The Mena star., 1899-06-22

in the morning it could be seen that he was sinking rapidly, and at 4:So 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 nie and Virginia, and Mrs. Bland were at his bedside when the end came. His brother, Judge c. C. Bland, Mrs. $. T. Thomas, his brother-in-law, Gen. E. Y. Mitchell and E. Y Mitchell. Jr., and his private secretary, Grid Bell, were also with him.
 The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at four o'clock at the opera house and the body will be buried in the Cathohc cemetery. The funeral will be in charge of the sergeant-at- arms of the house of representatives and will be conducted by Masonic lodges. Private Secretary Bell has notiiied the clerk of the house of Mir. Bland's death, asking him to appoint a committee of members to attend the fu- neral. Prominent friends of Mir. Bland Throughout the country have been notified of the funeral arrangements. Mr. Bland was member of no church and the ministers of all denominations will participate in the services. It is planned to have Col William ]. Bryan deliver the funeral oration. The body will lie in state at the opera house for e4 hours. Already the citizens are 1,.a .,i,,,r Tn ai,. bp,,rae ;,, Il,o1~
 Mir. Blands illness began immediate iy after his return from Washington, early in March It started with an att tack of grip followed with a relapse. Chronic catarrh of the stomach compli- eated the disease. Brain trouble came next and he died of cerebral congestion. For several days before his death he was partially paralyzed.
 Richard r. Bland's Career.
 MT. Bland was native of Kentucky, having been born near Hartford on August 10. 1885. He received an academic education in his na- tive state and in 1855 removed to Missouri He then went to California and to that portion of Utah which is now Nevada, locating at Virginia City as a practicng attorney-at-law He was interested in mining operations in California md Nevada, and was county treasurer of Car son City, Utah territory, from 1860 until the organization of the state government of Nevada. In 1865 he returned to Missouri and located at Rolla. Here he practiced law with his brother l. c. Bland, until he removed to Lebanon in August, is69.
 Mir. Bland devoted himself to hts profession until he was chosen to represent his district in the Forty third congress. He was reelected to the Forty-fourth, Forty firth, Forty-sixth. Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth Fifty-first, Fifty-second and Fifty. third congresses. He failed of reelection to the Fffty-fourth congress. but was again elect d in 1896 by n majority of over 3009 votes over Joel D. Hubbard. republican, and ]. H. Stenci- pher. popuiist Last fall Mir. Bland was again reelected to represent the Eighth district. his majority being about 2,50o
 Mir Bland became best known in politics be- cause Of his long and earnest advocacy of the free coinage of silver. His acknowledged lead ership earned for him the title of "Silver Dick" lie became in 1875 chairman of the committee pn mines and mining and introduced the we'll ignown Bland bill, which provided that the secretary of the treasury should purchase sufficient bullion to coin the minimum amount of t2.pO00 900 month in silver dollars Of 4i21x grains each and that these dollars should be legal tender. Tn each succeeding congress he fought faithfully and consistently for the white metal. It was mainly through his efforts that the memorable silver commission was appoint ed and made the exhaustive report on the sub fect whch is now on nie Tn the national archives.
 Mr. Bland was never more interesting than at the time of the democratic national convention fn fs6 when he was strong figure before the con sention. At that time he was at his home. two fniies away from the town of Lebanon He had ao teiegraphie or telephonic connection from his home to Lebanon. Instead of remaining ezose to means of direct communication with lhe exciting scenes in Chicago he continued t, pursue his daily habits on the farm.
 Mr. Bland was married the first year that he Nss elected to congresS He met his wife who Nns Mis- vfr1te Mitchell. while she ans s..,-