The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-31
He PASSES AWAY
Nereus Baldwin, the Photo
grapher Is Dead.
HIS GENTLE, LOVING LIFE
And His Affection for Art and
Nature.
HIS GENTLE, LOVING LIFE

Last evening at 81 o'clock Nereus
Baldwin passed away. All during the day
he had been sinking rapidly, and the ply
sician, DR.. Whiuocl, went to the home
late yesterday afternoon to remain with
him to the end. and knowing that he
could not live until midnight
He passed away quietly. His family
was at his bedside, two having come long
distances to be with lin.
There was onIy one Nereus Baldwin.
None other was like him, or ever viii be.
/ He was one Of the most reticent men in
the world; he had the face of an artist,
clear-cut, spiritual features which were
/ luminous with artistic ms t1nct. a soft,
loving eye and a voice that was gentle
always. He was the Oldest Photographer
in Wichita, one Of the oldest in photog-
raphy IN the world Of the thousands OF
brides and gr0oms who came before him,
and who as the years swept by brought
their babies. one after the otner, to him,
and the babies themselves grown to man
hood and womanhood came to him as
brides and grooms ana watched LIS easy,
quiet movements about his camera, he all
ways appeared a man Of mystery. only
those who anew him well, surprising
well. understood the mental depths he
sounded or appreciated what a heen
clear, logical scientific mentality his was
He brought the first telescope to Wichita
ana in the day when the city was yOung
he alone knew or cared for the movement
Of the planets. But he Ioved the stars
be loved the clements he loved the be-
nign harmonies OF a designful sentient
universe. 10 him a question in biol
ogy, in geology, in astronomy. was to re-
ceive a fair, clear. comprehensive answer.
And yet in all his years O. residence in
this city few knew him.
Those few loved him for his decision.
his fairness and ais clear insight into
Nature
His habits were regular. He never rode
in a street car; ne never probably attend
ed a public meeting. He never ate in
restaurant. He did not avoid crowds or
the street. Out his lie and his thoughts
found no demand for tie stimulus crowds
give. He walked to the gallery usually
once q day, most always alone, his long,
soft hair crowne- witch q soft broad brim-
med hat. always meditative. Sometimes
to those who knew IN and loved him he
seemed a poet who felt l.e futlity of
words am was conteu1 to feel what it
would be vain to express.
He loved music ana his children are all
accomplished musicians. Re loved a game
Of chess. --e loved his grandchildren. He
loved his home. lie loved his Art. lie
loved Nature.
He was - years old, and of Quaker
stock, having been corn in Indiana. In
very early day he came to Lawrence,
Kansas. and from Lawrence to Park City
now gone). once rival of Wichita.
From that town he moved to Wichita,
having a photographers car located on
the Schweiter corner Of Main and Doug
las, where. being the first real artist who
ness. Next his car was just east Of
what IS now the Eagle Office. Then he
moved to the present location.
HIS collection Of negatives and photo
graphs is the most extensive in this part
Of the country. He preserved the first
photograph he ever took.
He had been i'll with a complication Of
ailments at his home for two months
Two weeks ago there was a rally but 1t
was not permanent. and yesterday he be-
gan to sink Mrs Baldwin and his three
children survive him. Fred Baldwin,
Charles Baldwin of Sioux City who ar
rived yesterday. ana Mrs. Mosceiine
Baldwin Conman Of Baltimore, who ar
rived in Wichita two weeks ago.
The funeral viii take place Monday
from the home at No. I4-5 NorlA Law
renee avenue.