The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-08-22
DEATH OF GEN. BLAIR
Aged kansan Pioneer Passes
Coronado Beach, Cal.

coronado Beach, Cal.
Kansas City. Aug. n.--General Chas.
W. Blair. widely known old time Kan
san. whose personal history has been in
tertwined in that OF his state for the past
forty years. died at Coronado Beach, near
San Diego, Cal, yesterday.
| General Blair has been IN for a year,
and his Journey to California was made
two months ago in the hope OF recover
! ing Is health. on account Of his advance
ct years, however. he was unable TO
throw or the disease and gradually sank
until death came.
lie wa 10 years old and for several
years prior to his death was connected
with the legal department OF the Kansas
| Fort Scott and Gulf railroad in Kansas
City, although he always insisted that his
home was In Kansas and that he would
hold allegiance to that state until his
death
Since the territorial days OF Kansas.
/ General Blair has not only been a con-
splcuous figure OF Kansas but an actual
participant OF all that pertained to that
states splendid historical. political ami
Industrial growth. Previous to his conf
ing to Kansas City his home was IN
Leavenworth, where he was a distin-
gulshed citizen. Before going to Leaven-
worth General Blair lived in Fort Scott.
where he held many political offices.
or late years he was seen very little IN
public and thousands OF his friends had
lost track OF him. He leaves a family OF
four married daughters among whom is
the wife OF Fred Harvey. manager OF
the Santa re eating houses.
Charles w. Blair was a native OF George
town. Brown county o.. where he was
born February s. 1929. His early educa-
uonal advantages were limited but he
managed 10 attend the country schools of
his county In the winter time and when
about Is years old he studied law, aftay
the manner OF that day in the office Of
a country lawyer. He was admitted 20
the bar while yet a mere boy. From kne
rst he gave promise of splendid talent for
the law and when he was n years old he
was elected prosecuting attorney OF his
native county.
This position ne held with great credit
for a number OF years. In 49,. he was
elected clerk in the Ohio mouse OF rep
resentiuves, where he made many and
valuable friends.
Mr.. Blair had two hobbies besides the
law-polltics and the militia. In both he
distinguished himself in after life.
After he had served his term as clerk
OF the house OF representatives and dur
ing ,he same year he Joined the famous
expedition OF General Lopez for the lib
GRAFTON OF Cuba. For this expedition he
raised a company Of men in Kentucky
and became their captain.
on the 25th OF December, 1853. Mr.. Blair
was married in Columbus, o., 10 Kath- |
crime Me5ary, daughter OF Samual Ne |
Gary. who afterwards became the fret |
territorial governor Of Kansas. II was
largely due 10 the fact OF his father-in-
Laws removal to Kansas that influenced |
Nc P'Pir's emigration to that state in |
lS.9
Before solng TO Kansas. however. the |
lawyer politician was nominated tor gtv-
e'nc- OF Ohio on the democratic tiskst. |
Fle Ilsde a splendid race sne althocgh he |
rea'lged he was leading a torlorne hope. |
80 far as democratic victory in the state |
Of Chic was concerned. he made cam
paign that is femorible 10 the history Of |
tina; state.
Al the close Of the campaign NJ. Blair
came west. locating in Fort Scott, Kas..
where he lived for many years. In COM
iany with Andrew Ellison, his former
law tutor, he engaged in the practice OF
his profession. He made money rapidly
aad soon built up a splendid p'acHee.
Judicious investments in Fort Scott real
estate brought him additional foetuae,
H's home was on a valuable piece OF real
estate in Fort Scott. and It is now a part
OF his estate.
NJ. Blairs title OF general was iegiI-
mateiy wen during the war OF the rebel
lion During the border war when ''blesi-
Ing KansGs' was harrassed by opposing
forces, General Blalr's influence was al
ways on the side of order and justIce. At
the breaking out % the war he was one
OF the hrst 10 respond 20 the call for
Kansas troops,
General Blair's career as leutenant-
colonel Of the Second Kansas infantry
forms vital part OF that organization's
history and OF which the state OF Kansas
has always been proud. On February q,
1852 Colonel Blair was made major OF the
Second Kansas cavalry. and later raised
the famous Blair's battery, Of which he
remained In command about six months
lie was then assigned to the command OF
the post AT Fort Scott, and also OF a sub
district composed OF all OF Kansas south
the Kansas river and the western tier
OF Missouri counties
September 20, is6s. he was made lieuten-
ant-eoionsi of the Fourteenth Kansas