Muse, Robert W. P. (1821-1896)

Newton Kansan obituary: 1896 Nov 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1821 Apr 22

text of obituary:

DEATH OF JUDGE MUSE.

A Pioneer of Newton Passes Away After an Eventful Life.

The community was greatly shocked Saturday evening to learn that Judge R. W. P. Muse had passed away at his home on East Fifth street at 5 o'clock after a short illness. The Judge was not feeling well prior to the election, but went to the polls and voted, and insisted almost to the last that he was not a very sick man and that he would be around in a short time. Blood poisoning was the immediate cause of his death.

The funeral was held from the family home Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Masonic fraternity of the city having charge of the services. He was a member of Magnolia lodge A. F. & A. M., Newton commandery No. 9. Arkansas valley chapter No. 27 R. A. M. and Newton lodge No. 100, I. O. O F. The pallbearers were J. A. Randal, T. B. Atchison, John Reese, S. Lehman, J. C. Johnson and D. W. Wilcox. In accordance with request of the mayor, all business houses were closed during the funeral. The attendance at the funeral was very large, showing in a degree the universal feeling of regret at the demise of this old and respected citizen of Newton.

Judge Robert W. P. Muse was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, April 22, 1821. At the age of fourteen he was sent by his parents to White's academy at Savannah, Ga. He also attended Beard's High school at St. Mary's. Moving with his parents to Zanesville, O., he completed his education at Howe's academy, immediately taking up the study of law. He completed his legal education at McConnellsville, O., and was admitted to the bar at Newark, O., in 1845. He had practiced but two years at McConnellsville when he was elected prosecuting attorney for Morgan county, being reelected in 1850.

He removed to Zanesville in 1852 and went into the newspaper business,getting out a spicy daily called the "Aurora," for four years. Selling his paper, he resumed law in Zanesville and had practiced for four years when the war broke out. He immediately recruited a company for the three months' service and was given a place as company A Fifteenth Ohio volunteers. His regiment was sent to West Virginia and assisted in rebuilding the famous Baltimore & Ohio railroad partially destroyed by the Confederates. He fought at Phillipi, Rich Mountain, Carricksford and other places in West Virginia, winning many laurels.

Returning home after the three months' service, he immediately enlisted another company for the three years' service, and was made captain, his company being known as company A, Sixteenth Ohio volunteers. He was promoted to major and fought under that commission until 1863 when he resigned and returned to Zanesville and again took up the practice of law. He was almost immediately elected Probate Judge of the county, which position he held three years. Declining a renomination he moved to Kansas in 1869, locating at Abilene, at which place he purchased considerable property, all of which he has since disposed of.

In 1871 he moved to Newton and at once became identified with the town. As was instrumental in laying out the city upon its present site, and was an active participant in the stirring times of the early days. He was here during the notorious killings and saw some of the roughest western life that has ever been enacted on the plains of frontier Kansas. He at once evinced his faith in the town by investing in its real estate and in putting his money into business enterprises here. Even the young men will remember the old frame building bearing the legend "Muse, Spivey & Cratty," that stood on the site of the present handsome brick building that was built by Harry S. Dean during the boom.

Judge Muse was full of reminiscences of the old days in Newton and has contributed articles recently to