The Wilmington daily Republican., 1899-07-22

THE LATE r. G. INGERSOLL
gether they discussed what they WoulG
have for luncheon, and Colonel Inger-
soil said he had better not eat much
owing to the trouble with his stomach
He seemed in good spirits then. After
talking for few minutes Colonel In
gersoll crossed the room and sat down
in rocking chair. He leaned his head
upon his hand, which rested upon the
back of the chair Mrs. Ingersoll asked
him how he was feeling and he. re-
piled: "Oh better"
These were his last words. A second
after they we're uttered he was dead.
The only sign noticed by Mrs. Inger-
soil was that the whites of his eyes
suddenly showed. There was not even
a sign or groan as death came. Doc
tors were hastily called, but their YER
dict was then that death had come in
stantly. Death came to him as he had
recently expressed desire 1t should.
| Colonel Ingersoll's Career.
! Robert q. lngersoll was the best known
| because of his Views on religious TOPICS
but his Introduction to the country at large
was by reason of a political and not an
agnostic address. 1t was in 1876, when he
| made the address nominating James G.
Blaine for the presidency. 1t was in this
speech that Mr.. Blaine was first alluded
to as the "Plumed Knight"
1ngersoll was born in Dresden. N. Y.
Aug. II. 1883, and was the son of Con-
gregational minister, whose liberal views
antagonized the more orthodox members
Of his congregation. Early in the forties
the lngersolls removed to Wisconsin and
little later to southern Illionis Bob
1ngersolls boyhood and early manhood
were passed in that state. At Is he en-
tered the office of his elder brother Ebon
{. lngersoll. when of age was admitted
to the Illinois bar and with his brother
opened a law office at Shawneetown.
Both were Democrats and prominent in
local politics. Ebon c. became congress-
man, and at that time 1t was Roberts
highest ambition to be himself sent to
the house of representatives from his
home district. In 1857 he removed to
Peoria. where he devoted much of his
time to political speaking and acquired
conslderaDle local fame.
In 1860 he accepted the Democratic nom
tnatlon for congress in district that was
overwhelmingly Republican, and was
beaten He never ran for office again,
He settled down to the practice of law,
but upon the breaking out of the civil
war entered the Union army after or
ganizing regiment of cavalry the Elev-
enth Illinois. of which he was made Colo
ned He made reputation as a soldier
for personal daring and dash
While he was guarding a Crossroad with
a small detachment of men he was sur
prlscd by party of Confederates, who
captured both him and his men He was
taken before the Confederate general and
interrogated as to who was in command
of his forces. ''1ll be hanged If know
he said "You are fine soldier not to
know your commander" said the Conred-
crate. 1ngersoll's eyes twinkled as he re-
plied We'll, I was in command five min
utes ago. Who Is in command now
haven't the slightest idea" This pleased
tho Confederate general, and the two be-
came friends. 1t was not long before the
Federal troops began pursuit of the Con-
federates who held lngersoll captive. The
chase lasted three days. at the end of
which time the Confederate commander
said to Ingersol Ride apart a little.
and when nobody Is looking light out and
eok out for yourself Ingersoll accepted
the advice.
When his term of service expired he re-
turned to Illinois. In politics he became
Republican, and his rise In the legal pro
fession was rapid. In 1866 he was appoint
ed attorney general for Illinois. which
post he filled for several years. Ten years
Inter, in 1876. he became a delegate to the
national Republican convention, and his
nominating speech was the sensation of
that OCCASION
Before the people had done talking