The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-21
B. ". PERKINS DEAD.
Passed Away at 4 O'clock Yes
terday in Washington.
His Death Resulted From
Cholera MOrbus.
CALLED TOO LATE.
A Physician Was Not Sum-
mOned in Time.

v X
w. Perkins, ex-senator, and for years
a represe ntative from Kansas, died
suddenly at his home in this city yes
terdav afternoon. His death was due
to cholera morbus contracted in the
Indian territory few days ago He
leaves a wife, two daughters and a
son, all of whom were present at the
death bed.
A week ago he returned to Wash
ington from Kansas and since then
has been suffering from bowel trouble,
but until Tuesday night steadfastly
refused to call physician. During
the night he became worse and DIR.
Brumbaugh, the family physician,
was called in.
He pronounced the attack cholera
morbus. The ex-senator passed
quiet night. No serious alarm was
felt during the day until 3 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, when the symp-
toms grew much worse DrS. Bellach
and Sewers were hastily summoned.
Their efforts to afford relief were
futile He sank rapidly and at o'clock
passed away. No arrangements have
yet been made for the funeral,
though the remains probably will be
taken for interment to the home OF
the family in Kansas.
Hon. Bishop w. Perkins was born in
Der IS, 1912. His education was re-
ceived in the common schools of his
native state and in Knox college in
Galesburg, Ill. He spent two years
in Colorado after leaving college, and
in 1862 he returned from that terri
tory and enlisted in Company d,
Eighty-third Illinois volunteer in
fantry, a sergeant He was after
wards transferred to the Sixteenth
colored infantry, where he served as
adjutant and captain for over two
years. He was mustered out of the
service in 1865. When he left the
army Mr.. Perkins returned to Illinois
and began the study of law, reading
with Hon. o. c. Gray of Ottawa, and
in 1867 was admitted to the bar.
During that year he located at
Piercetown, Ind, where he remained
for two years when he removed to
OswegO, Kan In the spring of 1859
Mr.. Perkins was appointed county
attorney of Labette county and held
the position until his successor was
elected. himself declining the nOmin-
alton for the office.
He was elected probate judge in the
fall of 1870, and in 1873 was appointed
district Judge for the Eleventh jul
dicial district. and in November of
that year he was elected to the same
office. In 1874 he was reelected and
again in 1878 At the Novembe
election Mr. Perkins was chosen to
represent the Third congressional
district in congress, and also served
the same district in the Eiftieth and
Fifty-frst congresses. but was de-
feated in 1890 by B. II. Glover, the
POpulist candidate.
In 1892 he was appointed by Cover
nor Humphrey to the United States
senate to fill the position made vacant
by the death of Senator Plumb, which
occurred in December, 1891.
"big four congressman" = Morrill,,
Peters, Pc rkins and Hanback-elected
at large from the third district. He
was potent factor in Kansas politics
and was one of the best posted men in
Kansas upon state and national
issues Always an intense partisan,
he was nevertheless patriotic,
thoroughly imbued with state pride
and was always ready and eager to do
his utmost for the welfare of the COM
monwealth and its citizens. He had
hosts Of friends throughout the state
and had he lived would have been a
formidable candidate for the United
States senatorship to succeed Senator
Martin.
Mr.. Perkins was ready speaker
and an able parliamentarian- While
a member of the house he was often
chosen to fill the chair in the absence
of Speaker Reed. Since his retire
ment from the senate in March, 1898,
he had been engaged in the practice
of law in Washington. being asso-
ciated with ex-Assistant Score tary of
the Interior Chandler in the. prose GU
ton of Indian depreciation claims be-
fore the interior department.
Mr.. Perkins was comparatively a
poor man, but while he had been in
business life he made a mum Der of
successful ventures, and it is believed
that he leaves not less than $50, 900 to
his family which is not covered by a
will. 1t is also known that he has
carried a heavy life insurance for sew
eral years. He has in the Connecticut
Mutual St4, 900; Massachusetts, Mutual
$40. 600, and in another company $1O,-
900 and in Masonic insurance com
pany 81, 500.
Antf-Optfon Bill Vote.
WASHINGTON, June 21. = The anti