Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-06-16
WORKED HIMSELF TO DEATH
NEVER AWAKENED FROM HIS TUES
DAY NIGHTS SLEEP.
w. j. Bryan to Deliver the Funeral
Grafton on Saturday Afternoon
Mr.. Bland Died Practically
a Poor Man Champ
..- Clark'S Tribute.

LEBANON, MO, June 15.-(SpecialD Al
exactly o'clock this morning Richard
Parks Bland, the father Of free coinage
the grand old commoner," died at his
country residence near this place He has
hoyered between life and death for about
ten days. and expired peacefully and quiet.
ly this morning ,-
Last Tuesday night he went into a deet
sleep, which, while it was not coma, was
very heavy and profound. In spite of all
the efforts of the physicians and trained
nurses he could not be aroused. About
midnight last night the watchers noticed
that he was becoming weaker. The family
and friends who have been with him had
anticipated no immediate danger and were
asleep. They were aroused and a messen-
ger sent to Lebanon for the physician. The
action Of his heart Kept getting weaker
until just before death, when it increased
percepubly. He never regained his con-
sciousncss, nor recognized anyone about
him. His death was an easy one and he
passed away without showing he felt any
pain. The physicians authorize the state.
nnent that death was caused by cerebral
congestion
For the last few days his friends have
been hoping against hope that he would
recover, but the physicians have all along
contended he could not last long -
The funeral viii be the largest ever held
IN the county, and will be held ct the
Lebanon opera house at o'clock Saturday
afternoon. It will be under the charge OF
the sergeant-at-arms of the house of rep
resentatives and will be conducted by the
Lebanon commander, Knight Templar, No.
80: the Royal Arch chapter No. Ga and La
Clede lodge No. 50. Mr.. Bland will be
buried at this place by the side of one of
ri hut Tod far,H
funeral Grafton will be delivered by Will
liam ]. Bryan.
The brain trouble that caused Mr.
Bland's death was brought on by over
work while at Washington. Constant wor-
ry and hard work on the many public
questions in which he had lively interest
caused him to break down. He was rem
dered reader victim by an attack of
la grippe, which he had last winter in
Washington. Every since coming home,
early in March, he has been confined to his
room, but it was only about two weeks ago
that his condition assumed an alarming
state He has had several sinking spells.
but seemed to recover from each of them
until he fell into the deep sleep which
proved his end. His family were all with
him when the end came, as were the
most of his relatives.
Mr. Bland carried no life insurance and
died practically poor man. All he left
was his farm and personal property. which
would not exceed in value $4,000.
Hundreds of kilograms of coincidence and
sympathy have been received by Mrs.
Bland. Among them are messages from
the Following, many of whom will attend
the funeral: Colonel W! j Bryan, Governor
Lon V. Stephens, Senator Cockrell, Sem
ator Vest, Governor Charles II. Thomas, of
Colorado; Senator H. NJ. Teller, ex-Gov-
. ernpr Stone. Ex-Governor John p. Alt
geld. Theodore j. Atkins, chairman Repub-
lican committee; j. NJ Seibert,. J. +. Sha-
1rotn, on Soloraao; James 1. LLOYD, ID. A.
of the house of representatives: Sam B.
Cook, Ed T. Orear. Clerk John r. Green,
supreme court: Judge James Gibson, Jehu
Baker, Joseph K. Hickey, of New York
NJ. c. Wetmore, Frank Trumbull receiv-
er Union Pacific railroad: Fred Fleming.
J. A Knott, Congressman Dockery, Thomas
o. Towles, James Bradshaw.