The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-07-28
COL. R. G. INGERSOLL.

family. At 1920 he started to go up
stairs On reaching the head of the
stairs Colonel Ingersoll turned into
his wife's room. Mrs Ingersoll was
there Toget her they discussed what
they would have for luncheon and Mr..
Ingersoll said he would better not
eat much, owing to the trouble with
his stomach. He seemed in good spir-
it's then. After talking for few min
utes, Colonel Ingersoll crossed the
room and sat down in a rocking chair.
He leaned his head upon his hand,
which rested on the back of the chair.
Mrs Ingersoll asked him how he was
feeling, and he replied: "Oh, better. "
These were his last words. A Sec
ond after they were uttered he was
dead There was not even a sigh or a
groan as death came. Doctors were
hastily called, but their verdict was
that death had come instantly.
Mrs. Ingersoll was the only person
in the room with him when he died.
Death came to him as he had recently
expressed desire it should. He often
in old times said he wished to die
slowly, with a full consciousness, so
he might tell those about him how IL
felt. Recently, he experienced a
change of desire, to die painlessly and
without warning.
Robert Green Ingersoll was born in Dresden,
N Y, August II, 1888. His father was n Con-
gregational minister of such broad views as
frequently to cause dissensons between him
sci and his parish. In 1913 the family moved
TO Wise nsin and then to Illinois, where tho
sons boyhood was spent With his brother
Ebsn he began the practice Of law in Shawnee
town ILL.,, in 1857. Eben was subsequently sent
to congress. Both engaged in politics and
continued their activity in this direction
until 1857, when they removed to Peoria TO
Civ wider scope to their ambitions. In 1860
Robert was the Demo ratio nominee for Con-
gress from the Peoria district but was de-
feated The partnership between the broth
ers continued for twenty one years with some
intermisson At the outbreak of the civil war
Robert was a strong abolitonlst and enlisted
in the Union army, afterwards becoming COL
onel of the Eleventh regiment of Illinois cav
airy and year and q half later he united his
fortunes with the Republican party.
At the close Of the war he was appointed
attorney general for the state OF Illinois. In
the national Republican convention OF 1875 he
proposed the name OF James q Blaine for
that party's candidate for President OF the
United States 1t was In this speech that
Colonel Ingersoll made use Of the famous eX-
preston, 'plumed knight" in reference
to the chivalrlc nature OF Blaine's ex-
position of Republican principles on the
floor Of Congress. This expression be-
came the rallying cry of the Republic
an campagn and stuck TO Blaine oil
his life. 1t was this Presidential nominating
speech that directed national attention to the
new orator. From that time he was in great
demand as political speaker and he did en-
ergetic service for the Republican party cam
paign. In 1877 he refused the post OF minister
to Germany, preferring to devote his time and
talents 10 his profession and literary pur-
suits.
Colonel Ingersoll has taken part In num-
erous cele brated lawsuits in all parts OF the
country, and was counsel for the so-called star
route conspirators. whose trial ended In an &C
quittal in 1883. During late years he was
located in New York city, where he had elab-
crate ofices in Wall street.
Ingecsolls views religion are, probably
the greatest source of his notorlety, and every
where his books, lie cturcs and pamphlets. d.
rected against the Christian religion. were
commented upon. OF his books, the most Ia
nous are THE Gods" Ghosts" and Prose,
Poems and Selections" while Some Mistakes
of Moses aud 'SuperStitutions" are his best
known lectures Tho latter he delivered In
Kansas City last January.
1t was in the constant eXploitat on OF his
apnostic views that Colonel Ingersoll held pub
lie attention. Opposed as he was to all rellg-
ious teachings his chief object in life was to
disprove the authenticity of the Bible and the
Mr. Ingersoll also held advanced ideas on the
subject Of suicide, claiming that such course
was not only justihable, but positively COM
mendable in certain cases