upon tn an He soon
began to lose strength again. and for the last ten
days he has been gradually sinking. He has been
q great sufferer from this most painful disease.
but died TRANQUILITY and resignedly In full Christian
trust He leaves a VIE, Mary Elizabeth Blair,
and four chiidren-three sons, Woodbury., Gist and
Montgomery, and daughter, Miss Mlnna Blair.
1t is somewhat curious coincidence that his
family corresponded exactly in numbers and sex
with that of his father Francis P. Blair, who had
three sons, Montgomery, Francis and James, and
daughter, Elizabeth, now the wife OF Admiral
Lee. Mrs. Lee is the only surviving member OF the
four.
Montgomery Blair was distinguished member
OF notable family. He was born in Franklin
county, KY. May 10. 1918, and received military
1885 After serving in the Seminole war he re-
signed his commission In 1886, and entered upon
the ,Ga PRACTICE OF law at t. St t., Louis No He soon
1889 was appointed United States district attorney
for Missouri He was elevated to the bench of the
sition for six years. He removed to Maryland in
politics Of thot state: ne was appointed in 1855 to
Court OF Claims. Before the repeal of the Mis-
snsS Sssl Stn ,Ss after 5Ss
party. and was consequently removed from of1ice
in 1858 by President buchanan. Mr.. Blair acted
Scott case in 1857 In 1860 he PRESIDED pre- a over the
Maryland republican convention, and in 1851 was
appointed Postmaster General by President Lin
coin. This Office he held until 1864. During the
latter part OF his life Mr. Blair acted with the op-
ponents OF the republican party. He was racog-
nizsd as wise counsellor by the leaders of the
hvin In
tive retirement he welded strong influence over
the policy Oh that party. When the Union was
cratic party Mr.. Blair was at once chosen as the
most suitable person to have editorial direction OF
me m paper, and he continued his connection with
the journal until its publication ceased.
He was one OF the counsel representing Mr.. TIL
den's claims before the electoral commission OF
prclated by Mr.. Tilden, and proSapiy nc no s other her
man has held so warm place In Mr.. Tildens con-
fdence and regard.
from the 9Th Maryland district last year. but
failed OF election to the regret OF many outside OF
party lines, who desired TO the state of Mary
land represented in Congress by a man OF his
character ana conspicuous ability.
MR.. BLAIR AT SILVER SPRING.
For many years Mr.. Blair had alterneted his
residence, winter and summer, between his house
in this city and his charming home at Silver
Spring. Maryland While his death will be de-
plored In both communities, his loss to the latter
will be mourned by every man, woman and chilli,
for he was known TO everybody there through the
active part he took in all measures for the public
welfare and In the interests OF good neighborhood
In his death. as in that lately OF Hayward N.
Hutchinson, the agricultural interests OF Mont
gOmery county suffer a serious loss. Like Mr..
Hutchinson ME. Blair made large expenditures OF
money in the purchase and renovation OF exten-
sive tracts OF the wild land OF that county, and
the introduction of blOOded stock and improv4 ID
methods OF agriculture. Among his late enter
prises in this line the erection of an extensive
silo, and which by experiment upon large seal,
during the past year satisfactorily established the
value OF the enslage plan OF providing food for
stock
Mr. Blairs time and money were also freely
spent In the field OF religious enterprise, and he
was literally "a pillar OF the church" in Rev DR..
Aviretts Silver Spring parish. He was one OF the
most prominent laymen OF the Protestant Episco-
pal diocese OF Maryland, and an active member OF
the convocat1on Of Washington. He was associ-
ated with many charitable and benevolent enter
prises in this city, and recently was actively en-
gagged In pushing forward the project to build
homeopathic hospital here.
DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.
Mr. Blair, upon entering public life, had the ad.
honOred and distinguished. His father, Francis
Preston Blair, was one OF the abest journalists OF
his day. He was Virginian by birth, and entered
political life early. He was supporter OF Henry
Clay for the Presidency In 1924 and in November,
1890. upon invitation OF President Jackson became
editor OF the GtObe, which was then tablIshed In
washington as the organ OF the administration.
He retained control OF the journal till lS45, and
upon quitting 1t offered by President Polk the
post OF minister to Spain. but declined It, In 1S4s
he supported Mr.. Van Buren, for the Presidency,
ana after the repeal OF the Miss lur compromise
took part, as his son Montgomery did. In the Or
ganizatlon OF the republican party. During the
Md. His venerable figure was a familiar S! INT on
the streets of Washington. He died at Silver
Spring In 1875
FRANCIS PRESTON BLAIR, JR.,
a younger brother of Montgomery Blair, left his
law Office IN St Louis and entered the army as
Yrv TO who rxrttl
and when hostilities were at an end he resumed
his professional practice. He became prominent
as politician served In the Missouri legislature,
and served In Congress In 1856 1860 and 1862 Ee
entered the army as colonel volunteers In 1851,
and gained the rank OF major general by dis
tinguiShed services. After the war, becoming dis
istration he returned to the democratic party,
with which he had been Identified early In life,
and in 1868 Was the democratic candidate for Vice
from Missouri to fill vacancy, his term expiring
March 4th. 1873. He died at St Louis July 9Th.
1876.
MR.. BLAIR As POSTMASTER GENERAL.
Some OF the older officials Of the Post Office de-
partment remember the late Montgomery Blair
when he was Postmaster General The majority
OF the employees, however, belong to another gen.
GRAFTON, and only know him as public man.
Among those that were In the service during Mr..
Blair's administration were Mr.: Gurley, the chief
Of the free-delivery service: Mr.. MARI. the chief
Mr. aupy sd tha Mr. Br
very progressive Postmaster General, and could
be said to be the father Of the free-delivery and
money-Order systems.
OFFICIAL HONoRS TO THE MEMORY OF THE DECEASED.
The Postmaster General to-day issued the fol-
lowing orders: "As q mark OF respect to the late
Hon. Montgomery Blair, ex-P Postmaster General, it
Is hereby directed that the Post ONCE department
building be draped in mourning for period OF
thirty days from this date; that the flag on the
Duildlng De placed at half mast until after the
burial OF the deceased ex-Postmaster General, and
that the department be closed on Monday, July
3Oth, the day OF his funeral"
A Young MAIL ROUTE AGENTS CRIME.-Charles
McCann, mail route agent between Camden and
BrldgetOn, on the West Jersey railroad, was ar
rested last evening by United States Marshal Baird
on the charge OF stealing postage stamps and
postal cards TO q large amount United States
commissioner Morgan held McCann In g. O00, in
deIauit OF which he was locked up In the county
JAIL McCann Is young man and has only been
In the position f1ve months.
TILDEN AND HANCOCK.-The Hartford COlrdnt,
on the authority OF a judge. whose name 1t does
treachery to Gen. Hancock In 1880, and that his
deteat was due to the "mantpulat1ons" OF the
willy sage OF Greystone.
DEATH FROM YRLLow FEVER NEAR PHILADEL-
PHIA-The Philadelphia quarantine physician yes
terday reported to the board OF health that Patrick
Kelly, seaman OF the brig Julia Blake, died OF
yellow fever Wednesday night at the hospital OF
the Lazaretto station, to which place he had been
removed from the vessel The brig, which was
pound rom Havana for Philadelphia, loaded with