The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-01
n. P. BANKS DEAD.
Passes Away at Waltham, Mass,
TEis Morning.
He Lived Long and Held Many
High Positions.
A NOTABLE CONTEST.
Elected Speaker of the House
After Two Months Struggle.
The Funeral Will Take Place
Tuesday Afternoon.

WALTHAM, Mass, Sept. Cen Ma
thaniel p. Banks, soldier and statesma n,
died at his home in this city shortly be-
fore o'clock this morning, from brain
trouble, after a long illness For nearly
two years the general has been suffering.
but he was not taken seriously i'll until
about two weeks ago. Early this sum-
mer he began to fail mentally and was
taken to the home of his daughter, the
wife of the Rev. Paul Sterling, Mount
Desert island, Maine, for the summer
Three weeks go bis condition became
more serious, and he was brought to his
home here. He grew worse. and he was
then taken to the Mclean asylum at
Somerville. He succumbed rapidly, and
when he could not recognize members of
his family it was decided by his ply
sicians that nothing could be done for
him, and yesterday he was conveyed to
his home once more.
He began to sink rapidly, and at six
o'clock last evening it was evident that
the end was fast approaching. Mrs.
Maud and his niece, Miss SybiI Banks.
were at his bedside constantly until his
death. At midnight Mr.. Banks became
unconscious, and he slowly lost strength
until the hour of his death
The end came very quietly and those
gathered about the bed of the dying gen
eral, were hardly aware when he passed
away. On the announcement of Gen.
Banks death the flags of the public
buildings in the city were displayed at
half mast, and on every side evidence Of
the respect in which the general is held
is conspicuous.
The funeral will take place Tues lay
afternoon, under the direction Of Mayor
Warden and Col Stevens.
On Monday afternoon the body will be
escorted to Asbury Temple BY detail of
the @. A. R, where it will lie in state
Monday evening. On Tuesday afternoon
at 1 40 brief services will be held at the
residence, after which the body viii
again be borne to Asbury temple, where
the public services will be held
Gen ItanISs's Life.
Nathaniel +. Banks was born in Wal
than, Mass, January 30, 1916. His par
ents were operatives in a factory He
had no advantages but those afforded by
the common school, but became lover
of books at an early day. His first ven-
ture before the public was in the capa-
city of newspaper editor in his native
town, and he followed the same pursuit
at Lowell He studied law, but did not
practice to any great extent
In IS48 he was elected to the legisla-
ture of Massachusetts, serving in both
houses, and officiating for a time as
speaker He was chosen president of
the convention held in 1858 for revising
the constitution of Massachusetts, and
was soon afterward elected q representa-
tive IN congress- serving from 1000 10
1857, when he was elected governor Of
Massachusetts by majority of "a. 900.
During his second term in congress he
was elected speaker of the house after a
remarkable contest Of two months and
was elected on the 13Oth ballot. 1t Is
said that not one of his decisions -as
ever overruled by the house.
He was elected governor of Massachu-
setts for 4 second term IN 1853. and for a
third term in 1859. During the rebel
lion of 1S61-4 he served III the union
army as a major general of volunteers,
and saw much service in the field.
In 1860 he was elected a representa-
tive from Massachusetts to the thirty
ninth congress. III the place of ID. w.
Gooch. resigned, serving on the commit
tees on the death of President Lincoln,
and on rules, and as chairman of the com
mittee on foreign affairs He was also
one of the representatives designated TO
attend the funeral of General Scott in
1866.
He was delegate to the Philadelphia
''Loyalists convention" Of 1866. and of
the soldiers convention" held at Pitts
burg, and was reelected to the Fortieth,
Forty and Forty fourth con
crosses, serving on the most important
committees; he was reelected to the
Forty-fifth congress In 1879 he was
appointed United States marshal for the
district of Massachusetts. and was re-
appOinted in 1888