The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-07-01
DEATH OF MIR. uuroHLuR..
The Life Story Of the man who Was the
Friend of Randall, wallace and Scott.
His Years as Member OF

William Mutchler, Congressman
from this, the Eighth Pennsylvania,
District, died at 2.45 o'clock Friday
morning of heart disease and general
giving away of the system, age almost
62 years.
Mr.. Mutohler did not rally from his
acute attack while on pleasure trip
the first week in this month in Pike
County, though he felt better after
reaching home, drove out considerable
and kept up his interest in affairs of
the day.
He was particularly concerned
about the coming session of Congress
and few days ago, in conversation,
with CongI essman Buckalew, express
his belief that he would recover in
sufficient season to be present. But
his friends noticed that he grew weak
er and that his pulse was more feeble.
On Monday he was quite weak, and
the family was very spprehensive; but
he rallied that night and from that
time up until his sudden death his
family felt much encouraged. He sat
for several hours on the porch yester-
day afternoon and retired at 9 O'Clock
sleeping in a chair as he was more
comfortable In that position.
Shortly before 3 O'Clock Friday
morning Mrs. Mutohler spoke to him
inquiring how he felt; she received no
answer and finding that Mr. Mutehler
was breathing very family summoned
assistance. Death came in few
minutes.
Mr.. Mntchler is survived by his wife
who is the daughter of the late Sheriff
Cope, of this county, under whose in
cumbency Mr.. Mutchler began his
active political life in 1853 and by one
son, Howard, who is editor and pro.
prietor of the Northampton Demo
crat, and proprietor of the Easton
Daily Express.
William Mutchler was born near
Easton on December "a, 1881 his father
being a farmer in humble circum-
stances, who died when this son was Z
years Of age. An elder brother, H. NJ.
Mutchler carried on the farm, and
William gave him such assistance as
possible.
He entered the Vandervier school in
Easton during two Winters and that
was about all the school training he
had his studies being pursued at home
or in such schools training he was not
on the farm, or not working for neigh
boring families.
Meanwhile the elder brother entered
the pract ice of law and it was in his
Office that William Mutchler first per.
sued the pages of Blackstone and
eventually began legal practice. This
was about the time the war closed.
Before that he had been for two
terms the Deputy Sheriff of the county
and for two other terms beginning in
1860 the Prothonotary. He was an ac
tive political worker, and in 1869, after
having been for two years Assessor OF
Internal Revenue in this district, he
was elected chairman of the Stats
Democrat Committee.
He attracted great deal of attention
because of his clear headedness, anC
his untiring energy as well as his
ability, and from that time he wal
prominent in Democratic circles. H'
was an early friend of the late Samue
j. Randall, and supported him in Con
gress by his vote on many occasions
when Mr.. Randall and Mr.. Mutchlei
we're fighting against the majorit!
sentiment among theDemocratic mem
bers.
This was particularly so as regard
tariff legislation. Mr.. Mutehler be
came later a great friend of the lat,
Hon. William L. Scott, who considered
) him one of the aOlest men in Congress
l This drought Mr. Mutchler into tn
wallace faction of the State Democ
racy.
Mr.. Mutchler entered the Forty
seventh Congress when the Tent
!, District was composed of Northamp
I, ton, Lehigh and part of Bucks Coun
3 ties. He served one term and thei
gave way to congressman Bachmai
1 for two terms. He was elected to tn
S FortY-seyenth and the Forty-eightl
!. Congress.
:, When the present apportionment O
a the State was made and Mr.. Mutehler'
I county with Monroe, Pike and Carbol
|, became the Eighth Congressional Dis
trict, Mr.. Mutchler capturedthe nom
p nation though there were sewers
d candidates and the fight was a stubor
c one. This was in 1888, since then b
I, has twice been reelected and was
b member elect Of the next Congress.
It Since 1883 Mr.. Mutchler's promiI
n enee as a Congressman has been VI
Z usually great. He was in that yes
!; made Chairman of the Civil SerYiC
I. Reform Committee and his long e.
l. perience in Congress contributed eac
n year to make his worth as a membe
- greater. He served on many impo
n tant committees and in the last Coz
'r gress was Chairman Of the Pension
Committee, on chairman OF the SUI
"a Committee on Appropriations, and
Z member of other important commi
Sc tees. He performed his duties with u
Is rightness, and wish a strict regard +,
le the best interests Of his constituent
AZ not infrequently voting against Il
ct majority of his party in so doing.
la He was a conservative member
~ the House and held the respect of Dol
ar Democrats and Republicans. lie r
"a presented his views with force al
or olung to them tenaeiously, but he W
NJ tolerant of and respectful to the vier
Ial of those who differed with him
ol. At home he enjoyed the respect
Of all his fellow townsmen without rega
an to political differences. His health h
nf TIf not been good for nearly a year.
was prostrated several times duri
the last session Of Congress-. He "
informed by his medical advisers th
pie his stomach was the cause Of
IN ~ trouble, but it seemed impossible
nk bring about a return Of better heal
cir no matter how much he took care
nd his diet, Later his heart began TO
,io affected and then followed gene
he breaking down OF the system. Int
an ment was made on Tuesday afternol