Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-26
SENATOR WILSON DEAD.
The Maryland Statesman Suddenly
Stricken.


Heart Failure the Cause of Ills Demise
A Sketch of an Active Career Covering
Three Score and Ten Years.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Ephraim King Wilson, of Maryland
died suddenly at the Hamilton House
here at 1905 o'clock tonight of heart
failure.
Although Senator Wilson has been
ailing for some time, his critical illness
was very sudden, and but few Of his
colleagues knew Of his condition.
Last Saturday Mr., Wilson had a
severe attack of cholera morbus, but
was much better on Monday, and his
illness was not regarded as at all serious.
Yesterday afternoon, however, he had
another attack, which left him extremely
weak, and late this afternoon he was
seized with heart trouble,
Drs, Hammond, Lincoln and Busey
were summoned, and about o'clock
this evening held consultation, at
| which it was decided that lie could not
live more than two hours.
His friends were hastily summoned,
and as many as could come We're at his
bedside when be died. Among them
were DIR. Hammond, Mrs. Wilson and
her daughter, Miss Mamie, Senator Cor
man, Representative Stump and Sena-
| tors Gray and Jones.
Senator Wilson died at 10 o'clock. He
was conscious up to the last. Mrs.
| Wilson was overcome, and had TO leave
the room before he died. Miss Mamie,
however, was by her fathers bedside
and held his hand as he sank away.
His death came like sleep. Around the
! lp1 ,Vpra FIR hammond n 80 =,
OF Delaware, Jones of Arkansas, Rep
resentaives stump and Gibson Of Mary
land. Private Secretary Martin was in
an adjoining room. Senator German
had just gone to the Capitol, and Con-
gresham McGomas arrived shortly after
the senator died.
When the end came Senator Gray
stepped to the door of the adjoining
room and said to the senator's private
secretary, Mr.. Martin, "lfe is dead
The sergeant-at-arms of the Senate
was at once notified, and took charge of
the remains.
Deputy Sergeant-at-arms Reed noti-
fed the President and Vice-president.
No arrangements have been made for
the funeral, and will not be until the
family all arrive.
The senator's son, Sidney, who is
states attorney of Worcester county,
and his daughter, Mrs. M. T. Hargis,
were telegraphed for this afternoon and
are on their way here His daughter,
Miss Mary, who is at school at Will
minSton, Dol, is also on her way here.
=. r., ,lr., his son, and Miss Ethelyn,
his youngest daughter, are at home at
Snow Hill and will arrive tomorrow.
Senator Wilson was born on Decem-
Der 22d, 1921, in Snow Hill, Worcester
county, Md. He attended school at the
academy at Snow Hill until he was Is
years of age, when he entered store in
Philadelphia as a clerk. lie had re-
manned there but year when Judge
Asa Spencer, who had married his
sister, perceiying his promise, generously
assumed the expenses of his education
and induced him To return to school.
He then went to Washington Academy
in Somerset county, and thence to JEFF
ferson Academy in Connonsberg, Pa,
where he was graduated in 1910.
For about six years after leaving col
lege he taught school, first IN Washing
ton Academy, and afterward in the
academy at Snow Hill, during which
period he studied law. In the autumn
of lS47 he was elected a member of the
house Of delegates of this state for Wor-
cester county. In the spring Of 1S4S he
opened - law office in Snow Hill.
In 1859 he was an elector on the Pierce
and King ticket, and experienced him
self by his speeches and his canvass.
Thereafter he became the acknowledged
leader of the Democratic party in Wor-
ccstcr county. After his retirement from
the bar he was induced to accept the po-
sition Of examiner and treasurer of the
school board of Worcester county. This
position he resigned in 1869, after hold
ing it q year.
In 1872 he was nominated and elected
to Congress. In the House of Repre-
sentatives he earned reputation rarely
acquired in one term. Upon the death
of Judge Franklin in the winter of 1878
all eyes turned to him as the proper sue
eessor to the vacant seat on the bench
of the first circuit. The governor ap-
pointed him, and he filled the position
with marked ability until 1884, when
he was chosen to succeed Ex-Governor
Groome as United States senator. He
was reelected in 1890 for another term.