The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-06-24

in the morning it could be seen that he
was sinking rapidly, and at 4:3O o'clock
he ceased to breathe. Toward the end
the action of his heart increased per-
ceptibly and hopes were expressed that
he was awakening, but it was fruit
less hope. His sons, Theodore, Ewing,
George and John, his daughters, Fan
ME and Virginia, and Mrs. Bland were
at his bedside when the end came. His
brother, Judge c. c. Bland, Mrs. S. I.
Thomas, his brother-in-law, Gen. L. Y.
Mitchell and Il. Y. Mitchell, Jr., and
his private secretary, Grid Bell, were
also with him.
Mr.. BANDS illness began immediate
ly after his return from Washington,
early in March. II started with an at
tack of grip followed with a relapse.
Chronic catarrh of the stomach compli-
Gated the disease. Brain trouble came
next and he died of cerebral congestion.
For several days before his death he
was partially paralyzed.
Richard p. Bland's Career.
Mr. Bland was native OF Kentucky, having
been born near Hartford on August 49, 1885.
lie received an academic education In his ma
tive state and In 1885 removed 10 Missouri. He
then went To California and TO that portion OF
| Utah which is now Nevada, locating at Virginia
| City as practicng attorney He was
| interested In mining operations In California
and Nevada, and was county treasurer OF Car
| son City, Utah territory, from 1850 until the
organization OF the state government Of Nevada.
| In 1855 he returned To Missouri and located at
Rolla. Here he practiced law with his brother,
| G. c. Bland, until he removed TO Lebanon In
| August, 1869.
Mr.. Bland devoted himself to his profession
| until he was chosen TO represent his district In
the Forty third congress. He was reelected "a
the Forty fourth Forty fifth. Forty-sixth
Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty ninth,
| Fiftieth Fifty-frst, Fifty second and Fifty
third congresses He failed Of reelection TO
the Fifty fourth congress- but was again elect
ed in 1895 by u majority of over 1900 votes over
Joel d. Hubbard, republican, and J. II. StSfnci-
pher popullst Last fall Mr.. Bland was again
reelected TO represent the Eighth district, his
majority being about 500
Mr.. Bland became best known In politics be-
cause OF his long and earnest advocacy Of the
free coinage OF silver His Acknowledged lead
ersbip earned for him the title OF "Sllver Dick. ="
He became In 1876 chairman of the committee
on mines and mining aud introduced the we'll
known BLAND bill which provided that the
secretary OF the treasury should purchase
sunicient bullion to coin the minimum amount
OF g., 10000 month In silver dollars OF 4l2h
grains each and that these dollars should be
legal tender. In each succeeding congress he
fought faithfully and persistently for the white
metal. II was mainly through his efforts that
/ gtiNar anmtnt sion aDuOint-
ed and made the exhaustive report on the SUBJ
iect which is now on file In the national archives
Mr. Bland was never more interesting than al
the time Of the democratic national convention
In 1896 when he was strong figure before the con
yention. At that time he was at his home, two
miles away from the town Of Lebanon. He hat
no telegraphic or telephone connection from
his home TO Lebanon. Instead OF remaining
close to means OF direct communication will
the exciting scenes in Chicago, he continued v
pursue his daily habits on the farm.
Mr.. Bland was married the first year that HI
was elected to congress. He met his wife, VIII
was Miss Virdie Mitchell, while she was stu
dent ut Caledonia Ten children were bora u
, them, but four died The eldest is Miss Fannie
who was educated ut the Sacred Heart convent
Washington; Theodore, n graduate Of tn
Christian Brothers college, ST. Louis; Georg
; Vest, Ewing John and Virginia.
FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
Lebanon, Mo-, June 10. Congress
man Richard Parks Bland was buriet
Saturday afternoon at four o'clock
His body was brought from his hom
in the country to the opera house by
detachment of mounted Knights TEN
plar. Two sentries from the Knight
Templar were ON guard all night. TIL
entire town was draped with mourn
ing. The mayor of Lebanon issued
proclamation and in response to it al
places of business were closed out O
respect to Mr. BANDS memory. Rev
j. w. Wilkinson, rector of Trinit
Episcopal church, read Scripture les
son and pronounced an invocation. Rev
w. X. Collins, of the Madison Avenu
NJ. L. church, then delivered the funel
al discourse. After this came the ms
sonic services, conducted by Worship
full Master J. w. Farris, lifelon
friend of Mr.. Bland. The closin
prayer was offered by Rev. j. Il. Ale'
ander, of the NJ. +. church, south.
. great crowd attended the funeral, mad
up of Mr.. BANDS personal and polit
: cal friends. Besides the congressioni
committee there were present Col. "
j. Bryan, Gov. Stephens, eX-Gov ston
and many other democrats OF nation;