Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-27
DEATH OF INGERSOLL
The Noted Infdel Dies Suddenly
from Heart Disease.
SKETCH OF Mr.. IyCERSOLLS CAREER
His Speech Nominating Blaine for the
Presidency Made Him In Demand ~
Political speaker-His Views
on Religion.

New York, July 22.--Col. Robert g.
lngersoll died at his home, Walston.
on-Hudson, near Dobbs' Ferry, yester.
day. His death was sudden and unex-
pected and resulted from the heart dis.
ease from which he suffered since 1896.
In that year, during the republican ma.
tional convention, he was taken i'll and
had TO return home. He never fully
recovered from the attack of heart dis.
ease and was under the care OF physi.
clans constantly. For the last three
days Mr.. lngersoll had not been feel
ing well. Yesterday morning he rose
at the usual hour and joined the family
at breakfast. He then said he had
spent bad night, but felt better. He
spent the morning swinging in ham
mock and sitting on the veranda with
the members of the family. He said
he was better and had no pain. AT
1880 he started to go upstairs. On
reaching the head of the stairs Col.
Ingersoll turned into his wife's room.
After talking for few minutes he
crossed the room and sat down in
rocking chair. He leaned his head
upon his hand, which rested on the
back Of the chair. Mrs. lngersoll asked
him how he was feeling and he replied;
"Oh, better" These were his last
words. A second after they were ut
tered he was dead. No arrangements
have yet been made for the funeral,
but it will probably take place on Mon
day ut the house and the interment
will be in Sleepy Hollow cemetery, at
Tarytown.
SKETCH OF Mr.. IMGERsoLI.'s CAREER.
Robert Green Ingersoll was born In Dresden,
N. Y, August II, 1889 His father was Con-
gregationa minister Of such broad views as
frequently to cause dissenslons between himself
ind his parish. In 1913 the family moved to
Wisconsin and then to Illinois where the sons
boyhood was spent. With his brother Eben he
began the practice Of law In Shawneetown,
Ill. Eben was subsequently sent to con-
prcss Both engaged in politics and continued
their activity In this direction until 1857 when
they removed TO Peoria TO give wider scope TO
their ambitions. In 1850 Robert was demo-
cratic nominee for congress from the Peoria
district, but was defeated. The partnership
between the brothers continued for u years
with some ntermission. At the outbreak Of
the civil war Robert was d strong abolitionist
md enlisted In the union army, afterwards be-
coming colonel Of the Eleventh regiment Of
Illinois cavalry and " years later he united
his fortunes with the republican party.
AT the close Of the war he was appointed at
torney general for Illinois, In the national re-
publican convention Of 1879 he proposed the
name Of james G. Blaine for that party's candI-
date for president Of the United States 1t was
In this speech that Col Ingersoll made use Of
the famous expression, 'plumed knight" In ref
erence to the chlvalric nature Of Blalne's ex.
position Of republican principles on the floor Of
congress- This expression became the rallying
cry Of the republican campaign and stuck to
Blaine all his life. 1t was this presidential
nominating speech that directed national atten-
ton to the new orator From that time he was
In great demand as o political speaker and he
did energetic service for the republican party
campaign. j
Col. lngersoll has taken part in numerous
celebrated lawsuits In all parts Of the country,
and was counsel for the so-caled star route
consplrators whose trial ended In an acquittal
In 1889. During late years he was located In
New York city, where he had elaborate offices
In Wall street.
lngersoll's views on religion were, probably,
the greatest source Of his notorety, and every
where his books lectures md p mphlets d.
rected against the Christian religion, were COM
mented upon. OF his books, the most famous
are "Ihe Gods "Ghosts" and Prose, Poems
and Selections while "Some Mistakes of
Moses and "Supersttions" are his best known
lectures. The latter he delivered in Kansas
City last lnuury. 1t was in the constant ex-
potation Of his Ognostic views that Col Inger-
soil held public attention. Opposed Us he was
to all religious teachings, his chief object In
life was to disprove the authenticity OF the
Bible and the divinity Of Christ He also held
advanced IDEAS on the subject Of suicide, claim
ing that such course was not only Just fable,
but positively commendabe in certain cases