Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-08-21
J, I. GEORGE IS DEAD.
Inc State Of Mississippi Loses
Her Senior Senator.
ne "reat Commoner Passes Peacefully
away-A Long and Honorable Career
Ehded-A Grert Lawyer, IA Gallant
soldier, Profound Statesman.

~
Soldier, Profound Statesman.
JACKSON, Aug 14.-A telegram re-
celved late this afternoon from Missis
sippi City, the gulf coast summer resort,
tho death Of United States
senator James H. George, at 2 o'clock
pm.
This morning Hon. A. A. Kincannon,
State perintendent OF education,
whose wife is a granddaughter OF the
senator, received telegram to the
effect that he was sinking rapidly, and
when it became known shadow OF
gloom was cast over the community.
Later in the day Senator Walthall ar
rived on the north bound train. He
was direct from Mississippi City, where
he had been with Senator George the
past two or three days, and though he
declined to be interviewed on the sub
lect OF the condition OF the health OF
his illustrious associate, he did not offer
any cheering suggestions.
Pink George, of Carrollton, son of the
SICK statesman, was a passenger on the
south bound train this afternoon. He
was Fastening to his fathers bedside,
being called by telegram from his
brother, which read: Father is sink
ing rapidly"
Senator George journeyed from his
home at Carrollton TO tho gulf coast
about ten days ago, and hoped the
change would be beneficial to him and
it was thought it had, until the news
came today of the relapse,
Ill Several Months.
Senator Georges illness extended
over several months and precluded his
presence upon tho extra session OF con-
gress, but during which he was paired
with Senator Wolcott. Being taken
sick at Washington, he was in the in
tirmary several weeks before the people
Of Mississippi knew of his illness. and
when, later on, he came down to his
homo at Carrollton, Miss, it was an
nounced that he was dangerously i'll.
He grew better, it was said, and when he
began to take horseback rides his friends
hoped for the best. So much stronger
was he in May that he and his wife eel
cbrated the tiftieth anniversary OF their
wedding day, the occasion being made
one OF general rejoicing. A month later
Mrs. George breathed her last and since
that time the health of the senator has
steadily declined. Two weeks since he
journcyed from his home to Mississippi
City, his family thinking a change o.
scene and the salt breezes from the gull
would be beneficial.
News came every day that he was
slowly and steadily improving, and onlJ
yesterday it was announced that hi
physician, DR.. Henderson, who is alst
his son-in-law. said he would bo able tt
take his scat in the senate this winter
aud that the senator was himself conf
dent tho prediction was safe. Thi
morning his granddaughter here re
ceived telegram that be was dying
and later came another that he had diet
at 2.40. His disease was fatty degener
alton OF the heart.
Born in Georgia.
Senator George was born in Georgia
October 90, 1896, and was therefore il
his soventy-frst year. When lad hi
father moved to Carroll county, wher
ho died shortly after, and his mothe
married again. The only education h
received was in the public schools, an
when mere boy he began the study o
law against the wishes OF his stepfathel
who wanted him in tho field.
But the young man was ambitious; h
detied the old man, quit the farm an
went to school and to reading law. Be
fore he was 20 years ofage he went be
fore the legislature of tho State, Fet
ruary 20, ls46, and asked that his dis'
bilities be removed, which was done
and ho was made 2l, as can be seen b
the acts of 1916, page 1881.
In May, lS47, he was married to MIS-
Bette Young. society belle OF that da
and time, and the fruit ofthe union wa
eight children, six OF whom are Bill
living. three sons and three daughter
His First Office.
The first political office to which b
| was elected was that of district attorne
way back in the early SOS, but prior
that time he had enlisted in the Mex
can war, and came home wearing an OF
fcer's stripes, being made colonel ft
bravery on the battlefield. In '61 b
AGAIN shouldered his musket an
marched to the defense Of his State as
soldier of the Confederacy, and RI
turned as a general after four years
faithful service. Moving to jackson
az to better attend to his incrsasln
nractice before the Supreme Court, Gel
George soon took rank as one OF u
foremost lawyers in the State.
In stormy Days.
In 1875, the year Mississippi dete
mined to throw off the yoke OF oppre
sion and to rid herself Of the hordes
negro and white vampires who occupie
her State and county offices, and WI
werc sucking the very life-blood fro
the people by oppressive taxation de
Georre was made chairman OF u
Democratic State executive COMMITTEE
and under his wise leadership Ames ar
his black cohorts were hurled iro
place and power, and decency and
tellirence once more held sway. II
next stepping stone was to the supren
Court bench, where he remained II
March a, 1881, when he was elected
tho senate. He was reelected in 10
and again for the term ending Marc
1899, during all of which time ne h
remained in close touch with his pc
nile by faithful performance OF du
and sympathetic care for their oest
terosts. As member OF the consult
,;onal convention Of 1890 he shaped a
directed tho most important measure
and to his foresight and magniflce
brain his people now credit their Q
livery from the then ever present neg
problem. ,.oa o.. !,