The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-17
OBITUARY..


Eustis, Fla, Jan. 16.-James L. Blair
OF St Louis, Mo-, died here this morn
ing.
Mr.. Blair came here about five weeks
ago in search of health, and it was
thought he was improving in health
until last week, when his condition
changed So alarmingly for the worse
that the physicians advised that his
wife should be telegraphed for, and
she and her son, Percy Blair, arrived
this morning, a short time before his
death.
Mr. Blair, just before coming to
Eustis, held the position of general
counsel for the st. Louis Exposition,
and Mrs. Blair that of president of
the board of lady managers, which
positions were resigned, owing to
charges of misconduct against Mr..
Blair.
Mr.. Blair had sustained a severe in
jury to his ankle before he came here,
and this with his mental condition is
believed to have FASTENED his death
The cause of death in the physicians
certificate is cerebral congestion.
The body was embalmed to-day and
will be shipped to ST. Louis by this
evenings train, accompanied by Mrs.
Blair and her son.
st. Louis. Jan. 16.-James Lawrence
Blair, former general counsel for the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, who
died to-day at Eustis, Fla, was born
in st. Louis April 2, 1854. He was the
third son Of Gen. Francis Preston
Blair, and the grandson of Francis
Preston Blair of Washington, d. c., a
friend of Lincoln and Jackson
AT the inception of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition Mr.. Blair was
made general counsel for the enter
prise, and Mrs. Blair was made presi-
dent of the board of lady managers
With their two sons. they lived in a
beautiful residence in the suburbs
west of the city. and were leaders in
the social life of st. Louis.
Last October rulnors were circulated
connecting Mr.. Blair's name with all
legged fraudulent transactions in con-
Quoting the affairs of the Blow estate,
of this city. of which he was a trus-
tCC' liS ulldlly were
ed as facts. Mr.. Blair became ill from
worry over the rumors, and upon their
publication, fatty denied Them and
threatened to sue for libel. The suit
was never instituted. but instead the
grand jury began an investigation.
His resignation as genera counsel for
the Worlds Fair was rendered and ac-
cepted. The grand jury investigation
resulted in indictments being return
ed against him on two charges of forg-
cry. and he was placed under a $4,000
bond. During the investigation, the
family residence was relinquished and
Mr.. Blair was taken to the Mullanphy
Hospital.
AS soon as bond had been arranged
on the indictments, Mr.. and Mrs. Blair
left the hospital in December, and went
to Eustis, Fla, in the hope that his
health might be benefited by the
change Of climate and environment.
While in Florida, the resignation of
Mrs. Blair as president of the board
of lady managers of the Worlds Fair
was rendered to the national commits
sion and accepted.
Mr.. Blairs trial was to have come up
during the February term of the Cir
cult Court.
Mr.. Blair leaves life insurance poll
cies amounting to nearly 81, 900. 000
Most of them it is stated, have been
assigned to his creditors and those who
aided him in his financial troubles, but
it is believed that sufficient sum has
been reserved for the family to insure
comfort.