The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-10-11
DEATH OF EX-SENATOR vIoKERs
A Sketch of His Life.

A dispatch from Chestertown, October sth,
says Hon. Geo. Nickers, ex. United States
Senator, died here at 6, a. M, to-day from
heart disease, in his 18th year lie had been
in failing health for the past two weeks but
yesterday he had sufficiently improved 70 20
out riding and his death 10. day was conse.
quently sudden and unexpected. Mr.. Vickers
was born November 10, 1901, in Kent eoanty,
and graduated at Washington College, Ches'
iertown, Md, when only l6 years of age.
He first entered business as clerk in the
office Of the county clerk of Kent county and
in 1882 was admitted to the bar aud quickly
rose to prominence Four years laterhe was
elected to the Senatorial College OF the State
and took an active part in the proceedings of
that body.
Upon the outbreak of the war he was com.
missioned as major general of the volunteers
by Gov. Hicks aud during the few succeeding
years was active in his opposition to the re-
beliion aud used his influence TO prevent
Maryland from seeding. He was one of
the delegates on the Mcclellan electoral
ticket and stumped the State during the cam
paign. speaking in the interest Of peace aud
reconstruction. He was elected to the State
Senate in 1865, where he served with distine-
ton. He was twice offered seat on the ju.
dical bench of the State but declined the
honor on both occasions. He was president
of the Kent county railroad and was promi-
nently known throughout the State. On Fri.
day, March 6, 1865, he was elected to the
United States Senate BY the State Legislature
10 I'LL the vacancy caused by the Government
refusing to admit Senator P. Il, Thomas on
account Of his being unable to take the iron
clad oath. Mr.. Vickers was elected over
Hons. j. 4. Earle and Samuel Hamb!eton,
after three days voting. At the time there
was the greatest excitement throughout the
State, owing TO the impeachment trial Of Pres
ident Johnson then progressing, aud as soon
as he was elected extraordinary means were
taken to notify the senator aud secure his
presence in Washington in time to vote on
the momentous question Tbs senator's
name had been mentioned without his know-
edge. Owing to the want Of Photographic and
railroad communication with Chesieriown,
where he resided, it was at first feared be
could not reach Washington in time. Ii was
known that owing to his service in the Union
army he would be admitted without delay
A committee was appointed, consisting Of
Senators Maddox and Welsh aud Represen.
tatiyes Smith, Hubbard and Vandiver, to pro.
coed TO Chestertown and inform Mr.. Vielers
of his election.
The committee telegraphed to Mayor Il. 7.
Banks, of Baltimore, to have the iceboat
Chesapeake in readiness to take them 10
Chestertown. They arrived in Baltimore at
dusk the same day, Friday. The iceboat was
thoroughly equipped for the trip, which pro.
missed to be long and hazardous one, owing
to the blockade with ice. The committee,
accompanied by Mayor Banks, Mr.. !. NJ.
Parr, president of the Corn and Flour Ex-
change, and Sheriff John W. Davis, left Bal.
timaFe at s. y N, and after blowing their
way through 80 miles of ice, in some places
two feet thick, arrived at Chesterlown at Q,
a. m, Saturday. The noise OF the steamer
coming up the river through the ice aroused
the entire village, and when the committee
landed ia the dark they were surrounded by
several hundred men, who at once conducted
them 10 the house of Senator Vickers. The
latter who greatly astonished on learning their
mission, but almost before greetings were ex.
changed, he was asked to get ready To go to
Baltimore. Within an hour after her arrival
the Chesapeake turned her bow toward Balti.
more, aud as she slowly made her way out Of
the river in the darkness the crowd on the
shore cheered the senator yociierousiy. After
having passed the entire night on the bay,
with the thermometer below zero, the commit.
tee reached Baltimore at III O'Clock Saturday
morning with the senator. Here new diff,
Guilty presented itself, it being found that all
the trains for Washington had departed.
Nothing dauuted, however, Mayor Banks
waited On Mr.. John King, Jr., Of the BALI
more and Ohio railroad, and on representing
the Importance Of Senator Vickers presence
in Washington, a speeinl train was at once
placed at his disposal Mr.. King at the same
time telegraphed to have the entire road be.
tween Baltimore and Washington cleared and
at IL M.the committee, accompanied by the
senator, left Camden depot for the natioualcap.
ital, drawn by one ofthe swinest engines inthc
company's service. The party made the run
to Washington in So mnutesand at 30, Sena.
tor Vickers was in the United States Senate
Chamber. Owing to delay in the arrival Of
his commission, however, he was not sworn
in until the following Monday. Mr.. Charles
Sumner, Of Massachusetts, at first objected
| TO his being sworn, on the ground that the
senator he'd Q son in the Confederate army
I but afterward withdrew the objection. The
senator took part in the subsequent proceed.
h ings in the impeachment case and Voted for
the acquittal Of President Johnson.
Senator Yickers leaves a wife, formerly
Miss Mary Mansfield, Of Kent county, and
four children who survive him.