The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-19
Well Known St. Louis
Citizen Dies i'm
Florida
CAUSE OF DEATH
Mr.. Blair Was General Counsel OF
the ST. Louis Exposition Until a
Short Time Ago When Charges Of
Official Misconduct Were Made
Against Him, When He Resigned,
His Health Became Bad and the
Trip to Florida Was Taken in
Search OF Relief.

Eustis, Fla. January 16.-James L
Blair of St Louis. Mo-, died here this
morning Mr.. Blair came here about
it was thought that he was improving
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. 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 posi-
tions they resigned owing to- certain
charges of official misconduct on the
part Of the deceased. Mr.. Blair had
sustained a severe injury to his ankle
before he came here and this with his
mental condition is believed to have
haStened his death. The cause of
death given in the physicians certifi-
cate is cerebral congestion. The body
was embalmed today and will be ship
ped to St Louis by this evening 8
train. accompanied by Mrs. Blair and
her son.
St. Louis, Mo-, January 16.-Jan!es
Lawrence Blair. former general coua-
sci fer4tfe louisiana PurchaseGzSxpo-
sition who died today at Eustis, Fla,
was born in st. Louis April II, 1854
He was the third son of General
Francis Preston Blair and the grano
son of Francis Preston Blair of Wash
ington, 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 4
beautiful residence in the suburbs west
Of the city and were leaders in the
social life of st. Louis.
Last October ruInorS were circulated
connecting Mr.. Blair's name with al
legged fraudulent transactions in con.
Quoting the affairs of the Low estat'
Of this city of which he was a trustee
The rumors finally were published as
facts. Mr.. Blair became i'll frcr
worry over the rumors and upon theil
publication denied them and threaten
ed to sue for libel. The suit was neve,
instituted but instead the grand jur!
| began an investigation.
His resignation as general counse
| for the worlds fair was rendered ant
accepted. The grand jury investiGa
ton resulted in indictments being re
turned against him on two charges o
| forgery and he was placed under
| 500, 900 bond. During the investigation
| the family residence was relinquisheC
| and Mr.. Blair was taken to the Mul
| lanphy hospital.
AS soon as bond had been arrange,
| on the indictments. Mr. and Mrs. Blai
| left the hospital in December, ant
went to Eustis, Fla, in the hope tina
his health might be benefited by tn
| change Of climate and environment
| While in Florida, the resignation o
| Mrs. Blair as president Of the board u
| lady managers of the worlds fair wa
| rendered to the national committee ant
accepted.
Mr.. Blair's trial was to have cuIr,
up during the February term of tn
| circuit court