The times., 1899-04-16

Oldest and best-known Democratic jour-
nails in New England Mr. oberly has
been in all health for the last two years.
but nothing serious was feared, and he
himself believed that the rigor Of a
northern climate would soon restore him
10 his old-time robustness. Two years ago
he had taken the Concord paper and put
a vast amount of life and energy in il;
but when Mr.. Stilson Hutchlns purchased
The Washington Times Mr.. Ober.y die
posed of the People and Patriot and re-
turned TO Washington with his family TO
become connected with this journal.
Returning TO Concord in February last,
he had just succeeded in reorganizing his
old paper when he was stricken with
pieurisy. Recovering from that yirulent
earbuncles followed, necessitating a surgi-
cal operation. For the last two weeks he
had grown weaker daily. and blood poison
ing, which was feared from the beginning
set in on Thursday, from the effects of
which death ensued. Mrs Oberly has been
attending him for the last six weeks, and
his daughter, Miss Ruth oberly, who is
teacher in one of the Washington public
schools, reached his bedside Just before
his demise
Mr. Oberly was born at Cincinnati, Ohio.
in December. 1887. He learned the print
a
common school education, and finally be-
came the proprietor Of a large job printing
establishment at Memphis Tenn Here
the war found him. and being strong
Union man, he sacrificed his property for
trifling sum and came North stopping
at Wooster, Ohio, where he became con-
nected with the Wayne County Demo-
crat, which he soor owned and published
for five years.
In 1867 he started the Cairo Bulletin"
a daily paper at Cairo. H., and later the
Bloomington Daily Bulletin" engaging
vigorously in politics. Governor Cullom
appointed him the Democratic member Of
the Railroad and Warehouse Commission
in which position he won marked
distinction as the author of railroad law
which is practically the present interstate
commerce law. He was twice elected
president of the International Typographi-
cal Union, the second time in order
that the code Of union laws to which he
had given earnest attention might be
perfected and enacted under his ad-
ministration, and they remain today
In effect a monument of his con-
structive talent. Mr.. Oberly was elected TO
the Legislature of Illinois. and on the Han
cock ticket OF 1880 was a candidate for
Secretary OF State. Later he was chairman
of the Democratic State central committee,
and in 1854 went to Albany as a staff con-
tributor of the Chicago Times" TO remain
with and then attend Mr.. Cleveland to
Washington. In a short time, at the Presi-
dents earnest solicitation, Mr. oberly ac-
nepted the position of Superintendent of
indian Schools. After reorganizing them he
was appointed Civil Service Commissioner,
following Dorman B. Eaton, and being sue
ceeded in his turn by Theodore Roosevelt.
To organize the Indian Bureau just at the
end OF his first Administration Mr.. Cleve-
L.
Affairs which position he held until Presi-
dent Harrison relieved him. II was sup
posed that when Cleveland came into his
!. second term Mr. Oberly would be at once
: again placed in charge of Indian affairs.
! but Cardinal Gibbons well-meant recon-
mendation OF him raised just the opposi-
fion which Mr.. Cleveland had not the eour-
Rge TO withstand, and the appointment was
not made.
Since 1858 Mr.. oberly has been out OF
politics and actively interested in newspa-
per work For a few months he was the
editor Of the Washington Critic. but
that paper was moribund before he touched
81. and he soon left il. His connection with
the Concord paper was very successful and
he returned TO il with genuine pleasure.
intending to make New Hampshire his
permanent home. His death is loss 10
thousands who knew him and esteemed
him. and sad blow 10 large and inter
esting family, every member OF which was
tenderly devoted 10 him. He leaves wife.
Mrs. Virginia 0berly, who is a sister OF
Hon. Jacob Sehuckers. the private secre
tary and biographer of Chief Justice Chase.
and six daughters. one OF whom is married
TO Mr.. George Eckles, a brother OF Hon.
John II. Eckles, Mr.. CIevelsnd's famous
Comptroller Of the Currency A fair
amount OF life insurance and an attractive
home in Maryland Avenue insure COM
petence to those dependent on him. The
body will he brought to Washington on
Monday and be buried here at date to be
announced.
AS yet no funeral arrangements have been
made. but II is presumed that Mr.. Oberly' s
remains will be brought here for burial.