His interest in politics again
revived; In 1875 he writes to Dr. Snyder:
"Owing to the partiality
of friends I was induced in November last [1874] to run for the office
of Circuit Court clerk. ... I was beaten by a no-party man. I did
not care for this place, for any congeniality with my feelings there
was in its duties; but I could have discharged the duties, and as the
tenure was four years it would most probably [have] lasted me all my
life."
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After this set-back, which he
described so objectively, he made another political try, this time a
successful one. He writes:
"the partiality of friends
induced me again to run for the [Missouri] Constitutional Convention
last Jany.[1875]. I was again a Nominee, and this time elected."
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His morale was again in pretty
good shape. He resumed his political correspondence with Dr.
Snyder; the new Illinois Constitution, the coming Missouri
Constitutional Convention, and their jointly held interest in the "Old
Democrats." He even twits Dr. Snyder about his geological
interests. And he recounts very clearly and in considerable
detail the whereabouts and activities of each of his ten children.
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He participated in the Missouri
Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1875, and this was B.F.
Massey's last political act. He also disclaimed any further
interest in politics.
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For a short time, in 1876-1877,
he again edited a weekly newspaper in Pierce City, Missouri. In
1878 ill health required him to stop, and he moved to the home of his
son, 42.Frank R. Massey, in
Neosho.
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He then moved to the home of his
son, 44.Benjamin U. Massey,
in Springfield, Mo., who in January 1879
answered a query from Dr. Snyder:
"My father ... is living
at my home in Springfield, Mo. Is in bad health - had last spring
a paralytic stroke - one side of his entire body being affected.
His articulation is so impaired that he can hardly speak
intelligently. His mind of course is somewhat impaired."
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His health grew steadily worse,
and he required the round-the-clock nursing care that was not available
in Springfield. So he was removed to Sisters Hospital, in St.
Louis, where on 17 Dec.1879, he died. He is buried in the Massey
family lot, Maple Park Cemetery, Jefferson City, Missouri.
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There is a note in the J.F.
Snyder Collection (Massey
Appendix XLVII and Massey
Appendix LVIII) in Dr. Snyder's handwriting:
"His death was indeed a
merciful relief. What a sad ending for so noble a man."
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