BLAKE, McMahon - Putnam

Capt. McMahon Blake, familiarly known as Capt. WMC Blake, died at his residence in this city Thursday night, Jan 1st at 10:40 o’clock.  He had suffered a stroke of apoplexy in August which paralyzed one side, and compelled him to relinquish business after which he continued to decline until Sunday Dec 27th when a second attack completely prostrated him and that he was unable to take any kind of nourishment and death resulted as above stated. He retained his consciousness, however, until near the last and to his relatives gave assurance that he was “all right” as regarded the future.  Painlessly and peacefully he closed his earthly career at the age of 72 years three months and eight days.  The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the family residence conducted by Dr. WM Zaring and notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the rooms could not contain all who came to pay their respects to the deceased. Among those present from abroad were Mrs. Puss Scearce and Dutch Gregg of Danville and Mrs. Charles McGaughey of Indianapolis.

Capt. Blake was born in Oldham County, Kentucky and was of Irish descent. When he was eight years old his parents removed to Indiana, settling near Columbus where after a short residence they both died. After that he made his home with an elder brother in Kentucky, meantime serving an apprenticeship at the tailor’s trade. When that was completed he returned to Indiana settling at Danville where he subsequently married Miss Mary Ann Matlock who still with three children, survive him after a happy union of 51 years, four months and ten days she being on the day of his death 69 years and seven days old. Altogether, 7 children were born to them. Pauline, the first wife of Dr. JW Talbott now of Logansport died in California where they resided at the time, 23 years ago. The surviving children are: Mrs. Anna Fry, wife of Dr. AC Fry and George E. and James W. Blake all of whom are happily married and settled in life. When Capt. Blake removed from Danville here, in March 1835, he came in a hired wagon and lacked 75 cents of having enough money to pay the bill and was forced to borrow it from squire Epperson. For many years he conducted a tailor shop on the west side of the Public Square and among those yet living who learned the tradw with him are AO and JS White. Eventually, he traded in the swamp lands of Northern Indiana after which he conducted a dry goods store on the site now occupied by the First National Bank.  It was known as the Swamp Land Store, because the goods had been bought with swamp lands. This was, n time changed to the grocery business in partnership with George W. Whitworth who was succeeded in turn by JS White and CW Brown, the latter a former proprietor of the Banner.

During the war he made another change and engaged in the queensware business in which he had no partner. About 1866 he established an insurance agency and the next year took his son George into partnership, the firm name e WMC Blake & Son.  This absorbed his entire attention during the rest of his life. He was always successful in business and left a valuable estate for his family. The amount of insurance on his life was $4,180. Capt. Blake was a man of enterprise. He commanded the first militia company organized here and from this acquired his title. He belonged to the first brass band, and played the trombone.  He brought the first rocking chair and the first cooking stove to town. The former was loaned far and wide for the benefit of the sick and a number of person died sitting in it.  He also owned the first bureau made here which may still be seen at his late residence with the portrait of the maker, Greenup Lee, painted on the back.  A man named Dicks brought the first buggy to the county and he was ever after known as “Buggy Dicks.”

Capt Blake and the late R Hathaway once, desiring to go to Indianapolis in comfort and proper style, borrowed the buggy and the late John Hammond’s horse. On their return and when some miles from Indianapolis, doubt as to the identity of the horse arose and they drove back when the landlord confessed that he had made a mistake and given them the wrong animal. It was one of Capt. Blake’s peculiarities that he never could distinguish between animals very well.  To him, they all looked much alike.  Since his 18th year Capt. Blake was a member of the ME Church and was always punctual in his attendance upon divine worship as well as liberal in sustaining the church with his means. Being of a sunny nature he extracted more enjoyment from his surrounding than most men do and his social qualities were such as to have a happy influence upon all associated with him.  This was especially true of his home life. Always considerate, kind, gentle and forgiving, he was the glory of his family, few men being so idolized by wife and children and grandchildren as he.  Of  late year during the summers much of his time was spent in the woods with the last. In business he was energetic, prompt and reliable, was devoid of malice, and sought to be happy in this life as well as expecting it in the next. The great part of his life having been spent in Greencastle, his history was closely identified with that of the town, so that all knew him and he was held in the highest esteem.  Mrs.  Blake was partially paralyzed nearly two years ago, the disability affecting her right side and during the autumn of last year she suffered a fall while visiting at Danville, fracturing a thigh and placing her life in jeopardy. She has now recovered sufficiently to be able to walk about her home and in this last affliction has fallen upon her in the loss of her husband she has the liveliest sympathy of all our citizens. - kbz