Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-10-14
sILAS WOODSON DEAD.
CAREER OF A FAMOUS MIS-
SOURI, GOVERNOR ENDED.
Was Born and Raised in Kentucky. but
Came to Missouri in 1S64-PractIced
Law. Served Long ON the Bench and In
1879 Was Elected Governor.

=
1879 Was Elected Governor.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Oct l0.-Ex-Gov-
ernor Sllas Woodson, one of the best
known and most noted of the early
settlers of Missouri, died at the Sis
ters' hospital in this city at Csc last
night, after an illness extending over
period of nine months. His death
resulted from the infrmities incident
to old age.
Silas Woodson was born in Knox
county, Kentucky, May IS, 1919, and
spent his boyhood on his fathers
farm, attending school whenever OPP
portunity offered. At the age of 20
he was admitted to the oar. Three
years later he was elected to the gen.
eral assembly of Kentucky, and at
the expiration of his term as legls-
lator he was appointed circuit attor-
ney for the Twelfth judicial district,
in which capacity he served for five
years. In 1899 he was sent to the
Kentucky constitutional convention
as the representatives 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
i, 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 1860, 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
he resumed his practice, and in 1863
formed partnership with Benjamin
r. Vineyard and s. 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 Il. Henderson
by majority of 35,443.
Judge Woodson's nomination for
governor of Missouri was a great sur
prise. He was delegate from Bu-
chanan county to the state conven.
ton at Jefferson City, and it was tho
special mission of the Buchanan
county delegation to secure the nomi.
nation Of the late Judge Henry Worries
to the supreme bench. II. Hatch, COL
onel Stephens of Boonville, and Nor
man j. 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 in terfere with the prosnects
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 ballot, Delegate Ross.
OF Jasper county, sprang 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-
garded as unexcelled in the history Of
Missouri
At the expiration of his term as
chief executive Judge Woodson re-
turned to St Joseph and again re-
sumed the practice of the law In
April, 1885, he was appointed by Gov
ernor Marmaduke to the office of
judge of the criminal court of
Buchanan county, then just created,
and was twice elected to this posi-
ton, but was retired under the disa-
bility law in June, 1895, being sue
ceeded by Judge Romulus E. Culver,
the present incumbent
During his residence in his native
state Judge Woodson was Wing, but
upon his arrival in Missouri affiliated
with the Democratic party. He was
opposed to slavery and believed in
gradual emancipation. He was del
egate to the convention in lS72 which
nominated Greeley; to the convention
in 1876 which nominated Tilden, and
to the convention in 1880 which noml-
mated Hancock.
He was married three times, his
third and surviving wife being Miss
Jennie Lard. Ali were OF Kentucky,
the latter being the daughter of Rev.
Moses E. Lard of Lexington, promi-
nent leader in the Christian church of
that state. Two daughters survive
him.
The last and greatest surprise re-
ceived by this community through any
act OF Judge Woodson came with the
announcement few months ago that
he had embraced the Roman Catholic
faith and been baptized into that
church. It had been generally sup
posed that he was affiliated with the
Christian church, to which all the
members of his family belong, but
such was not the case. For a year
prior to his death he had taken great
pleasure in conversing upon the sub.
ject with Father Graham of the st.
Joseph cathedral, and upon the return
OF Bishop Burke from Rome, invited
that distinguished prelate to call upon
him, and little later was baptized
by him and received into the church.
It seems probable that his determine
tion to join'the Catholic church was
of long standing, and not suddenly
reached.
For killing His Brother.
SEDALIA, Mo-, Oct. a-The grand
jury has indicted Alouzo Rem bauph.
son OF prominent miller for murder
in the first degree, for the killing Of
his younger brother. Harvey, last
April.
Eight Days OF Speaking for Illinois.
CHICAGO. Oct l0-Mr. BRYAN will
speak in Illinois eight days. begin.
ming October 20 and concluding Octo
Der 90 He will devote the last thres
days to Chicego.s during which Tins
he will deliver fifteen speeches in
various parts of the city.