The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1895-12-20
Death of Allen G. Thurman.

al ck siith o.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 15.-Ex-Sen-
.ator Allen G.. Thurman died very
suddenly at 1:15 o'clock this afternoon.
He had long been in bad health, but
his illness had not been regarded as
dangerous for some time.
Mr.. Thurman was 81 years old
November 10, but his health was such
at that time that for the first time in
years there was no public celebration
here in honor of the ''Old Roman"
Judge Humans death is directly
traceable to an accident November /.
In walking from his room to the
library he tripped in some un%account-
able manner and fell heavily to the
floor. He did improve to some ex-
tent, but a week after the accident he
suffered a relapse and since then it
had been realized among his family
that his days were numbered.
Mr. Thurman's Career.
The Old Roman," as Mr.. Thurman
will ever be reverently and affection
ately remembered by his political adj
mIrers, came of a proud old Virginia
family. He was born November Is,
1913, in Lynchburg, his father being a
minister of the Methodist church..
But hls father became early in life
impressed against slavery and he dis
posed OF his colored help. In 1879 the
father removed with his family to
Chilllcothe, Ohio, where he secured
employment as a school teacher, and
his SOL became one of his pupils.
Later Young Allen attended the Chill
licothe high school, and afterward
vas a student in the academy of hat
town. He wa proficient in all his
studies. but especially advanced in
mathematics, on which account he
was known mons his school fellows
as ''rightangle trlangled Thurman"
Mr.. Humans mother was the half
sister Of William Allen, who, during
his life served in the House of Repre-
sentafyes in Congress-, 1882, IN the
Senate in Congress 1S31-1S49, and as
governor of OHIO, 1674-lST6, and in 1913
refused the Democratic Presidential
nomination for the reason that he was
committed to the support of General
Lewis Case, who was subsequently
nominated by the convention and de-
feated. Mrs. Thurman was a woman of
remarkable ability and learning, and
did much toward the instruction of
her son aud the guidance of his early
life.
At the - of Is young Thurman at
tacheG himself to IL land surveying
corps and thoroughly mastered the
mathematical side of hat science dur
ing the three years he pursued it. In
1884, Just when he had attained the
age to qualify, Governor Lucas ten
dered him the Office of private secre-
tary, which he accepted, entering at
the sane time as a student at law in
the Office Of his uncle, William Allen,
completing his studies subsequently, in
the office of The afterward diStin-
guished Judge Swayne. After his adj
mission to the bar young Thurman
returned to Chillicothe and entered
into partnership with his uncle, with
the result that he o acquired one of
the best practices in Ohio, his uncle
having practically abandoned the pro-
feSsioH when he entered politics.
Mr.. Thurman entered politics in
lSi4 when he was nominated for Con-
gress by the Democratic convention of
his district, and was elected, entering
the House OF Representatives Deem
Der |, 1915, as its youngest member.
He declined a denomination and con
tinucd 10 practice at the bar until
1901. W!lGn ne was elcclcO TO In6 gu
preme court of the State, in which
service he remained four years. during
the last two years Of the time being
chief justice. At the end of this term
he resumed practice, which he con
tiuued until 1867, when he was uuan-
imousiy nominated by the Democratic.
convention for the office of governor.
His opponent in this campaign, n of
the M exciting in the history of the
State, was Rutherford B.. Hayes. Mr..
Thurman was defeated, but he cut
down the normal Republican majority
in the State from 40. 600 to 5000.
The Legislature being elected at the
same vote being Democratic. however,
Mr.. Thurman was chosen United
States Senator TO take the place of
Benjamin +. Wade and he took his
seat March 1, 1869, there being at the
time only seven Democrats in the
body. Ills ability was at once recog-
nizcd, his speeches on the Geneva
award bill and on the Pacific railway
funding bill, especially attracting
public notice and applause. He served
two terms in the Senate with great
distinction and honor, closing the
twelve years period on March +, 1881,
with a reputation which stood among
the highest for judicial fairness, dig
nifty and strength in debate, especially
on questions OF constitutional law and
for patriotism and probity.
TEurston's Pacific EuI