The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-02-04

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JAMES G. BLAINE.
family had been summoned to the sick
room, and all the members were pres
ent at the end. Death came with no
struggle. DR.. Johnston WAS summoned
to the bedside OF Mr.. Blame early this
morning, but his presence was not
known TO those outside until about
ll:l0, when, in company with Dr. HYATT,
lie left the house. Roth physicians
were unusually pale, and when aCcOSted
by the reporter for the latest news the
significant look IN their faces answered
the question, He is dead" said Dr.
Johnston, .'and he passed away peace
fully" The doctors did not give the
exact time OF death, but later it was
learned that death came at ! O clock.
THE NEWS At THE CAPIToL.
The news spread TO the capitol and
throughout the city in few Minutes
1t WAS everywhere expected, but when
the announcement came the impression
was more striking than any that has been
created by similar news since the death
of Abraham Lincoln. The fatal termina-
ton OF his illness caused but little sur
prise, the news of it had been so long
expected. It was g foregoue conClu-
sion that his battle with death would be
the hnal defeat OF his lie. Though the
facts as TO his illness. have from the first
been studIOusly Y concealed through the
Official channels of communication, he
was q sick man when he returned to
Washington to settle down for the win
ter; death and It's bereayements added
more and more 10 his ailments. He has
grown worse, and has continued on his
journey TO the grave as fast as the DAYS
would carry him. Science and skill
gave him the weapons of defense for
comparatively long time, but his death
las furnished the end of the fight. He
was a doomed man from the start, and
to all Intents he has been dead man
for these many DAYS past.
James Gillespie Blaine was born in West
Brownsville, Washington County, Pa,
January u. 1880. he was the second son
of Ephralm l.. Blaine and Mary Gillespie.
ON his fathers side he inherited the hardy
and energetic qualities Of the SCOtCh-Irl5h
blood. ills grcat-gTdndiatheT, Ephralm
Blame, bore an honorable part in the rev
oluti0nary struggle, was an officer III the
PENNSYLVANIA line, trusted friend OF
Washington. and during the last four Years
OF the war served as tie cOmmIsSary gen
cTal of the northern department of his
command. Possessed of ample means. he
drew largely from ms own private purse,
and enlisted the contributions of various
friends tor the maintenance OF the army
during the severe ana memorable winter
at alley Forge. From the Cumberland
Valley, where his ancestors had early set
tied and had been among the
founders of Carlisle. Nh Blaine's
father removed to Washington Coun,
ty in 1918. He had inherited
what was a fortune in those days, and had
large landed possessions in Western Penn
SylYanIa; but their mineral wealth had not
then been developed, ana though relieved
from poverty he was not endowed with
atIluence, and 4 large family made heavy
dram on his means lie was a man of lib
eral education, and had travelled in Eu-
rope and South America before settling
down III u eSteIn Pennsylvania, when he
served as prOtlOnOtaTY. Mr. Blalne'S
mother, a woman of superior intelligence
and force of character. was dcVOut Cath
Ole; but her son adhered to the PrcSby-
terian convictions and communion of his
paterGal SCOtch-ITlSh ancestry. The early
cducajiOn of Mr.. blaine was SedulOuSly
cultivated. He had the advantage of eX-
celIent teachers at his own home,
anu lVl pant VI tic Atdl lotl
he was at ScEOOl in Lancaster
O., where he lived in the family of his rel
atiye, Thomas Ewing, then secretary of
the treasury. In ASSOCIATION with Thomas
Ewing, IT.. attcrwari a mem3 er Of Con
grCSS young biainc began his preparation
for college under a thoroughly trained
EngilShman, William Lyons, brother of
lord Lyons, and at the age of Is he en-
tered Washing ton College. in his own
county. where he was graduated IN 1871.
Il Is said that when 9 years old he was
able to rectte PlutITch'S lives. He had a
marked taste f0T historical studies, and
eNcclledin literature and mathematics. In
the literary society he displayed the pOlIt-
zeal aptitude and capacity that dStiu-
gWShCd his subsequent career. Some
time after graduation he became tea her
in the Western Military Institute at
Blue Lick Springs, Ky. Here he formed
the acquaintance Of Miss Harriet
StanwOOd. of Maine, who was connected
with seminary for young ladies at the
Ee!ghbOrng town of MIlleTSburg, and to
whom. within few months tie was mar
Tied. He soon returned 10 PENNSYLVANIA,
where, after some study of the law. he he
came teacher in the Pennsylvania Instl-
tuition for the Blind at Philadelphia. The
young teacher had charge Of the higher
classes IN literature and science. anu the
principal has left record that his bril-
liant mental powers were exactly qualified
1 -
minds before him. After an association Of
two years with this institution. he removed
in 1854 TO Augusta. Me. where he since
made his home. Purchasing a half inter
est IN the kennebcc Journal, he became its
editor, his ready faculty ana trenchdnt
writing being peculiarly adapted to this
field.
Almost simultaneously with taking up
his residence IN Maine Mr.. Blame entered
into politics. He engaged IN the move
mcnt for the formation OF the Republican
party with all his energy. and his earnest
amt iurlSiyc discussion Of the rising
conflict between freedom ana slavery
attracted widespread attention. In
1906 he was delegate TO the
first Republican national convention,
which nominated Gen. Fremont fOr the
presidency.
IN Iof2 Mr.. Blaine vas elected to Con
greSS. where, in one branch or the other,
he served fer eighteen years.
in 1910 Mr.. Blame was appointed TO the
Senate 10 iii the vacancy caused by the
resignation OF senator Morrill,. ana the
next winter was elected by the legislature
to the succeeding term. Ills career IN the
senate was GOtn brilliant ana diSt!ng-
uiShed. as II had been in the House.
He was called from the Senate to enter
President Garfield cabinet as secretary of
state. 1t was while passing through the
railroad depot, leaning on Nr. Elaine
arm. and pleasantly chatting with him
about his comng holiday, that Mr.. Gar
field received the assassin fatal bullet
I he death Of Nr. Garfield led To Nr.
Blajne'S retirement from the cabinet N
December. IN>Z. From that date until lie
entered President HaT-isoaS cabinet as
secretary Of state he was IN private life. eN-