R. A. FLEMING,
FORMER MAYOR, PASSES AWAY
Lingering Illness Finally Fatal
to Well Known Muskegon Man _________________
FIGHTER TO UPHOLD THE LAW
Administration Marked By New Policy
That Turned Course Here _________________
Following an illness of several
months, ex-mayor R. Andrew Fleming, for years prominent in the political
and business affairs of the city and county, passed away last evening at
9:30 at his rooms at 15 W. Western Avenue. What was believed to be some
improvement in Mr. Fleming's condition a few weeks ago, when he left Hackley
Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment, again changed for the
worse, and in the last few days he sank rapidly. Probably about the personality
of no public official who has served the city of Muskegon, has so fierce
a conflict waged as about that of Mayor Fleming, during the year that he
held that office in 1906-7. Mr. Fleming was an uncompromising prohibitionist
and was active in every movement for law and order in Muskegon.
Waged Law-Enforcement Fight.
Immediately after he came into office, Mayor Fleming
that during the period of his administration the laws relating to the closing
of saloons and other laws regulating the liquor business in this city would
be strictly enforced. The announcement, accompanied with definite instructions
to the police department, provoked a storm in Muskegon, and was provocative
of bitterness that lasted for years, but the mayor had his way. A few weeks
after he retired from office, Circuit Judge Sessions, who had recently
ascended to the bench, announced that the same policy would be applied
to the whole county. This episode was typical of Mr. Fleming's whole career,
which made him many staunch friends as well as enemies. He was characteristically
frank in letting his position be known on any issue that was before the
city.
Whole Career in Muskegon.
Mr. Fleming's entire active
life was spent in Muskegon. He was born in Chicago, January 20, 1859, and
came to Muskegon with his family in 1872. The following year the family
occupied the home at 152 Terrace street, which was occupied by Mr. Fleming
continuously for forty-one years, until the death in 1914 of a sister who
had lived there with him for many years. Following his graduation from
the Muskegon high school, Mr. Fleming became a bookkeeper and for years
he has been a recognized expert accountant and auditor, his services being
much in demand. He was for thirteen years employed as bookkeeper in the
famous old law firm of Smith, Nims, Hoyt, and Erwin, later setting for
himself as an expert accountant and auditor, as well as acting in a fiduciary
capacity for a number of estates. For the past ten year she has been engaged,
as well, in the real estate and investment business.
Active in Politics.
Mr. Fleming had throughout taken an active interest
in politics. He served a number of terms as alderman of the Fifth ward
on the city council, previous to his election as mayor, was deputy county
treasurer for one term and the county clerk for two terms, his encumbancy
of the latter office representing the single break in the long term of
service of the late John B. Barlow. Two brothers, Alexander Fleming of
Seattle, and William J,. Fleming of Chicago, are the only immediate relatives
left by Mr. Fleming. At the funeral, which will be held tomorrow afternoon
at 2:30 at the home of John S,. Emerson, 227 Terrace street, for the past
ten years a business associate, lifelong friends and associates of the
ex-mayor will act as pall bearers. These will include Circuit Court Judge
John Vanderwerp, Congressman J. C. McLaughlin, ex-postmaster P.P. Schnorbach,
C.D. Stevens, Sheriff Carl A. Stauffer and F. G. Neumeister. The body will
be accompanied to Chicago by his Brother, W. J. Fleming and Mr. Emerson,
and interment will be in the family lot in Graceland cemetery. The service
in Muskegon tomorrow will be conducted by the Rev. Archibald Haden, Pastor
of the First Congregational church.
