Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-16

was much improved. and his family re-
newed their hopes. but the change for
the better was but temporary.
Some time after midnight Tuesday
Minister Willis's condition began grow
ing worse. and II vas seen that the end
was not far off. He lost consciousness.
and his breathing was diffcnlt and In
this condition he remained until dissoiu-
tion took place.
II is not known yet whether an escort
viii be sent with the remains. but 1t
seems TO be the opinion OF number
OF citizens that a representative Of the
Foreign Office should be detailed as IN
escort to accompany the remains to
Louisville and turn them over 10 the
officials there Until the funeral takes
place detail Of gentlemen selected by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs will re-
main at the Willis residence
Directly the intelligence of the death
OF the Minister was received by the
government the flags on the judiciary
buildings and at military headquarters
were lowered to haiT-mast. Most OF the
business houses and the shipping fol-
lowed suit as soon as the death became
known.
MINISTER WILLTS'S CAREER.
Albert sydney willis was born near
ShelbyvliIe. KY. about fifty-fiye years ago.
He was the son OF a well-known physi~
clan When Albert was " years OF age
his father died. After short widowh0od
Mrs Wills married j. l.. Clemmons.
Louisville attorney, and went TO Louisville
10 live Albert was sent 10 the pubic
schools Later he entered the High
school and took the full five years
course graduating with distinction
After graduation he taught little
school ont on the Bardstown road. While
filling this post he studied law, and latet
matriculated at the Louisville Law Schooi.
In 1see he graduated from the law school
and began practice.
In the early seventies he was elected 10
the office OF County Attorney, which posi-
tion he held until his election to congress
in 1876. when he succeeded Mr.. hehry
Watterson. who had been selected 10 III
the unexpircd term of II. Y. Parsons. ne
became "a fayorite lieutenant of Mr.. Car
isle and manoeuvred his forces for the
speakership. 10 which Office Mr.. Carlisle
WAS elected for the first time I'm the Forty
eighth Congress. Mr. Carlisle then made
Mr. willis chairman of the Rivers ana
uarhors Committee, which responsible
most ne ably filled. Mr.. Wills served nVe
terms in Congress- In 1856 he was Sue
ceeded by Asher G. Caruth. He returned
"a louisville and resumed the practice OF
his profession.
In September, 1893, Mr.. Willis received
the appointment as Minister TO Hawai-
He accepted and assumed the post. MT
willis arrived at the island during the
most critical moment in It's history queen
Iiliuokalani had been deposed' ana an.
other government h"u 'dAe" W" P
the monarchy =,
The most intense interest existed as 10
What course the President would adopt
Mr.. Cleveland intrusted his secret orders
70 Nr willis. and they were to the erect
that queen lii. should be reinstated IN
The event of her granting immunity to all
noIiticaI Offenders. This she declined to DO
Trio recent state of affairs is well known
In 1876 Mr.. Willis married Miss Florence
Rulaney. They have one SON Albert D
willis. .Jr.. who is at Honolulu.