The following are excerpts taken from the front pages of local newspapers, Fulton Telegraph and Callaway Weekly Gazette, reporting Captain Samuel Blount’s death on January 6, 1892, in Fulton, Missouri. The date of publication in each case was January 14, 1892.
Excerpted by C. Richard Blount, a great-grandson of Captain Samuel Blount. C. Richard Blount is a resident of Columbia, Missouri. (Email: Richard@Blount.org)
"Death of Captain Samuel Blount"
Fulton
Telegraph
Few men who have ever lived in Callaway County were more universally known than Captain Samuel Blount. He came to Callaway County more than fifty years ago and as a farmer, maintained himself for many years in agricultural pursuits. He was a man of great energy, with an active brain and original process of reasoning. While engaged in agricultural pursuits, he was frequently called upon to adjust or arbitrate differences and disputes between neighbors, and this led to an examination of statute law. These examinations familiarized him with the statutes, and he often appeared in the justices’ courts as an attorney for plaintiff or defendant. His native talent was his principal resource, as his early education, from some cause had been neglected. But his ingenuity, his quick perceptions and his ardor in whatever cause he expoused, stood him in hand. And he coped ably and often successfully with men whose opportunities had been better and whose resources of early training and large libraries gave a decided advantage in the preparation and trial of litigated cases.
Having practiced for many years in the lower courts of the county, he quit the farm, and for many years – about thirty – has resided in Fulton, where, having been admitted to practice in the circuit and county courts, he became permanently identified with the Fulton bar.
Captain Blount was a man of many excellent qualities. He had an instinctive appreciation of justice, was ever recognized as honorable and, to the extent of his ability, liberal. He was an unskilled, but forceful speaker and a tireless worker. He never forgot the interests of his clients, but worked industriously and effectively for all who entrusted their business to his hands. Fidelity to whatever cause he espoused was a leading characteristic of the man, and he toiled and wrought with energy and ambition to accomplish the end he sought.
Captain Blount was a just and honest man. While he toiled for his client, he never forgot the rights of his opponent, and, though he employed every resource of law to achieve victory, he never sought a verdict by questionable methods.
Age, toil and a gradually declining physical energy, brought mental depression and rapid decay. For the cure of the former, he was sent to the lunatic asylum about a year ago. But the infirmities of age were upon him, and neither youth nor manly vigor could be restored. He was a captain of militia for many years, but , we believe, was never engaged in actual warfare. He was honest, fearless in the right, true to his convictions and sincere in his appreciation of duty. Peace to his ashes.
"Two Old Pioneers Gone"
Callaway
Weekly Gazette
No two men in this country were better known, no two men have figured in every public movement of any note in the Kingdom of Callaway, no two came as near knowing and becoming familiarly by every old resident. In fact, no two men ever deserved the name of thorough and typical Callawegians more than Thomas B. Harris and Captain Samuel Blount. Both of these old patriots and landmarks passed away on the same day, January 6, 1892. Mr. Harris died at 6 PM and Captain Blount at 10 PM, the former 76 and the latter 86 years old. Both were Kentuckians and came to Missouri away back at the beginning of business in the west. Both were uncompromising Democrats and men of fixed opinions generally. Both were quick to forgive a fault in a friend but their enmity was not desirable. Mr. Harris was a consistent member of the Baptist Church and unusually well informed on religious topics and doctrines. Captain Blount united with the Methodist Church several years ago and was a consistent member of that denomination. Like most other men, they had their enemies, both of them possessed more than the usual admirable traits of character and did much to make this county what it is today. La Grippe killed both of them.
Capt. Blount
In the Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri December term, 1891, in the matter of the death of Samuel Blount, an attorney at law and member of this bar:
WHEREAS, The fact has been made known to this court and this bar that Samuel Blount, its oldest member departed this life on the 6th inst., at the city of Fulton, and, whereas, it is manifest to every one who has known Capt. Blount during his active life, as a citizen, a neighbor, and lawyer, that he was a man faithful and devoted in every duty incumbent on him in all the relations of life, it therefore becomes us, as his associates in our profession to recognize his virtues in this official way that their recollection may be preserved on our records. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the judges of this court and the members of this bar do hereby declare that Samuel Blount, who died in the eighty-seventh year of his age, was true to every duty as a lawyer, ever to a client and prompt in the discharge of his duties, possessed of fine native legal ability and of great force in impressing his judgment on court and jury. That we regret having been forced, by course of nature’s law, to part from his company and association. We can only commend to ourselves his virtues.
Resolved, That we extend to the widow and family our sincere condolence. That as a token of respect we attend his funeral and that these resolutions be saved on the records of this court.
John A. Hockaday, Judge.
W. Boulware
D. P. Bailey.