Telegram-herald., 1891-04-21
PEACEFULLY HE DIED
In the Fullnsss OF Manhood, On the
Threshold or PANE.
H0y. MELBOURNE 4. FORD Is CALLED
1s That SArsway Realm bsyesd the = sa
OF MsstAis-His Last Dsys wers siiisd
Win Cheer saa Hope. while fss
tns Aassil Death. Was Nigh
On. Melbourne HAddock

Hon. Melbourne H2ddock Ford.
member Of Congress. aged ~ years,
died at his home, 50 South Lafayette
st, Monday, April 20, 1891. at three
minutes after twelve o'clock.
No pTofoander sensation and feeling
ofdeep sense OF loss have occurred IN the
city or IN western Michigan for years.
Everywhere in the city little groups OF
men might be seen talking IN subuued
toaes OF the loss OF the city. OF the
state sad OF the nation. In the pres
ence OF sueh . death all ties OF party
affilIaLion, everything but the remem-
brance of the gentle but earnest nature
and character of the noble dead were
forgotten. Public and private buildings
displayed flags az half mast and the
city and county courts adjourned for
the day as q mark OF respect TO the de-
ceased.
Few knew of his sickness and none
were aware that ne was IN danger. A
simple cluster of roses and white crepe
at the door of his home told the short
hut mournful story that the angel OF
death had visited a happy circle and re-
moved Its chief figure.
Friends Loving Tribute.
Within were friends whispering with
one another heartfelt condolences
for the irreparable loss. Con-
gresham Ford was one of the
nature that attracts and holds friend
ships, and his were OF q warm, almost
Gtfectonate character. Charles II.
Bender, one of his most intimate
friends, and formerly partner IN busi-
ness, thus told the story of his last days:
Last Thursday night l called at the
house. We have always been the most
intimate friends and our associations
were more intimate and confidential
than IS often the case with brothers.
lie was great student, IL being reg
ular habit OF his To sit up reading till
III or IL O'Clock at night. His favorite
pastime was the game of bezlGue. at
which he was very proficient. We used
10 play together 8 great deal. | and
Mrs. Bender stayed and played that
evening till quite late. He suffered
with the grip last year. and as he hadn't {
been feeling we'll during the week, con-
Guided to remain rather quiet st home.
Friday noon, after leaving the court,
l found out of MS law partner, Mr.. Nc
Garry, that he hadn't been down to the
Office. Saturday he took a long drive and
and that evening be said that he felt q
good deal better. Sunday evening came
up TO the house IN the evening. He
was up stairs, but hearing my voice
he came skipping down the stairs.
Light spirited Even In the shadows.
'wen.' said. you're feeling pretty
lively for SICK man, arn't you? why
old pard,' he replied, Il am all right
again now saying which he stepped off
few lively steps He spoke about
reading during the week, saying that
he would nave TO start IN and read his
books backward pretty soon. He
seemed IN high spirits and good health.
Soon Mr.. McGarry came in and we got
10 telling stories, and he spoke about
the fun we had with him over his scare
at making his acceptation speech for
his first Congressional nomination.
When we left he told us that he would
be down to the office and would see me
Monday afternoon At 3 o'clock. lie
stayed up and read till nearly midnight
sunday. He slept with his son Arthur.
The little boy arose at s O'Clock. and
noticed he was breathing heavily, but
thought nothing of that as il was usual
His father usually awakened when
Arthur left the room, but he did not
this time. A short time afterward Mrs.
Ford came IN, but he did not
respond to her call. He was
breathing laboriously and was uncon-
seIous.
Death Crept silently O'er Him.
Drs. GrIswold. Scnurtz and Boise
were Immediately summoned and they
with Dr. Brsdfield who came later. did
everything possible for the dying man.
Itwss vain. slowly the friends and
weeping wife came to realize that the
loving husband and friend would soon
be no more. He never regained con-
sciousness TO the last, and passed quietly
away. HIS intimate friends, Charles
III. Bender and wife. Mr.. and Mrs. :. T..
Watson. Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas F. Car
rol, George X. Perry, Charles r Ratn-
bone, Mayor Uhl, l.. e. Hatch and Mrs.
Lsmoreaux we're present with the be-
resved family.
The arrangements for the funeral
are in charge of his friends :. +. Wat
son, Charles III. Bender and George A.
Perry and Thomas F. Carol. Under
taker Durfes took charge Of the re-
mains The funeral will be held
Wednesday afternoon at hslf-past 2
O'Clock The remains will lis in state
on the first floor OF the city bali from
10 o'clock "Wednesday morning tll
o'clock in the afternoon. The services
at the house viii be conducted by Or.
Charles Fluhrer. and at the grave
IN the Valley City cemetery by the
ssrand River lodge of free and accepted
Msscns No. "a, ..nf winch order he was
member. They will attend N n body,
a. viii The lodge Of the Benevolent and
Protective Order Of Eiks. of which he
wss naenaher. He was Al 40 a member
Of The owsshtanoug aud Peninsular
clubs aud Of the Custer Post @. A. X.
Congressman Ford was Insured in the
New York Equitable Life Insurance
company for g. .as,0 ard N the Masonic
Muslal II this city for 5000. he has
pine lands vhfch ~ould resssse about
s. 600 at public sale. ard IN addition
his wIfs viii secure s3,0OG a. salary
from the government fo- he first year.
Congressman Fofd's family consists
Of hl.wife, daughters Kate sTed is. and
two s,G.. Thomas aud AFthaF aged -
ard . vesrs respectively. He has sss.
ter Fannie, at WAshintoa, hsif
brother. fseorge, sbo isves At Coivstef
srd a sstsf. fizzls nas At Gsou.
essfar. Maessss sisetss. fhey havs