Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-07
.CHAS. H. LAIRD DEAD
Expert Rideman and Winner
of Honors and Medals.
VICTIM OF PARALYSIS
INTERMENT TOMORROW AT GLEN
WOOD CEMETERY.
Deceased Had Been in Government
Service Since 167o-Prominent in
National Guard Circles.
VICTIM OF PARALYSIS

Charles H. Laird of the finance division.
Office of the third assistant postmaster gen..
eral, Post Office Department, whose death
occurred yesterday at his residence, 618
street northwest, after illness of two
weeks, was one of the most expert rife
shots of the world. Mr.. Laird was stricken
with paralysis November ~. and since that
time has been gradually sinking, his death
resulting after he had been in an uncon-
scious condition for two days.
Funeral services will be held at the FAM
lily residence tomorrow morning at III
O'Clock. The services will be conducted by
Rev. Joseph Kelly, pastor of the Fourth
| Presbyterian Church. Mt. Pleasant. The
pallbearers will be selected from among
his most intimate friends in the Post Office
Department and the Treasury Department.
The interment will be in Glenwood ceme-
terry.
Mr.. Laird suffered a previous stroke OF
paralysis July 20. 1907. and was confined to
his bed for several months He improved,
however, and resumed his duties at the
office until July last. when he went to Dem
yer. Col, with view of recuperating. He
remained a month and returned much bene-
fitted, and resumed his official duties. The
last stroke almost completely paralyZed
him. and during his illness he Was hardly
able to speak above a whisper, and only a
few words at a time.
Long in Government Service
Mr.. Laird has been employed in the Post
Office Department since 1879, having come
to this city from Freeport, ILL.,, where he
had been enga ged at his trade as printer.
He had worked himself up during his long
years of service in the government until he
was considered the most expert handler OF
the pen in the finance division. For many
II w n
of money from the Treasury Department
to the post office to pay the employees In
this manner he became intimate with the
treasury officials, with whom he was most
popular. He was a member of the Anal0S-
tan Gun Club, and was one of the most ex-
pert fly and spoon fishermen in the District.
He was born in Columbus. Ohio April IL,
1S47. Early in life he became an expert
rifle shot. For five years he was first lieu
tenant of Company b, 9th Battalion, and
during that period did much to encourage
rifle shooting in the District Guard In the
centennial year he was one of the organ
izers of the National Rifle Club of WASH
ington, and also of the Columbia Rifle Club.
He was member of the National Rifles
Club team of twelve men which went to
Dublin, Ireland, in 1880, to shoot against
the Irish team. The prize won was cup,
and his score was thirteen consecutive
bull s-eyes at 800 yards In 1879 Mr.. Laird
won the Wimbledon cup in New York,
which gained for him the title of "interna-
tfonal champion" He was member of the
National Guard team of the District which
won the famous 5000 Hilton trophy four
consecutive years.
Owner of Valuable Medal.
Among MIR. Laird's most valuable medals
is the Cuttings trophy, medal set with
large diamond, which was thrice won by
him and became his property. Besides
these he had a large collection of medals
given by the National Guard of the Dis
trict for distinguished Workmanship"
and also the souvenir badge of service on
the brigade rifle team of the District. His
best record was made in 1884 at Benning,
d. c., in the National Guard shoot, when
he scored fifteen consecutive bulP s-eyes out
of possible fifteen, making total score
of 541 out of possible 675, at distance
of l $50 yards. In recent years Mr.. Laid
was not able to devote much time to rifle
shooting, but he rendered valuable services
at the encampmentS at Sea Girt three years
ago. where he coached the District brigade
rifle team. Two years ago he again ac
companied the rifle team to Sea Grt and
devoted his attention to the younger marks
men, all of whom were benefited by his
early experience with the rifle and knoWl-
edge of rifle shooting.
Mr.. Laird was possessed Of a kind and
cheerful disposition, and among his asso-
ciates in Office and In business affairs he
was very popular and was held in the
highest esteem by his superior officers. He
was a warm personal friend of Gen. George
H. Harries, commanding the District mill
tia, and of Majo James E. Bell inspector
of rifle practice, D. c. NJ. with whom he
was closely connected in all matters per-
tanning to the rifle practice of the National
Guard
Mr.. Laird was unmarried. A sister, Miss
Belle Laird of Parkersburg W. Va, who
has been nursing him during his last ILL
ness. and two brothers, Edward Laird. edi-
tor of the News. Central City, Col, and &.
Morgan Laird of Oklahoma territory, sur
vive him