The Saint Paul Globe, 1 November 1898, p1

JACOB K. MERTZ DROPS DEAD -
PROMINENT MINNESOTA G. A. R. MAN -
He Dropped Dead While Talking to Some Friends at the Brunswick Hotel, Minneapolis.

Jacob K. Mertz, for many years acting adjutant general of the Minnesota department of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a prominent factor in Minneapolis and state politics, fell dead about 1:30 this morning In the Brunswick hotel in Minneapolis.

Heart failure is the supposed cause.

Mr. Mertz has always been a strong Republican adherent, and was taking an active part in the present campaign in behalf of William Henry Eustis' candidacy for governor, as he was in terested in preventing the defection of the old soldiers from the Eustis standard.

He had been working early and late to this end, and his heart seems to have been unable to stand the continued strain.

Note: Brunswick Hotel was located on the SW corner of 4th and Hennepin.

The Saint Paul Globe, 7 November 1898, p7

LAST "LIGHTS OUT" -

TAPS SOUNDED OVER THE REMAINS OF THE LATE JACOB K. MERTZ
COMRADE HONORED IN DEATH

Tribute to the Dead Soldier by Those Who Served With Him Under the Flag That Shrouded Bier - St. Paul Well Represented at the Funeral—The News of the Flour City.

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 6. — The remains of Jacob K. Mertz, late assistant adjutant general of the G.A.R. of Minnesota, were laid to rest this afternoon. With the rites of the G.A.R. the funeral services were conducted, and to the departed comrade hundreds of veterans paid their respects.

The funeral procession formed at 3 o'clock this afternoon. The Sons of Veterans of the Twin Cities formed the escort under command of Chief of Staff Hugh Longstreet. In the procession were hundreds of veterans, every post in Minneapolis and many of St. Paul being represented. Each flag was draped with crape and the members of the escort wore crape on their arms.

The Church of the Redeemer was not of sufficient capacity to accommodate all those who wished to show their respect to the dead. When all the posts and invited guests had been
seated there was little room for the public, and hundreds were turned away. On the platform were seated, besides Rev. M. D. Shutter, Department Commander E. W. Mortimer, who led the exercises, and Past Department Commanders H. G. Hicks, Minneapolis; H. A. Castle, St. Paul; Adam Marty, Stillwater; John P. Rea,Minneapolis; E. C. Babb, Minneapolis; R. A. Becker, St. Paul; William Thomas, Mankato; L. L. Wheelock, Owatonna; J. H. Ege, Minneapolis; A. Barto, Sauk Center; James Compton, St. Paul; L. M. Lange, Marshall; John Day Smith, Minneapolis; S. R. Van Sant, Winona; Ell Torrance, Minneapolis; J. J. McCardy, St. Paul; E. B. Wood, Long Prairie. The past department commanders were honorary pall bearers.

The James Bryant Post quartette opened the services with music, and during the exercises rendered several hymns. Department Chaplain Rev. J. N. Henry, Anoka, offered prayer and read a passage from the scriptures. Department Commander Mortinmer spoke briefly of the lamented comrade. During his connection with Mr. Mertz, he had learned to love and respect him. He had expected to be suddenly summoned thither, and was ready for it. Past Department Commander John Day Smith, who had appointed Mr. Mertz assistant adjutant general, added his tribute to the dead. He told of the dead man's loyalty to the organization, his unfaltering fiedelity to the flag, his manly qualities and his great love for his fellow man. S. R. Van Sant, Winona, past department commander, also spoke briefly of the dead. He mentioned his efforts in behalf of the G. A. R., his sterling qualities and his manliness. Judge Eli Torrance, a past department commander, paid an eloquent tribute to the assistant adjutant general, and Past Department Commanders J. J. McCardy and E. B. Wood also spoke of the excellent work by Mr. Mertz in the interests of the G.A.R.

Following the addresses, the G.A.R. rites were performed. Taps were sounded, and after the friends had taken a last look of the face of their beloved comrade, the remains were interred in the soldiers' lot at Lakewood. A large number followed the remains to the grave.

In the church the casket was wrapped in an American flag and covered with floral tributes. One of the most beautiful was in the shape of a star, donated by Levi Butler post and the Women's Relief corps of the post.

Jacob K Mertz