Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-16
MINISTER WILLIS Is Did.
The American Representative to Ha-
wall Expired January 8.
His Illness Dated From an Attack OF
Pneumonia Contracted W lille
Visiting in the United States Sew
eral Months Ago-His Public Ca
reer.

SAN FRANCISCO January 15--The
steamer Monawai. which arrived at mid
night. has brought advices from HonoiuIu
10 the effect that United States Minister
Albert $. Willis died at $3.50 a. m. January
E after an Illness covering several months.
resulting from an attack OF pneumonia
ne suffered while on his vacation TO the
United States.
In April last the minister and his family
left Hawaii for visit 10 their old nome
~ Louisville. While in san Francisco, on
the return trip. the minister contracted a
severe cold which settled on his lungs.
This was the immediate cause OF his
death. At noon on October g, while
leaving church. his horse ran away
throwing him TO the ground. He was
taken 10 a physicians Office and soon re-
covered sufficiently TO return 70 his home
al Waikiki lie never left it again.
Fever increased. and the cold taken at
San Francisco soon developed into pneu-
monia. This settled so firmly upon the
lungs that il could not be checked. Three
physicians labored necessarily, and held
frequent consultations upon the case.
few DAYS before Christmas the case was
pronounced hopeless.
Soon after the death Of the minister all
the consular. government and shipping
flags were lowered 10 half mast. Elk
pregsions Of regret were general, and the
wife and son have the sympathy Of the
whole community.
At he request Of Mrs. Willis. the funeral
services took place at the Central Union
church at p. m. January :, Rev D. B.
Bierney. pastor of that church, and Rev.
J. NJ Monroe. pastor OF IL Christian
church. Of which the deceased was a
member. conducting the services. The
details Of the funeral were left TO United
States Consul General Charge d'Affairs
Ellis Mills, at whose request the govern.
ment took the funeral in hand. The fun
eral procession was the most imposing
since that of Kalakaua.
The remains were deposited temporarily
IT a vault at Nanuanua cemetery until
the 18th inst. when the casket was TO be
placed on board the steamship Australia,
for transportation to the United States.
1t was not known when the Monawai left
whether an escort would be sent with the
remains but it was the opinion Of a num-
Der of citizens that a representative Of the
foreign Office should be detailed as an es-
cort to accompany the remains TO Louis
vile and turn them over to the officials
there.
A SKETCH OF Mr.. WILLIS.
LOUISVILLE, KY. January 15.-Albert
Sydney Willis was born near Shelbyville.
Ky, about So years ago. He was the son
Of a we'll known physician. When Albert
was twelve years Of age his father died.
After a short widowhood Mrs. Willis mar
ried J. L. Clemmons, Louisville attorney,
and came 10 this city to live. Albert was
sent to the public schools. Later he en-
tered the high school and took the full
five years course, graduating with dis
tinction. After graduating he taught
little school out on the Bardstown road.
While filing this post he studied law,
and later matriculated at the Louisville
law school. In 1866 he graduated from the
law school and began practice.
In the early seventies h was elected TO
the Office of county attorney, which posi-
ton he held until his election TO Congress
I'm 1876. when he succeeded Mr.. Henry
Watterson, who had been selected to serve
the unexpired term of Z. Y. Parsons. He
became a favorite lieutenant Of Mr.. Car
Isle. and maneuvred his forces for the
speakership. to which office Mr.. Carlisle
was elected for the first time in the
Forty-eighth Congress. Mr.. Carlisle then
made Mr.. Willis chairman Of the Rivers
and Harbors Committee. Mr. Willis
served five terms in Congress. In 1856 he
was succeeded by Hon. Asher G. Caruth,
and returned to this city and resumed the
.,voc+;o. Of his r1rOfoce
In 1893 Mr.. Willis received the appoint
ment of minister TO Hawaii, and arrived at
the island during the most critical mo-
ment in their history. Queen Lilioukalani
had been deposed and another government
had taken the place Of the monarchy.
The most intense interest existed as to
what course the President would adopt.
Mr. Cleveland intrusted his secret orders
to Mr. Willis, and they were to the effect
that Queen LII should be reinstated in the
event Of her granting immunity TO all po-
ltical Offenders. This she declined 10 do.
The recent state OF affairs IS well known.
In 1876 Mr. Willis married Miss Florence
Bulaney. They have one son, Albert S.
Willis. Jr. who Is at Honolulu.