Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-10-15
sIIAS WOODSON DEAD.
CAREER OF A FAMOUS MIS-
SOURI, GOVERNOR ENDED.
Was born and Raised in Kentucky. but
Camo to Missouri in 1s54-Practiced
Law, Served Long on the Bench and In
1879 Was Elected Governor.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Oct l2.-Ex-Gov-
eruor Slias Woodson, one of the best
known aud most noted of the early
settlers of Missouri, died at the Sis
ters' hospital in this city at 6:3C last
night, after an illness extending over
a period of nine months. His death
resulted from the infrmities incident
to old age,
Silas Woodson was born in Knox
county, Kentucky, May 10, lSl9, and
spent his boyhood on his fathers
farm, attending school whenever OPP
portunity offered. At the age OF 20
he was admitted to the bar. Three
years later he was elected to the gen.
eral assembly of Kentucky, and at
the expiration of his term as legIs-
lstor he was appointed circuit astor-
ney for the Twelfth judicial district,
in which capacity he served for five
years. In 1919 he was sent to the
Kentucky constitutional convention
as the represe ntatiVes of his district,
and took an active part in the work of
that body In 1858 he was again
chosen to the legislature and at the
close of the session removed to Mis-
souri,, locating in St. Joseph in April,
1854. Here he engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession until 1850, when
he was elected judge OF the Twelfth
judicial circuit, succeeding Judge
Norton, who had been sent to Con-
gress. At the expiration of his term
lie resumed his practice, and in 1868
formed partnership with Benjamin
r. Vineyard and & A. Young,
the latter a brother OF Waller
Young, and at present a prominent
lawyer in st. Louis. This partner
ship continued until 1872, when the
senior member of the firm was elected
Governor of Missouri on the. Demo-
cratic ticket oAer John b. Henderson
by majority of IS, 442,
Judge Woodson's nomination for
governor of Missouri was a great sur
prise. He was a delegate from Bu-
chanan county to the state COnven-
ton at Jefferson City, and it was the
special mission of the Buchanan
county delegation to secure the nomi-
nation OF the late Judge Henry Worries
to the supreme bench. H. Hatch, Col
onel Stephens OF Boonville, and Nor
man ]. Coleman of St, Louis, were
the guhernatorial candidates, and
there was deadlock in prospect
Judge WOodson mad previously in
sisted that under no circumstances
would he interfere with the prospects
of Judge Worries and this difficulty
was overcome by making the nomina-
tions for supreme judge first in the
order of business, and Judge Worries
secured one of the places The bal
loting for governor had continued for
some time and the convention was
growing weary, when suddenly, in
the midst of q ballot, Delegate Ross
of Jasper county, sprsng to his feet
and said: II nominate Silas Wood
son, of Buchanan county" The eff
feet was electrical and the delegates
rose en- masse and nominated him.
Judge WoodsOn made canvass of
the entire state and his progress was
one continued triumph His entire
administration was characterized by
the most rigid economy. His final
message as document OF state is re-
guarded as unexcelled in the history Of
Missouri