Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-07-28
INGBRSOLL IS DEAD.
Expires Suddenly at his Sum
(. MGR Home at Dobbs Ferry
Among the Highlands Of
the Hudson in N. u.

"A Brief History Of the Great Agnostic
who was the Greatest Friend Of Uni
versal Liberty and Love Of Human.
ity. K
Special to the Inter Ocean.
NEW YORK, July sl.-Colonel Rob-
ert g. Ingersoll died today 81 noon,
without an instant's warming, sitting
in chair OF his bedroom at his SUM
mer home among the highlands OF the
Hudson, at Dobbs Ferry.
He passed away smiling, but mute.
II was not the way he wanted to die.
He had for long in his mind something
he desired to say before death. It was
never said. s...
Another desire was fulfilled at his
end, however. He retained control Of
his faculties until death. His wife was
in the room when he died. She had
just spoken to him. He did not answer
save with the smile, which may have
been his greeting Of death.
His last words were spoken few
kmoments before, when he had left the
veranda, where members Of the house.
hold were sitting, with the remark that
he would return in . few minutes and
join in . game of billiards. Heart d.
sease was the cause of ais death.
Colonel Ingersoll had been at his
highland home. which he had named
Walstein in honor of his son-in-law,
since Wednesday evening. He was in
the city Wednesday in his usual good
spirits. On his way down that morn
ing he met at the Dobbs Ferry station
friend Of his own time of life, whom
he hsbitually addressed IS young man
and hailed him in the familiar. CHEEKY
way.
Thursday he spent at home, not feel.
ing qtite up to the mark, but far from
i'll. During last night he was taken
sick. The attack was supposed to be
indigestion. When some ono commun-
icated with him this morning be re-
marked that he never minded being
sick ct the stomach. He was about 40
usual n the morning and in his never
t.!!s;ing good humor, although he did
not feed very sprightly. He talked
with the family, which included, be
side Mrs. Ingersoll and Miss Maud In.
gersoll, their daughter, Mr.. and Mrs.
Walstsin H. Drawn, Mr.. and Mrs. Clin-
to C. Farrell, and Mrs B. w. Parker.
Mrs. Brown is the oolonel's daughter.
Mrs Farrell is Mrs. Ingersoll's sister,
and Mrs. Parker is Mrs. 1ngersoll 8
mother. Mr.. Farrell was Colonel In
gersolls secretary.
Robert Green Ingersoll was born in
Dresden, n. y. Aug. II, 1s33. His
father was Congregational minister,
and q preacher Of great power as q re.
vivslist. Early in his ministry he NOV
ed West. and Robert, the youngest of
his family, was Injured to the hardships
Of pioneer life. His education was
largely derived from reading all the
books he could borrow in tho different
parishes Of his childhood and youth,
and fortunately the changes were not
infrequent. He began the study Of
law in Marion, H., and in 1855 he
opened an Office at Shawneetown, in
partnership with his elder brother.
Eben, for six years member of Con-
gress. In 1857 the brothers moved to
Peoria, which became his home for tho
next twenty years.
Colonel Ingersoll entered politics in
1850 as democratic candidate for Con-
gress. The campaign hs made 10 still
remembered by the old men Of the dis.
trict. Even then he boldly declared
himself opposed to slavery and outran
his conservative Republican opponent
10 denunciation of it. He ran far
ahead Of his ticket. but was defeated.
When the war came he was tho leader
Of the war Democrats and made haste
to declare himself supporter Of the
Lincoln administration. From that
time on no was always Repu blican
In politics. When the call for soldiers
came he enlisted in q cavalry regiment.
the Eleventh Illinois. He was COM
missioned colonel of it and remained
1t the front until obliged by i'll health
to resign. In 1864 he shared with his
friend. Richard J. Oglesby, the burdens
and honors Of making thorough cam
vass Of the state. He became known
all over the state - most eloquent
eampaigner. During Governor Ogles-
by's term the Office Of attorney gensr-.
81 of Illinois was created, to be filled
until the next state election BY appoint
ment. Governor Oglesby appointed
C1lonsl Ingersoll TO that Office and that
was the only Office that he ever held.
In 1858 Colonel Ingersoll was q can
didate for Governor before the Repub-
lican state convention. He wa defeat
ed on account of his sguostie views.
He never after sought any political po-
sition. He took very aetive part in
campaigns, speaking in Indiana,
Maine, Ohio and Iowa, as well a. Illi-
nois.