The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-01

dealings the colonel had been found to be straightforward, honest and truthful; and his friends here think that if he has taken any money belonging to the other heirs the act Is at marked variance with, all other acts of his life.
 When the remains of Colonel Blees ar- rived in Macon, automobiles, carriages and vehicles of all sorts were strung out for two blocks along the railway yards. As the red coffin box was carried from the express car to the hearse every man down the long file removed his hat
 Day Made a Holiday.
 The day of the funeral was by official proclamation made a holiday in order that everybody might attend 1t. All the fraternal orders. the old soldiers, the city administration and the school children tformed in procession ahead of the hearse and carriages. It was the last tribute of the people to the man who had practical ly made their town.
 No one here has ever been able to gauge the extent of Colonel Blees' fortune. It had been variously estimated at from s10.- GOO 900 to S25,000000
 Tn the early days after he had entered into possession of it he spent prodiglous sums in charity and in the entertaining Of his friends. He travelled in private cars rom one end of the land to the oth- CT on one occasion when on his way to Europe he took as his travelling compan- lon clerk in one of the Chicago hotels Just because the clerk had by some tact Iul courtesy won his admiration.
 ne was constantly indulging in unusual enterprises. He chartered railroad train 10 bring some of his friends in St. Louis 10 Macon to take Thanksgiving dinner Wlth him, the condition being that the run should beat all previous records up to date and hcId Fo,
 ohF1s smith, veteran engineman, did the tricH and earned the money for the road Ths colonel could have got a spe- clal out of St. Louis to this place for $500. but 1t cost him SS1,000 with the added con dltion of a record run.
 lne colonel set great store on the value or his time during business hours He had hours plenty when friend called on him socially, but when he was occu- pied on business subject the moments were as money.
 He was summoned before notary pub lie once to give deposition. The legal rate Tor a witness before a notary Is S1 day. The colonel was cross-examined for two hours. and the lawyers thanked him for his courtesy in attending the hearing
 Who pays?' asked the man of millions, as he picked up his hat.
 Waved Dollar Aside.
 The lawyer who had summoned Colonel Blees blushed and fished into his pocket book for dollar. which he timidiy held out. The colonel waved 1t aside
 Just at present my time Is worth Sf00 day. he said. You have had me here two hours; that makes $20. If you haven't the money with you, just send it around any day this wseiz. Good morning."
 He bowed pleasantly and left the of flee. He aff .d give his deposition in an open court.
 colonel Blees was born in Aix-la- Cha belle, May 30, 1860 His father was a German baron who owned coal mines and iron works. These properties had been in litigation, but just before the death of the old baron the court decided in his favor.
 Colonel Blees was the only son. and on the death of his parents he took charge of the estate. which he promptly trans ferred to America, and immediately there after there was something doing for the last ten years of the heirs busy life.
 Colonel Blees came to America in 1881. and while teaching school in Louisiana met handsome southern girl, Mary Sta pies, al a baseball game They were soon afterward married
 During his early life in America the colonel had the vicissitudes of young man who had to win his spurs. Because Of the litigation his father was unable to | assist him, From Louisiana the young officer went to Iowa, and while residing | there was military instructor in a large academy. Then he came to Macon and took charge of St. James Military acade- my, which had been Nestablshed in 1875 by Bishop Talbot of Pennsylvania.
 After Bishop Talbot left the academy 1t went down, and when Colonel Blees took l charge 1t was in a totterng condition but he soon revltalized it. and was succeeding well with it when called to Europe by the death of his father.
 q don't care to live to be a very old man." Colonel Blees remarked soon after he came into his fortune Give me ff- teen years from now, and I will be sats- fed. Fifteen we'll spent useful years. when a man Is working at his very best and has the means to work with. ought l to be sufficient"
 i Fate denied the prayer by five years.