The times., 1897-04-23
Unable to Recover From the Eff
fectS Of His Recent Accident.
LAWYER AND LEGISLATOR
Family Present at His Death-Had
Served Fifteen Terms In Congress-.
Thought at Times There Were
Favorable Symptoms During His
Illness.

gress from Indiana, died at his home, in
this city, No. 2125 r street northwest,
yesterday afteraoon, at a few minutes after
2o'clock, the immediate cause of his death
being acuoe cerebral meningitis.
AT his bedside when he died were all OF
his immediate family, w. s. Holman, jr A.,
and Paul Holman, his two sons; iIis tw o
daughters, Mrs Fletcher and Mrs. Harvey,
and his nephew, Lieutenant Commando r
Vail and Mrs Vail
The family had been waiting in a ter
rible suspense since Wednesday night, at
8 O'Clock, when the fever of the brain
covering, accompanied by general fever
developed, making recovery impossible, in
the opinion OF his physicians, DR. w. Page
Burwell and Dr. 3. s. Adams.
Judge Holman's fever Increased all the
time during Wednesday nj ght, and shortly
before he died his temperature was above
los and his respiration from 5S to 60 n
minute. During all this time he was in a
comatose condition.
Judge Holman fell on Dupont circle three
weeks ago, with an attack of verti go, after
alighting from his car on the way home one
afternoon, His age and various latent
troubles made this fan serious, although
it was at first thought t hat he mi ght not
have suffered any great injury from it
Liver and kidney oii sord ers set in, and after
little while acute jalndce
He would not ackno wlef,ge that he was
seriously i'll, however, and in a few days
arose from his bed, though not leaving
his room. His physicians began TO hope
at this time that he mi ght recover
He was much weakened by his siege,
however, and soon his condition became
alarming again.
During all the latter part OF his sickness
he had been irrational ut times, His brain
had not been able to overcome the stupor uf
its jaundieed condition. Since Tuesday he
had not recognized any one.
Judge William s. Holman was nearly
Seventy-six wears old He was born in
September, 1899, at yeraestau, the pio-
neer homestead Of his father, in Dearborn
county. Ind, which has continued to be
his home all his life His father was
prominent in the early history Of Indiana,
and missed coming to the Senate on one
occasion by only one vote. VeraeStau was
great farm. running a mile or more along
the banks of the Ohio River, and was oo-
eupied by him as a pioneer homesteader
eiG hty years ago
Young Holman eceived a common school
education, and studied at Fran Kiln Col
lege, Indiana, for two years. He then
taught school, studying law in tie even
ing, and was admitted TO the tar at very
early age. He was Judge of the probate
court when he was only twenty-one years
old.
lie was prosecuting attorney from 1S4T
to 1919, was a member of the Constitu-
tional convention of Indiana i'll 1850,
became a member Of the Indiana legisla
ture in 1851. and was q iuGge Of tie court
OF common pleas from 1852 to 1856.
Judge Holman came TO Washington first
as member of the Thirty-slXth Congress,
nearly forty years ago, and, with few
interruptions, has served in Congress since
then He was a member Of the Thirty
sixth, Tbirty-seventh, Thirty-e ghth, For
tieth, FoTty-first, Forty-sec econd. Forty
third, Forty-fourth, Forty-seventh, Forty
eighth, Forty-ninth, Fifticth, Fifty-first,
Fifty-second, and Fifty-third Congresses,
and after being retired during the Fifty
fourth was elected to the Fifty-fifth as a
Democrat, against Marcus L. Sul2er, the
Republican nominee.
Judge Holman's career in Congress has
been notable particularly for his logged
resistance to what he considered eXtrdva
giant legislation. On many occasions he
has used all the arts Of obstruction lie
knew to defeat large eXpendl turcsS and
frequently he has been successful IN fore
ing his ideas of economy. His record in this
way has earned him the title OF Watch Dog
oft fH. Tysa Is-bi igi, no n
reshed very much in Qu.et way
InhiS private life, however, Judge llclman
was the very opposite Of niggardly. lie
was so generous and charitable thai during
all his long life he has acquired no fortune,
but remained always comparatively poor
man. The old homestead, where he was
born, has comprised nearly all of his
possessions.
Judge Holman has led a most active life.
He very seldom took any rest from his
ldbors, and in his work itself was most un
economical of his strength. He seemed to
abltor sitting down, and as he talked or die
tated his letters continually paced up and
down, until with his friends this habit had
become characteristic of him. He was
almost never i'll during all his life.
Judge Holman's home, in southeastern
Indiana, on the ONO, is SAID TO DC one or
the most beautiful sites on the river, or
anywhere else in the country. Part Of
the old farmhouse, built by Judge IIol-
mans father, still stands. To this large
additions have been made from time TO
time until now it is a great house, stretch
ing over much ground and containing
many rooms.
The house is built or great bluff, 800
feet high. From its porch ca n be seen great
stretches of the Ohio River, and parts of
three States. The smoke from Cincin-
natl, twenty-five miles distant in the
east, is cften visible, and across the Ohio,
in Kentucky, seven towns can be seen, and
the hills thirty miles away.
Judge Holman was great lover of trees
and flowers, andnever allowed any ofthose
on bis place to be cut down.