Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-11-02
KEGlEY, GRANGE HEAD
DIES IN SPOKANE
Former Pullman Nun SuccumbS 10
Attack of Pneumonia-Lived
Active Life and Accom-
plished Much for
Farmers


Grange and appraiser for the fed
eral land bank at Spokane, died at
the Deaconcss hospital in Spokane
Monday night from pneumonia. Mr..
Kegley farmcd extensively near Pull
man for several years prior to remov-
ing to Palouse and was we'll known
in this locality. Concerning Mr..
Kegley's demise the Spokane Chron-
icle had the following to say:
Mr. Kegley's death was uneXpcct-
ed, and his illness short. becoming
serious only last Saturday, when he
was admitted to the hospital.
For six months he had been an
appraiser for the federal land bank,
and in spite of his official position
was reelected at the convention in
Wenatchee to head the Grange for
1917.
Though a constant visitor to Spo-
kane, and an active participant i'll
local political enterprises. Mr.. Keg-
ley made his residence in the city
only after taking up the connection
with the land bank. Assistance in
the creation of the federal rural
credits system was probably the most
effective of Mr.. Kegley's recent
activities.
Called to Washington several
times during the consideration Of
the measure, he was one of the men
suggested for appointment to the ma
tional farm loan board 1t was stat
ed on good authority that the board
rendered him the presidency of the
Spokane bank, but that he refused
to accept it, declaring that man of
more banking experience, finally
found in d. G. O'Shea, was needed to
organize its work.
Previously Mr.. Kegley. as the Off
cial spokesman of the Grange, led in
the fight for the adoption of the in
itiative and referendum in the state,
and helped organize the joint legisla-
tive committee of the farmers and
labor unions He was always
one of the two or three men whose
decisions controlled successful and
&ceuccessful attempts to use direct
legislation in the state.
An active advocate of the organi-
cation of the bull moose party. upon
its failure and death he had thrown
his influence to back up the farmers
nOn-parti2an league movement, and
had been its chief councillor in the
invasion in the Washington field
With the land bank, his work had
chiefly been that of conciliator and
mediator, and it was noticeable that
his assignments had all been to work
in fields where the rural credits sys-
TEN has had its hardest tests. His
personal ascendency in the affairs of
the State Grange was never success
fully challenged, though he led the
organization into some of the most
bitter controversies. personal and po-
litical, that the public life of the
state has experienced.
Personally, Mr.. Kegley made warm
friends and unrelenting enemies dur
ing his career An able orator, he
was tirelessly energetic in study, and
the presentation of the various polit-
ical causes which he upheld.
He was 60 years of age born in
Ames, Iowa, and made his residence
in the Palouse country since 1891.
He owned and operated a farm near
Palouse city, upon which he lived I'M
I'll taking up his residence in Spo-
kane.
His widow, one son, L. E. Kegley,
of Palouse; two daughters, Mrs. II.
f. Richter of Spokane and Mrs. l..
G. Glider of Harvard, Idaho; a
brother living in Olympia. and sis
tiers and brothers in Colorado and
Iowa, survive him.
I'VE have no doubt that the eX-
posture to changing weather condi-
tons while at work in the field was
the primal cause of Mr. Kegley's
death" declared President D. G.
O'Shea of the land bank, official SUI
perior of the deceased man.
He was most enthusiastic
worker, whose zeal induced him to
labor at all hours. and in his strenu-
Gus occupation he contracted the i'll
ness which developed into bronchial
pneumonia
I'VE found him here a man with
the widest experience and first-hand
knowledge of agricultural matters in
his field. Devoted to the service
personally most anxious TO extend
the facilities of the bank to the larg-
est number of people in the quick,
est possible time. his loss to our serv-
ice is nearly irrepaTable."