Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-10-11
From the indianapolis Journal. Oct. 6.
Death Of Governor willard.

Paul. Minnesota. yesterday morning.
announced the death of Ashbcl z.
Willard. Governor of this State. OH
the evening before. about 6 o'clock.
Ills disease was an affection OF the
lungs. under which. for several
months. he had been declining. till at
last he was 80 far reduced as to seek
the clearer air anil more equable
climate Of the Upper Mississippi. with
the hope Of finding restoration there.
We do not know that The complaint
assumed the form of consumption
finally, but az his family appears to
have been snbject to pulmonary
affections. his brother dying of con.
sumption recently. it is probable that
it did. The last time We saw him he
had the wasted figure. hectic cheeks.
and pearly eyeball OF the consumptive;
AMI if his death did mt result from
that. bis hereditary emmy. it is
because the constant and lahorious use
Of his lungs in speaking modified the
disease. aud because his habits may
have given it a development different
from the usual one. For some time
after his arrival IN Minnesota, he was
thought to be improving, and but a
short time before his death he was
either engaged in. or appointed for a
public speech in st. Paul. Of the
final course of the attack. and Of his
last hours. we know nothing The
dispatch announced his death only.
Ashbel Il. Willard was born In
Oneida county. New York, October
81. 1920. He WAS about forty years
old at his death. lie graduated at
Hamilton College. near his birthplace.
when quite young. and soon alter
removed to Michigan. whence. finding
j. unhealthy. he soon removed to
keutu~ky. There he taught school
for some timc. we cannot tell exactly
how long, and then came TO this State
An intimate friend Of his says he
thinks the removal to this State was
in the year lSi5. but of that we are
not sure lie settled ct New Albany.
and began the practice OF the law. but
before he had achieved much dis
tinction. or. in eed. fairly entered the
profession. his abilities as speaker
drew public attention to him. and
gradually enticed him into politics. in
which, since 1913, he has found his
chief occupation.
Wo well remember his first APP.
pearancc in this city on the night
before the Democratic State Conven-
ton Of Ie45. where he first spread
into State rcnown, subsequently
widened To the borders Of the Union,
the local reputation he had achieved,
and fixed the course of his lie. He
was delegate from Floyd county.
ami his associates had him called out
at the preliminary meeting. where his
extremely youthful appearance. COM
blned with his extraordinary fuency
and self-possessinn, ami his crcditable
acquaintance with political topics. a,
once made him the favorite of the
Convention. After the nominations
were made, the first man called for
and he was enthusiastically called for,
too-was young Willard" and when
he mounted tic stand. the shouting
and the half tender. half admiring
epithets in which bis hearers speko to
. CT othar of him. showe,, that be was
tneir pet. that their feelings combined
the strange elements OF confidence ii
him Us political leader. anil sort oil
parental admiration of bis toyish
precocity.
1t is no marvel that. greedy of ap-
plauss as all young men are. this re-
maI kablo demonstration should have
determined him TO be q politician
But. though he probably looked for.
ward TO advancement. in his party
instead of his profession. he remained
at the bar till 1851. when ho was
elected to the lower branch OF the
State Legislature from Floyd county.
tie served but one term in the Legis-
lature. tie was not the author of any
measure there. nor was he ever re-
markable for constructive ability. but
his readiness. vigor. decision. and ora
TO zeal ability made bin leader OF his
party. His most noted action in that
body was his support of what was
then called the Georgia Land
Swindle." IN which he and John p.
Usher. OF Vigo. encountered each
other. s riously to tho detriment Of
Willard's case. bu. to the improve
ment of his reputation as a speaker.
In 1852 no was nominated anil elected
Lieut.. Governor. on the ticket with
Joseph a. Wright. and in 1886 lie
was nominated over John l.. Robin
sou for Governor. His career for
eight years is familiar TO all. and that
period comprises the whole OF his
career that can DO said to have been OF
any Importance to tho public. As
nothing can be sail Of ii now that will
not evoke dispute. we shall leave his
public life TO the record of his State.
and the impartial judgmen, OF those
who will come after rs.
| In some respects Governor Willard
was an extraordinary man. Hi, in
tellcctual gifts were not unusual. and
his Intellectual aitainmenis were less
than usual. but ne possessed good
common sense. quick perceptions AMI
astonishing readiness. His mind was
not large. but i, was wonderfully agile,
prompt and hardy. These qualities,
com bincd with a frank. manly com
tenancc. fine presence. and an excel
lent voice. madc him oil he was
They made him an orator on whom
4 4 L =. 4.