The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-11

fined at his house, most OF the time IN
bed. Saturday however. he was feeling
a trile better and was up and around.
Yesterday morning Mrs. Pusey arose
leaving AR. Pussy in bed. a short time
later she went into the bed room and saw
that he was playing with his little daugh-
ter. aged about years. The senator did
not seem to notice his wife and kept on
playing with the child. Mrs Pussy spoke,
but received no answer. The senator stu
played with the child, bat Mrs. Pusey no
ticed that he was breathing heavily and
with apparent effort She insunctively
felt that the situation was serious and
sent for Or. Chapman. He arrived as
soon as possible. but too late 10 be of as
sistance, as the senator was passing
away.
The death Of Virgil A Pusey removes
from this busy scene Of life a man who
has been a prominent factor in the edu-
cational and political life OF King county
for ten years. During his public life he
came into contact with people not only
from King county. but all parts Of the
state. and Il is not an exaggeration 10
say that he was one OF the best known
and most highly thought of men in Wash
ington. He was plain, every day sort
of man, steadfast and true in his friend
ships and not given to deep resentment
toward those who differed with him. He
was born in Champaign county. Ill, No
vember y 1873. of highly respected parent
age Although Il is not known positively.
IL Is thought that he was OF Irish descent.
J. q. Lawrence. who was brought up with
him and commenced teaching school in
the same neighborhood. said last evening
that he was under the impression that
Senator Pusey told him that he came of
pure Irish stock When he was very
young Mr.. Pusey's parents died, and he
was consequently thrown upou his own
resources to a great extent. Being natur-
ally Of a self-reiant nature. he com
menced lifes battle with a determination
to secure good education With this
object I'm view he worked for different
people In Champaign and Mclean coun-
ties meanwhile attending school when
ever the opportunity afforded Having
finished his studies IN the common schools
he went 10 Southern Illinois and entered
West1eld college. In order 10 complete
the course he had selected T. beca me
necessary for him 10 go out into the coun-
try teaching school He was very sue
cessful in this Tine Of work and the ex-
perIence gained came we'll I'm hand in later
years. His first teaching was done west
Of Champaign county and among his
friends who was also teaching was ]. @
Lawrence. formerly a member OF the state
board of education Of this state
After finishing his college course Sena-
tor Pusey devoted himself 20 the study or
law ard was admitted 20 the bar IN TlH-
nois- He 0racticcd there and IN Kansas M
I'll ISL. Then he moved 20 Neosho Mo. and
for three years was a principal i'm one ~
the schools ~ that city. In 1884 no decided
70 move further west and selected tho
state of Washington as bis future home.
lie settled 1T FarmnRton. where he Sc
cured A position as principal Of one Of the
schools While holding this position he
was also publisher and editor Of the
Pennington Post. In 1857 he moved 20
King county making hts home Ar BLACK
Diamond. Almost immediately he became
q factor IN the educational work ~ tho
county. and when the Republican county
convention met en- the fal 90 SIS he was
nominated for county superintendent u
schools. lie was elected by a large vote.
and during the next two years made such
q good record that the Democrats IN 1890
could not secure a candidate 70 run
against him. 50 certain ala h. seem ~ Re-
election. A. that time the school popula-
ton was rapidly Increasing and the con-
slant changes going on made the Office -
superintendent r very d,fiicu,; and irving
one Mr. Pusey. however showed great
aptitude for tho work and discharged the
duties that fell upon his shoulders m
manner deserving - the highest praise.
Senator Pussy held the position ~ su-
rerfatendeut six years being succeeded by
7 " Iayhue A. the same election. Nr.
Pusev was made state senator. q position
he held ~ the tIrre 90 his death. IN isa6
he was chairman % the King county Re
publican central committee. Senator
Pusev's interest IN politics vas largely 11e
- his association while living iu Tliin0lg
with STATE Senator Milton Matthews ana
T . Cannon who = now chairman u
che approximation committee in congress.
Senator Matthews was power in Illinois
politics and was ~ one time president 81