The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-22
INGERsoLL TO PREACH.
He VIII Deliver the Funeral Ser
mon of u Farmer.

mon Oh ~
Lincoln. ILL.,, Aug 21.-The inhabitants
of the little country town of Atlanta, in
this county, are discussing the prospects
of the funeral of venerable farmer the
celebrated Col. Robert G. Ingersoii prom
Used thirty years ago that he would, on
the funeral occasion. take the place of
minister of the gospel.
The man who is attracting so much at
tention Is James Tuttle. a native of Ath-
ems County, where he was born in 1906.
James Tuttle, an eccentric, atheisticial
individual, is singularly just, merciful and
charitable. Ingersoll has been his friend
since 1866.
Many years ago when the two men
were comparing views and Tuttle was de-
irving and seeking solace from Ingersolfs
fountain of wisdom futile remarked he
could die happy if sure Ingersoll would
deliver the address on the occasion of his
funeral. The simple wish of the old man
was promptly promised by Ingersoll, and
when the funeral day comes, near at
hand, thousands will be present, and at
the request of the dying man extensive
ana elaborate preparations are being
made the place selected for the exercises
being a beautiful grave, the trees of
which futile set out and rurtured with
his own hand
Mr.. futile has been an energetic and
successful farmer in Logan County for
more than fifty years He has been pro-
gressive in his farming operations. and
at his death will leave an estate valued
at $4,000, besides the farms and money
he has given his children from time 10
time. He has found time to devote at
tention to politics. espousing the cause of
the Republican party at its formation in
Bloomington. H., in 1856. when, it is
| claimed, the party first came into exist
| ence to champion the principle OF aboli-
| ton. He was a personal friend and adj
mirer of Abraham Lincoln when Lincoln
was a circuit lawyer practicing in the
| courts of Logan and adjoining counties.
In the early days, from 1910 to 1865,
when Illinois produced and presented
| such illustrious men as Baker. Shields,
Grant. Logan, Yates and Ogiesby, futile
| was their associate and friend.
| Tuttles acquaintance with IngerSofl
| began nearly fifty years ago. and from
| the time Ingersoll began delivering his
addresses and lectures. this imaginative
| Tuttle became deeply interested in his
propositions. and from his knowledge OF
| nature and distrust of men through
| practical experience he many years age
accepted Ingersolls views as his own.
futile about a month ago attempted
to walk in his country home when HI
| fell and broke his thigh. He has beer
belfast since. and in precarious con
dition. For weeks his mind has beer
wandering and when conscious he talk.
wholly of Ingersoll.
whenever lngersoll has been near her,
he has invariably called on futile, and
the latter has gone to Chicago and Other
cities whenever his friend was bilIet
for an address. accepting Ingersolrs hos
pI,ality and proving a conspicuous figur.
from his venerable appearance-ben
form and hair and whiskers as whit.
as snow.
futile has read all of IngersoIrs work:
ana mas an extensive private library
From the days following the close OF tn,
Civil War. when Ingersolrs fame begar
to spread from the confines of Peoria
his old home. Tuttle has been a stancI
champion of him.
And now in the shadow of death h
calls his name and mentions the agree
ment with his friend. Bob" as he ia
miliarly calls him. when he will delive
the address at his funeral.
The friends and neighbors of futile sa,
that the old man has a provision in hi
will appropriating 81 900 TO defray the ex
penses of the public funeral. with Inger
soil as the only speaker.