Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-07-28
Death Of an Eminent Man.

nome, NaIStOn-On-H udSOn, near
Debbs' Ferry, n. V, last Friday. His
death, which was sudden and unex-
pected, resulted from heart disease,
which lie has suffered several wears.
It was during the Republican Ma
tional Convention of 1896. that he
sustained a relapse which indicated this
iniirmity, and it will be remembered
that his illness then compelled an inn
mediate return to his home. He has
ever since been under the care OF a
physician, although there were no pre-
monitorv symptoms of his death.
The night before his death, Col. In
gersoll spent the evening in games OF
billiards with members of his family,
and seemed to be in better health
when he retired than he had enjoyed
for several days. The next morning
he arose at the usual hour and Joined
the family at breakfast. He then
said he had spent bad night, but felt
better. He had been suffering from
abdominal pains and tightness about
the chest. He did not think his con-
dition at all dangerous. After break
fast he telephoned to DR.. Smith, his
physician, who is at Bell Haven, and
told him of his experience during the
night. DIR. Smith told him, he said,
to continue the use of nitroglycerin
and that he would see him during the
day.
Col. Ingersoll spent the morning
swinging in hammock and sitting on
the veranda with the members of his
family. He said he was better and
had no pain.
At 1890 he started to 60 up stairs.
On reaching the head OF the stairs,
Col. Ingersoll turned in to his wife's
room. Mrs. ingersoll was there. To-
gether they discussed what they would
have Tor luncheon, and Col. Ingersoll
said he had better not eat much, ow-
ing to the trouble with his stomach.
He seemed in good spirits then.
After talking for few minutes Col.
lngersoll crossed the room and sat
down in rocking chair. He leaned
his head upon his hand, which rested
on the back of the chair. Mrs. Inger-
soil asked how he was feeling, and he
replied: "Oh, better"
Those were his last words. A Sec
ond after they were uttered he was
dead. The only sign noticed by Mrs.
Ingersoll was that the whites of his
eyes suddenly showed. There was not
even sigh or groan as death came.
Doctors were hastily called, hut their
verdict was that death had come in
stantly.
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 full consciousness SO he
might tell those about him how it
felt. Recently, he experienced a
change OF desire, to die painlessly and
without warning.
Robert Green Ingersoll was born in
Dresden, N. ", August IL, 1888.
His father was Congressional clergy
man of such broad views as frequently
to cause dissension between himself
and his parish. The sons boyhood
was spent in Wisconsin and Illinois,
where the family removed in 1843.
after studying law he opened an Of
fee in Shawnestown, ILL.,, with his
brother Eben, who was subsequently a
member Of Congress. Both engaged
in politics, but the surroundings were
uncongenial, and in 1857 they re.
moved to Peoria. In 1860 Robert was
a Democratic candidate for Congress,
but was defeated. In 1862 he became
Colonel of the Eleventh Illinois
cavalry, and a year and a half later
united with the Republican party. In
1866 he was appointed Attorney GEN
eral for Illinois. At the National Re-
publican Convention in 1876 he pro-
posed the name of James G. Blaine for
the Presidential nomination in a
speech that attracted much attention.
From that time his services as a CAM
paign orator were in demand through
out the country. In 1877, he refused
the post of minister to Germany. He
took part in numerous noted law
suits in all parts OF the county, and
was counsel Of the so.called star.route
conspirators, whose trial ended in
acquittal in 1883. He was we'll known
by his books, pamphlets and speeches
directed against the Christian religion.
He published "The Gods" "Ghosts,'
"Some Mistakes of Moses" "Prose
Poems and Selections" and a large
number of minor works.
MARK Jones, a constant reader of
the STANDARD, q native of Gloucester,
England, corrects the statement that
the first efforts of Robert Raikes in
establishing Sunday schools were made
in London. He says it was in his ma
tive city about the close OF 1881, that
Raikes began this philanthropic labor.
Our correspondent is correct in the
matter, but it was not long till he ex.