MAURICE S. BELL                           GRAVESTONE PHOTO                      

The Tribune, Wednesday, September 3, 1873, Pg. 3:

            Died at his residence, near Independence, on Saturday night, August 30, of typhoid fever, after a lingering illness from inflammatory rheumatism, Captain Maurice S. Bell, Representative of the 65th district in the Kansas Legislature, aged about 38 years.

            Captain Bell was one of our best citizens, and highly respected by all who knew him as a neighbor, Christian and citizen.  While unassuming in manner he never shrank from duty, but was always ready to extend a helping hand, or do service in whatever capacity to which he was called.

            During the early days of the late war, he entered the army from Oberlin, Ohio, and after serving a few months, was detailed, on account of his energy and skill, and placed in the secret service, in which he served for over a year, doing credit to himself and the department.

            After this he returned to his home, organized a company and entered the service of the eastern army, where he served until the close of the war, with honor and distinction.

            In 1866 he removed to Linn County, in this state, where he taught school and took an active part in all passing events.  In September 1869, he removed to this county, where he has resided since, taking a leading part in all the pioneer struggles.  He was elected judge of a claim court, and exercised his power with justice and distinction until the inauguration of civil courts and at all times doing his full part in building up the county and town.  He served the county, township and city in various capacities, and discharged all duties with ability and promptness.  Last November he was elected a member of the legislature and in January following married Miss P. B. Grant, and left immediately for his duties in Topeka, which he sought diligently to represent his constituency and here it was he contracted the disease which kept him a invalid during the spring and summer, and was just recovering when typhoid fever set in and caused his death.  On Sabbath a large concourse of sorrowing friends followed his remains to Mount Hope cemetery, where he was buried.

 Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas.