Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-12-07
THE SEN TIN Ell.
ROOKvILLH. MD.
Friday Morning......Ds December z, 1905.
DEATH OF GEN. VICTOR BA UGH
MAN

DEATH OF GEN. VICTOR BA UGH
MAN.
Gen. l.. Victor Baughman, whose death
occurred at his home, Poplar Terrace, In
Frederick county, last Friday morning, had
for many years been prominent in the social
and political life of the State. Gen. Baugh-
mans illness began in 1905, when in the
latter part Of August he contracted severe
cold attending q political gathering at Brad
dock Heights. For two months he was sick
and, although his condition improved, it was
the beginning of a trouble that gradually
Slapped his vitality.
General Baughman was So years old. He
was born in Frederick and was the son of
the late ]. W. Baughman. His education
was obtained at Rock Hill and Mount st.
Mary's Colleges, but when the late Civil
War broke out he left college, ran the block
ade and joined the Confederate Army. He
was first member OF the Maryland Infan-
try, but later was transferred to Company ID,
First Maryland Cavalry. His record as q
soldier was gallant one. He was taken
prisoner at Moorfeld and held at Camp
Chase, Ohio, for nine months before being
exchanged.
Upon The ieGtb 81 bis father, about SO
years ago, General Baushman, who had
been engaged IN business iG New York
wlssie 80 .tas o541Uuye1 Win sle & ESQ .saa
sstt Steamship Company with bis brother
succeeded to the msnAgemep, Of the Fred
erick CgtssF,-ihen, az now, one Of the
strongest go most Influential Of tho county
papers Of Maryland.
He was first q candidate for Office in 1885,
whom he ran for Congress In the Sixth Con-
gressional district against Louis E. McCo.
mas. He made ui-IiwInu Camprk. =cd
was. onir deieated by the small majority of
AIS votes in district normally Republican
by from 5000 to 1000.
The following year he was nom mated on
the Democratic ticket as the candidate for
State Comptroller and was elected by a ma.
jority of $500. Two years later he was re-
elected, and this was the last time he ever
ran for office, although upon q number of
occasions he had been asked TO again make
the fight for Congress, it being claimed that
through him alone could the Sixth district
be wrested from the Republicans.
Aside from the Comptrolletship, General
Baughman held two semi-puhlic positions
of Importance in Maryland. One of these
was president of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Cana, which he held for two terms. While in
this Office he lsbored hard for the upbuild.
ing of the canal in order that 1t might pro-
tect itself against the railroads. His official
record was good one-and he made strong
fight for the rights of the canal.
September IS, 1901, Gov. John Walter
Smith appointed General Baughman di
rector in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
with the late Senator German, to represent
the States holdings in the Washington
Branch OF that corporation. The work was
not particularly arduous, though General
Baughman used to frequently attend the
board meetings, which were always held in
New York.
General Baughman's most noteworthy act
in his railroad connection was the report
signed Jointly by Senator German and him.
self in which the policy of the company
toward the Washington Branch was severe
iy criticised. For some time prior to this
no dividends had been paid on this stock, of
which the State owned $550,000. 1t was
this report, 1t is said, which primarily led up
TO the sale of the States holdings in the
Washington Branch. This was effected
last spring at cost of something more than
$3.50 share, which the railroad company
paid the State. With the sale of this stock
the State had no further direct interest in
the Baltimore and Ohio and no authority
vested in it to name directors. Senator Cor
man and General Baughman, therefore, nat.
urally dropped out of the board.
The last service which General Baugh-
man performed for his State was as chair.
man of the Maryland Commission to the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition at st. Louis
He was named as the head Of this commits.
sion by Governor Smith and 1t was mainly
through his influence that the Legislature
made the necessary appropriation which
made it possible for Maryland to be repre-
sented. General Baughman took the great
est interest in this work, and those who
visited the st. Louis Fair will bear wit.
ness to the success of his efforts The
Maryland building and the Maryland ex.
hibits at that exposition were of kind OF
which no Marylander could feel ashamed.
Maryland hospitality was dispensed from the
building and the several entertainment
there given were among the most notable
held on the grounds.
General Baughman married Miss Helen
Abel, daughter Of the late A. s. Abel, the
founder OF the Baltimore Sun, who, with
two children, survives him. The children
are Col. e. Austin Baughman and Mrs
DR.. Charles H. Conley.
General L. Victor Baughman was better
known and had more friends among Demo.
Gratis OF other parts of the Union than any
man who has lived in Maryland in recen,
years.
In this State the men who we're fond Of
him were numerous in every county, as
well as in Baltimore City, and his personal
popularity was great among all classes. He
was known from one end of Maryland to
the other and his death removes forcelul
and prominent figure in the Democratic
party.
The best years OF his life were given t.
the service OF the party. He was regular
of the regulars. He had fought for the cause
of Democracy in season and out of season
and be never wavered OF hesitated when the
party needed him.
His natural gifts and talents, his genial
nature, warm heart and engaging manners
were such as TO make the friends he had alb
solutely devoted TO him. There are many