The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-08
COL. W. a. PHILLIPS DEAD.
Sudden Death of the Noted Kansan-Brie
sketch of His Life.

Sudden Death Of the Noted Kansan-Briei
sketch of His Life.
| SALIVA, Kan, Dec. 1.-The sad in
formation mas reached here that Col
William A. Phillips, Of this city
| ex-congressman from the Fifth
congressional district of Kansas
died very suddenly at . O'Clock
yesterday afternoon. at Fort Gibson, l.
T., where he had gone lew days age
acted as attorney for the Cherokees
He was identified prominently with
the early history of Kansas.
BIoGRAPHICAL
In 1856 was published by Mr. Phillips Con
| quest of Kansas, by Missouri and Her Allies
the most authentic as well as minute history
OF the free state troubles Of the years 1884, 1875
| and 1850 He was q staunch supporter OF free
dom and the strength OF his convictions and his
earnes tness are found in the fiery character OF
| the language of the work
In 1857 he founded the city OF Salina.
During these early years OF his residence in
Kansas Col Phillips was also taking an act
i've part in politics and other matters concern
ing he territory. He was present at a meet
ing held in Lawrence November 10 1857. where
stirring resolutions were passed against the
Lecompton constitution movement and de-
nouncing the election of state officers 'as q
farce and swindle " He also
present at the free state convention
ing month and served as one of its
secretaries. The resolutions passed by this
convention repudiated the Lecompton consti-
. tuition and each and every member took q
solemn oath, with uplifted hands, that he
would never submit to its provisions. Dur
ing the same month the free state convention
reassembled at Lawrence and the two days
session was the most exciting the free
state party ever held. He was one of the
members OF the committee name1 to draw up
a solemn protest to congress against the ad
mission of Kansas into the union under the
Lecompton measure, and when the same
party held its convention at Topeka in April
1873 to name state officers under the Leaven-
worth constitution. he was named as the can
ddiate for supreme Judge The resolutions of
this meeting gave stern notice that II congress
should admit Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution without its submission TO q vote
OF the people the Leavenworth constitution
would be put into active operation and ould
be supported and defended against any oppo-
sition, come from whatever quarter it may"
In May, 1852 the republican party was
started at meeting ut Osawatomie. and Mr..
Phillips was named as a member OF the first
republican territorial central committee As a
member of the committee on platform he
sisted in formulating this historic document.
He was chairman of the republican state con-
vention held in Topek in October, 1859, the
secretaries serving under him being John A.
Martin and the late Senator Preston b. Plumb.
AT the republican convention at Lawrence. in
April. 1850. he was named a delegate 10 the
national convention and was the author of the
resolution adopted indorsing William H Sew.
ard as the first choice OF Kansas republicans
for president. as against Abraham Lincoln.
Mr.. Phillips was also appointed a member of
the state central committee
When the war broke out he at once enlisted
and raised the bird Kansas and when it was
rendered t President Lincoln it was at once
accepted. On its consolidation Mr.. Phillips
was appointed major Of the First Indian regi-
ment, and at once joined the force which was
then marching o the front In July, 1852 he
was pr moled to the colonelcy of the Third In
dian, Cherokee regiment A month later he
was in command 4 brigade OF civilized
In ians who had been orga lied, uniformed
and drilled after the same rules a.
the white soldiers The brigade contained two
regiments OF Cherokees, one of Creeks with
ba,talions and companies Of Seminoles, Oches,
Matches, Shawnees, Delawares and Osages
At the close OF the year. acting on instructions
from Washington he reorganized the Indian
forces on new and more intelligent plan In
January, 1883, he was appointed by Gen SEQ
field to the command of division in
the field including the Indian troops,
parts of the Sixth and Ninth Kansas
volunteers, Hopkins battery the First
Ark nsas battery, the First Arkansas cavalry,
the First and Second infantry and several other
commands The same year he was given two
divisio ms and ontinued in command Of a sepa-
rate army in the field until the close OF the
war He took part in nearly all of the engage
ments fought in Kansas, west Missouri. Arkan-
gas and the Indian territory.
He was born in Scotland 81 years ago