Evening star., 1942-05-17

Montgomery Blair, Post
master General In Li1coln's
cabinet, uho received the Blair
house as a gift from his father,
F. P. Blair.
the century. In the exciting issues which
divided men and parties In the days Of
President jackson, Mr.- Blair. as an
editor, an adviser and . politician. was
most prominent and exerted powerful
influence. In the period proceeding and
during the Civil War he was also prom
fnent figure He has outliyed most OF
those with whom he took an active part
in public affairs. When his son, F. P.
Blair, jr., was a mere boy Mr.. Blair said
his hope was to live to see that boy a
man. The boy died at the age of SO
years after a most eventful career, and
months
Francis Preston Blair was born in
Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia,
April II, 17s1, and was consequently in
the eighty-sixth year OF his age" This
reference to Abingdon probably means
the old home of John Parke Custis. son
Of Mrs. Washington, which Is now part
Of the Washington Airport.
Continuing, The Star says: HE was
educated at Transylvania University.
Kentucky, and studied law. but from i'll
health and weakness Of voice never en-
gagged IN the practice. He took an early
part in politics and In 1923 supported
Henry Clay for the Presidency, but dis
sented from his views, especially in rela-
ton to the United States. When in 1929
the notification movement was devel-
oped in South Carolina Mr. Blair pub
lished an article against 1t in Kentucky
newspaper which attracted the attention
of President jackson. vino invited the
writer to become the editor of the Globe"
Montgomery Blair, son Of Francis
Preston Blair. and who became Post
master General in Lincoln's cabinet,
died at Falkland, his country residence.
near Silver Spring, Md, passing away
early in the morning of July 27, 1883.
The cause of his death was infiamma-
ton of the membranes of the spine
from which he had suffered for some
years.
At the time of his death he was 10
years of age, and besides his wife. Mary
Elizabeth Blair he left three sons and
a daughter: Woodbury., Gist, Montgom-
cry and Minna Blair 1t is rather IN
usual that Francis P. Blair, father OF
Montgomery Blair. also left three sqps
and a daughter-Montgomery. Francis,
James and Elizabeth.
Montgomery Blair was born in Frank
lin County. KY, May 10, 1918. was grad
uated from West Point In 1885. After
serving in the Seminole War he re-
signed his commission one year after
graduating and began the practice OF
law in st. Louis, Mo, where he achieved
prominence. He became United States
district attorney for Missouri and In
1s43 was elected to the bench. In 1852
he removed to Maryland and became
a prominent figure in politics there.
Originally the Blairs were Democrats.
but they Joined the Republican ranks
at the inception OF the party, return
ing again to their first love some years
after the close of the Civil War.
Montgomery Blair was counsel for the
plaintiff in the famous -Dred Scott case
in 1857, and represented Sanual j.
Tlden before the electoral commits
sion of l876-T. AS postmaster he was
the first to advance the idea Of the free
delivery system.
His funeral took place at Rock Greek
Church July 20, 1883, and he was In
TERED in the family vault In that
churchyard. The pallbearers were JOS
eph H. Bradley. Fred Pilling. Spencer
Watkins, e. P. Jones. Julius e. NARROW.
Dr.. James n. Davidson and J. Q. o.
Carroll. So .-.-..