The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-15
Blind Chaplain of vt. Senate,
Rev. M. w. Farman, Was
Stricken with Apoplexy
DIED THIS MORNING
AFTER A FEW HOURS
He Was 81 Years of Age and
Had Been Sightless Since
20 Years of Age

Death was an unbidden guest at the
reunion banquet of the Vermont Senate
of 1904 at the Pavilion hotel in Montpe
lier last night when it came and claimed
/ the blind chaplain of the Senate since
| 1902, Rev Marcellus W. Farman, resi-,
dent of Westfeld. The chaplain was
nearing the end of his post t-prandial talk
and, apparently in some bodily distress
he said that as he was not feeling well
he would conclude his remarks. The
words had no more than left his lips
when he collapsed, falling forward par
tally on the table, where he was sup
ported by two banqueters sitting near.
The unconscious man was carried from
tire dining-room and taken to the parlors
of the hotel, where two of his colleagues
in the 1904 Senate, DIR. w. Scott Nay of
UnderhiH and DR.. i. J. Fish of Royalton
attended him, aided a little later by DR..
C. f. Chandler of Montpelier. The pa
tient recovered consciousness but his left
side was paralyzed, and it was with diff
Guilty that he talked and could be made
to understand. Two trained nurses were
brought to the sick room in the Pavilion,
quarters having been made ready for him
there. The patient, however, failed to
rally and passed away at 4 o'clock this
morning. Apoplexy was given as the
cause OF death.
1t was noticed at the Senate chamber
yesterday afternoon that Mr.. Farman
did not seem TO be in his usual health,
as he WAS lying down on a couch. Prob
ably his condition was aggravated by the
80 L., - "A. ha
banquet.
In many respects Rev. Mr.. Farman
was remarkable man. Losing his eye
sight at the age of 20 years he persevered
and finished his education Mt the Univer
sity of Vermont. after preparatory train
ing in his native town OF Westfield and
at johnson Normal school, and was or
dained TO the Congregational ministry in
1901. Ever since that time he had been
located in Westileld, conducting the usual
duties of a pastor, going out on the lee
ture platform throughout the state and
serving as chaplain of the Vermont SEN
ate for Is years. He was a speaker of
force and clearness of ex-
preston and he was able to hold his au-
diences by peculiar power.
for public speaking many years
before being ordained as a minister. He
made his first real entry on the public
platform as far back as 1890, when he
was 25 wears OF age and few years after
his physical affliction had come upon him.
In the political campaign of 1892 he took
quite a prominent part on the stump, as
he also did four years later. In recent
years he has given lectures, besides
carrying on his other duties. He was
registrar of the Orleans Association Of
Churches and was scribe |
II its general council He had held nu- |
nerous offices in his home town.
Rev. Mr.. Farmsn was the son of Ash |
ey and Harriet N. (Winslow) Farman. |
He was born on July %, 1865. His
known there are no near relatives surviv- |
ng. His death makes the second break |
n the ranks of the 1917 Senate, Senator
". ]. Kendall of West Windsor having |
lied early in the session.
Grief Expressed in Legislature.
Both the Senate and the House adopt
d resolutions on the death of Chaplain
9arman this forenoon and adjourned in
lonor of his memory. At the opening of
he Senate, Lieut.. Hulburd said:
Senators, we meet this morning under
he shadow of a great sorrow. A great,
-ood man has gone, man who has act
d as chaplain of this Senate for many
ears, and for many years has CROPPED
is way in darkness. Let us believe, in
pite of doubt, in spite of fear, that
omehow, somewhere, darkness has given
ray to the Joy of light. May ask your
Indulgence for time while | read what
Gems to me to be a very appropriate
oem, written by Mrs. Helen Hunt"
|