The leader., 1897-08-18
]. I. GEORGE IS DEAD.
The State of Mississippi Loses
Her Senior Senator.
The Great Commoner Passes Peacefully
Away-A Long and Honorable Career
Ended-A Grert Lawyer. = Gallant
Soldier, a Profound Statesman.


JACKSON, Aug. IA telegram rer
ceived late this afternoon from Missis-
sippi City, the gulf coast summer resort,
Senator James u. George, ut o'clock
pm.
This morning Hon. A. A. Kincannon,
State superintendent OF education,
whose wife is a granddaughter OF the
senator, received a telegram to the
effect that he was sinking rapidly, and
when it became known q shadow OF
gloom was cast over the community
Later in tho day Senator Walthall ar
rived on the north-bound train. lie
was direct from Mississippi City, whore
he had been with Senator George the
past two or three days, and though he
declined to DO interviewed on the sub
ject of the condition OF tho health OF
his illustrious associate, he did not offer
any cheering suggestions.
Pink George, of Carrollton, son of the
sick statesman, was passenger on the
southbound 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 the gulf coast
about ten days ago. and hoped tho
change would be beneficial to him and
it was thought it had, until the news
camo today Of the relapse.
Ill Several Months.
Senator Georges illness extended
over several months and precluded his
presence upon the extra session OF con-
gress, but during which no was pairod
with Senator Wolcott. Being taken
sick at Washington, be was in the in
Urinary 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
ebrated tho fiftieth anniversary Of their
wedding day, the occasion being made
ono Of general rejoicing. A month later
Mrs. George breathed her last, and since
that time the health of the senator has
declined. Two weeks since he
journeyed from his home to Mississippi
City, his family thinking a change of
scene and the salt breezes from the gulf
would be beneficial.
News came every day that he was
slowly and steadily i'm approving, and only
DR.. Henderson, who is also
his son-in-law, said no would be able to
take his seat in the senate this winter,
aud that the senator was himself conf
lent the prediction was safe. This
his granddaugb tex here re-
ceived a telegram that he was dying,
and later came another that he had died
at 2:4O. His disease was fatty dcgener-
alton of the heart.
Born In Georgia.
Senator George was born in Georgia,
October 20, 1926, and was therefore in
his seyenty-first year. When a lad his
father moved to Carroll county, where
he died shortly after, and his mother
again. The only education 10
received was in the public schools, and
when mere boy he began tho study of
law against the wishes Of his stepfathcr,
who wanted him in the field.
But the young man was ambitious; no
defcd the old man, quit the farm and
went to school and to reading law. Be
fore he was 30 years Of ago he went be-
fore the legislature of tho State, Feb
ruary 20, 1876, and asked that his disa-
bilities be removed, which was done,
the acts of 1916, page 1921.
In May, lS47, he was married to Miss
Bette Young. society belle of that day
and time, and the fruit Of the union was
eight children, six of whom are still
living, three sons and three daughters.
In stormy Days.
In 1875, the year Mississippi deter
mined to throw off the yoke Of oppres-
sion and to rid herself Of the hordes OF
negro and white vampires who occupied
her State a1d county offices, and who
were sucking tho very life-blood from
the people by oppressive taxation, Gen.
George was made chairman of the
Democratic State executive committee,
opd updar n &c wiSo 10 adarah;r ,,oO ,pd
his black cohorts were hurled from
place and powor, and decency and in
telligence once more held sway. The
next stepping stone was to the Supre me
Court bench, where he remained till
March 4, 1881. when he was elected to
the senate. lie was reelected in 1887
and again for the term ending March,
1899, during all of which time he has
remained in close touch with his peo-
pie by faithful performance Of duty
and sympathetic caro- for their best in
tercsts. AS a member of the constitu-
tional convention of 1890 he shaped and
directed the most important measures,
and to his foresight and magnificent
brain his people now credit their de-
livery from the then ever present negro
problem.
To him is tho State indebted for the
understanding clause and 50 poll tax
requirement for voters and its accom-
panying blessings. To him is she in
debted for the death of the subtreasury
bugabeo, and the burial of the force bill
proposed in congress. Thathe deserves
the title "Old Commoner," by which he
is everywhere known, no one who knew
him doubts, and the State will never
again see his like.
Matter of Successor.
The matter of succession is one that
will now occupy the attention of this
people till settled by tho governor, and
speculation is even now rife.
Several gentlemen have boon mem
toned as possible successors, among