The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-23
BILLY WILLIAMS DEAD
ONE OF THE FAMOUS CHARACTERS
IN INDIANA POLITICS.
Served Eight Years I'm Congress-MiR-
lister to Paraguay Under Presf-
dent Garfield.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WARSAW. Ind, April 2.-Hon. william
Williams. more generally known as BILLY"
Williams. died at noon to-day at the home Of
his son. Joseph r. Williams in this city.
William williams was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1921 and came to Indiana when a
boy. Perhaps no man was better known
to the people than ne. Since 1S4o he had
been prominent and influential in social.
business and political affairs, In early life
he attracted attention TO himself by his
genial manner and by the vim and push
with which he accomplished everything he
undertook At the age of tuenty-one years
he was elected treasurer OF Kosciusko
dJ6nty. He studied law. was admitted to
fafeTbar and was successful as an advocate.
He was a natural trader. and engaged in
merchandising. and such was his personal
popularity that people came from a dis
lance OF forty miles over the early mud
roads to deal with him. During the era
Of free banks ne conducted a bank at
Warsaw, and when the crash came he
went down with the rest. Such was his
sense OF honor that he redeemed every
collar OF his circulating notes, although. he
was under no legal obligation 70 do so.
In ~ the Wnig party nominated Mich
gestou Of schuyler Colfax and John De-
frees selected Billy Williame. then but
srnos. In this struSsis he was assp pitisd ars sost
the Idol of the Democracy OF that day, the
brilliant and magnetic Ashbel p. willard.
Tor q joint discussed ae Of me Gs'i issues arf Of sSa
campaign and traversed the State from one
end TO the other This joint debate is
There Is scarcely a person who is old
enough who did not hear these two cham
phone and to-day chat campaign is looked
4~An md $uIEAI ohNrr with fnfA,Ca 49,.
est by the old men of both parties. Billy
Williams was more than a match for his
tstion as a foeicai de5ater and brilliant
points with anecdote. grand in nights OF
such xss the eject upon the voters mat
though the State Was hoDelessly Demo-
crztic, WiIi3ams's vote counted several hum
Since b time he was In constant de-
rand IN political campaigns, and his fame
extended from New Hampshire 70 Cali
northern pr1son and his board built and
organized the work OF that Institution. He
was 2 director OF the Pittsburs. Fort Wayne
when the wal OF the rebellion came he
was acase IN promoting enlistments, and
csrsd for ~ him. Governor Morton knew
the timber nvnsch was in Billy" Williams
and oemmissionsd him 20 ra:se . reeiment
work organization that In an Incredibly
short time M had IN camp men enough to
form two regiments. which became the
V0lunteers. II was necessary for these
lime to DO mustered into the service
and sent at once to the front. Governor
Morton detailed Gen. Fred Knefer as mus.
tering oficer. General Knefer arrived In
Fort Wayne about midnight one Saturday
night and found Mr.. Williams in bed at the
Aveline House. Knefer was admitted te
sfs room and stated his mission. Williams
VIII had furtoughed the men, to return or
wednesday. aroused the affendanta a. ~
frofeI enS Sta rfed ont IN his carrtsse befops
daylight BY Monday noon ne had every
man OF the two thousand in camp. where
they were mustered and sent to Indian
apons on time. General Knefer says ne
never saw such energy as Williams dis.
played Governor Morton offered him the
genial nature and sympathetic heart would
prevent Ms tefnk z strict discip}lnarian. .ht
fHfu1ed f1e 0Ier. but entered the servic<
- . Dasmasser. serving <wo years In ths