Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-01-19
DEATH OF CAPT, F. S. BLAIR.
The Distinguished Lawyer and Citizen
Has Gone to Rest.

On last Saturday afternoon at about 4
o'clock we received a telegram conveying
the sad and unexpected intelligence that
Capt f. S. Blair had died that morning
at his home, in Wytheville, at l;45 O'Clock.
We had known, from information derived
from mutual friends, that Capt Blair was
in declining health, but we were not pre-
pared to hear ofsuch sudden termination
of his life.
For more than twenty years the rela-
tions of the writer with the deceased, in
social, political and fraternal circles, had
been most intimate. 1t was, therefore,
with profound regret and sorrow that we
heard of his death.
Capt. Blair was born at Jonesborro,
Tenn, nearly 60 years ago. He was a
son of Hon. John Blair, who represented
the Jonesborro District in Congress num-
ger of terms in ante bellum days. About
the time the Civil War began, Capt. Blair
had just completed his collegiate educa-
ton. He enlisted in the Confederate
army early in the war, and soon became
commissioned officer in the service, re-
manning therein until the conclusion OF
the war. At its termination he engaged
in teaching school in Wythe county, Va,
at the same time studying law, if we mis-
take not, under the late Judge Andrew
Fulton. AS soon as he obtained license
to practice law he located at Wytheville,
and very soon, by bis energy and ability,
attained prominent position in the pro-
fession. His brilliancy as speaker soon
made him CONSPICUOUS in the politics of
the Ninth District and Of the State. When
the Conservative party divided on the
question Of the readjustment of the State
debt, Capt. Blair became warm advo-
cate of readiustment and Immediately won
prominence in what is known as the Re-
adjuster party. In the year 1881 he was
nominated by the party for Attorney Gen
eral on the ticket which was headed by
William L. Cameron as candidate for
Governor. BY a vigorous and brilliant
canvass of the State, Capt. Blair greatly
contributed to the success Of this ticket
and was elected Attorney-General. Dur
ing his four years terra he was called upon
to perform very arduous and importantser-
vices as Attorney General in the Supreme
Courts ofthe Stateand United States. These
services he performed with marked ability
and success. At the expiration of his
term of office he retired permanently from
politics and returned to the practice of law
at his old home at Wytheville, where he
entered upon large and lucrative prac-
tice, which remained large until his
death.
Capt Blair was a genial companion, gen.
erous friend aad useful citizen. He was
full of benevoence, true friend of the
poor and needy, and as such will be greatly
missed in the community where he lived
and died. Some six or seven years ago he
Joined the Presbyterian church and con-
tinued until his death one of its most use
full and Jealous members. He was also an
ardent Mason, being especially devoted TO
Templar Masonry.
About the time he located at Wytheville
he married Miss Sallie Pierce, daughter OF
the late Alexander Pierce, of Wythe
county. He is survived by his wife, his
daughter, Miss Florence, and four sons,
John c., Frank s., Robert and David.
The warm sympathy Of vast number OF
friends will be extended to the bereaved
family.
The funeral took place at Wytheville
on Sunday afternoon, and was largely at
tended. Services were held in the Pres
byterian church, by the pastor, and at the
grave the Masons conducted the services,
burying the deceased brother with full
Masonic honors.