The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-02-21
MRS. EAGLE GONE 70 REST
Passed Away at Her Home in Little
Rock After Long Illness.
ONE OF THE SOUTH'S BRIGHTEST WOMEN
Prominent in Club and Religious Or
ganizations-A Most Active Worker
as Member of the Ladies Worlds
Fair Board.

Mrs. Mary Kavanaugh Oldham
Eagle, the beloved wife of ex-Gov
]. P. Eagle, died at the family home
in Little Rock on the 18th inst, after
an illness extending over long per-
Tod. Mrs. Eagle was known through
out the country as a woman of eXcep-
tional talent. with most kind and
loving disposition.
Mrs. Eagle was born in Madison
county, Kentucky, February 4, 1854,
being the daughter Of VIM. X. Old
ham. a prominent citizen. Her mother
was a Virginian, Of an old Revolu
tionary family She was educated at
home until she was well in her teens
when she was sent to the school OF
Mrs. Julia A. Tevis at Shelbyville,
Ky. On January 8, 1882, she was mar
ried to Hon James p. Eagle at the
home Of her parents in Madison coun-
", Kentucky, and from the day she
became a resident of this state she
took an active interest in everything
pertaining to its welfare. In 1885
her husband was elected speaker OF
the house Of representatives, ard in
1883 was elected governor, serving
two terms. She was prominent in
club work, principally of religious
character, it being her endeavor to
realize the highest ideals in all that
she undertook. She was seldom alb
sent as a delegate to the Arkansas
Federation of Women's Clubs, and on
two occasions was chosen as dele
gate to the biennial sessions of the
national federation.
Mrs. Eagle was the president Of the
womans central committee of the
Baptist church Of Arkansas from its
organization in 1892 until the last
session Of the convention at Conway,
when she relinquished the duties on
account Of her i'll health. she organ.
lied the Woman's Missionary Union
of the state was its first president,
and prominent in the work as long
as her physical condition would per
nit She was vice-president Of the
Womans Union Auxiliary Of the
Southern Baptist Convention for two
or three years, and was always prom
inently identified with this organiza
ton.
She was a member of the board OF
lady managers of the Cnicago Worlds
Columbian Exposition in 1898, and it
was then that her talents made her
known throughout the United States.
She served as chairman of the COM
mittee on congresses, presiding over
all the congresses of the women's
building of the exposition. After the
exposition closed she was selected as
editor Of the large number Of papers
which were before the congress, her
name appearing as editor on the title
page Of the work.
Mrs Eagle had been in very bad
health the past two years Last sum
mer accompanied by her faithful and
loving husband. she spent several
months at Nantasket, on the New
England Coast, also visiting other
places, with the hope Of being bene-
fitted. From the coast she went to
Richmond, KY, where her sisters re-
side, and from there to a sanitarium
at Louisville, KY, where she remained
until just before Christmas, when
she was removed to her home at Lit
tie Rock. All efforts failed TO restore
her to health, and about two weeks
ago she and her husband became con.
WINGED tina, she could never recover
Her relatives we're notified and were
at her bedside when the end came.
She is survived by her husband,
two sisters. Mrs, John Doty and Mrs.
w. II. Miller, and three brothers. Kle
Oldham Of Little Rock, w. ~. Oldham
OF Lonoke and DR.. Ira y. Oldham Of
Kirksville, Ky.
In accordance with n proclamation
issued by the governor, all business
at the state house was suspended at
noon on the nth. the date Of Mra
Eagles funeral.