The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-07-26
ROBERT INGERsoLL DEAD.
The Famous Orator Dies Suddenly Of Heart
Disease-HIs Last Words.

Robert @. Ingersoll died at his home,
Walston- ON Hudson, near Dobbs Fer
ry, New York, last Friday. His death
was sudden and unexpected, and ie-
suited from the heart disease from
which he suffered since 1896. In that
year during the Republican national
convention he was taken Ill, and had
to return home. He never fully re-
covered from this attack OF heart dis
ease, and was under the care Of ply
sicians constantly.
Friday morning he rose at the usual
hour and Joined the family at break
fast. He then said he had spent d bad
night. but felt better. He had been
surering from abdominal pains and
tightness about the chest. lie did not
think his condition at all dangerous.
At 1890 he started to go upstairs.
On reaching the head of the stairs Col.
lngersoll turned into his wife's room.
Mrs. Ingersoll was there. After talk
ing for few minutes Col. Ingersoll
crossed the room and sat down in q
rocking chair. Mrs. Ingersoll asked
him how he was feeling, and he re-
piled: "Oh. better.
These were his last words. A Sec
ond after they were uttered he was
dead. The only sign noticed by Mrs.
lngcrsoll was that the whites of his
eyes suddenly showed. There was not
even sigh or a groan as death came.
Doctors were hastily called but their
verdict was that death had come In
stantly.
Death came to him as he had recent
ly expressed a desire 1t should. He
often In old times said he wished to die
slowly, with full consciousness, so
he might tell those about him how 1t
felt. Recently he experienced n change
of desire to die painlessly and without
warning.
Mr.. Ingersoll was born in Dresden.
n. Y, on August II. 1888. the son OF
Congregational clergyman. After
studying in the public schools he took
up the law and opened an office in
Shawneetown, Ill.
In 1862 Col. Ingersoll went to the
front as colonel of the Eleventh Illi-
nois cavalry and made an exceedingly
good record as soldier.
Col. Ingersoll served as attorney
general OF Illinois in 1866. under the
first administration of Governor Rich
ard Oglesby. In 1876. at the National
Republican convention, he proposed
the name of James G.. Blaine for the
Presidential nomination in n speech
that led to Ingersolrs being in demand
as campaign orator in every subse-
quent contest.
As lawyer Mr.. Ingersoll had taken
part in some of the most noted suits In
the country, being particularly distin-
guished as counsel to the so-called
trial ended in acquittal in 1888. His
chief fame, however, rests upon his at
tacks upon the Christian religion,
about which he produced number Of
books and minor works. beginning
with 1.-THE Gods" 1873; Ghosts" 1879;
Some Mistakes of Moses" 1879;
prose, Poems and Selections" 1879,
and several volumes of lectures.
Col. Ingersoll compelled recognition
as being sincere and honest in his
convictions. and drew many to hear
his eloquence who did not at all be-
lieve in his doctrine. 1t was he who
gave to Mr.. Blaine the title of
"Plumed Knight" which ever after
ward clung to him.
Col. Ingersoll's home life was one
of remarkable happiness. and he was
never so happy as when surrounded
by his devoted family and by his
friends, who thronged his house from
all the walks of life. He had wide
acquaintance with musicians cnd ac-
tors and was one of the most devoted
followers of Wagner opera III New
York City being particularly intimate
with the late Adam Seidl. His purse
was always ready to aid any unsec-
tartan charity
Robert G.. Ingersoll's brother-in-law
said that the colonel died poor. al
though his yearly income was immense.
Most OF II went to private charities.