Mr. T.M. Bland died Tuesday evening at Watts Hospital, Durham where he was taken 10 days ago for treatment and probable operation.
The result of the earlier diagnosis was reported to be that Mr. Bland was suffering from the after effects of influenza, but it seems that a later diagnosis placed the trouble in the gall bladder, and an operation was performed Wednesday morning.
The patient was seemingly recovered satisfactory from the operation, but in the afternoon a turn for the worse occurred and he rapidly sank till he passed away in the early evening.
The body was brought home that night and the burial occurred yesterday afternoon at Gum Springs Baptist church between Pittsboro and Moncure, by the side of his first wife. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. Howard of Chapel Hill, and Rev. G.W. Perry of Weldon. A large number of friends and relatives were ? to pay their last respects to their friend and kinsman.
Mr. Bland was 73 years of age. He was reared in the eastern part of the county. His first wife was Mrs. Annette Poe, who bore him 11 children, of whom eight are living. After her death he married Mrs. Fannie Hatch, who survives him. Of this marriage there was no child.
Mr. Bland began life as a poor boy but by honest efforts succeeded in amassing a considerable fortune. He has been president of the Farmers Bank since its organization.
Mr. Bland’s outspokenness sometimes made an unfavorable impression upon people, but those who knew him had admired him greatly. He was a most liberal man, but did not parade the fact. Many a poor person has been the recipient of his bounty with no hint of its source. Thus an old citizen summed up his characterization of Mr. Bland a few days ago: “There was no man in the community who would more readily help the poor and do it oftener.” Also “uncle” Tom Leach, who lived near him, says that he was the kindest neighbor he ever had, and that he had helped many colored folk. On a Christmas a year or two ago he sent a sack of flour to every colored preacher in Pittsboro. An instance only of his kindly and liberal disposition.
Mr. Bland had reared a family of children that do him honor. The living are Mrs. W.H. Cox of Laurinburg; Mrs. M.M. Guinn of Pittsboro; Mrs. D.D. Guinn of Lamar, S.C.; Miss Mary Bland of Pittsboro; J.T. Bland, W.F. Bland and C.E. Bland of Pittsboro. He is also survived by one brother, William F. Bland of Apex, Rt. 4, and one sister, Mrs. G.W. Ellington of Clayton.
To the bereaved wife and children, The Record expresses the heartfelt sympathy of the community.
From the front page of the Chatham Record, Pittsboro, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 1925, O.J. Peterson, editor and owner.
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn85042115/1925-06-04/ed-1/seq-1/
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