The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-24
Harrison Kelley Passes Away at
His Home in Burlington
At 1880 This Morning After
Painful Illness.
A PROMINENT FIGURE.
He Had Been Identified With
Kansas Affairs Many Years.
President of the Agricultural
College Board of Regents.

A telegram to the State Journal an
nOunces the death of Captain Harrison
Kelley at Burlington this morning at
4:3O o'clock. His death removes from
the field of Kansas politics a man who
has taken an active and important part
therein for more than a quarter of a
century. In private and public life
Harrison Kelley has been a figure of
prominence at all times. He was one
of few men who dared throw off the
restraint usually surrounding by force
of circumstances a new member of
congress and with cutting sarcasm, up
on the floor of the national house of
representatives lifted up his voice in
defense of the people of Kansas, who
We're being severely arraigned by Colo
mel Henry Watterson for burning corn
instead of coal.
Mr.. Kelly said: ct presume that
Kentucky Democrat, if he had no other
fuel, would go and look at a pile of
nlibbins, and while lost in the contem-
plation of how much whisky he could
get out of it, he would allow his fam
lily freeze to DEATH
This incident astonished the con-
gressmen and Mr.. Kelley from that day
until the close of his term was accord
ed the respect and esteem befitting an
able and conscientious representative.
Mr.. Kelley died at the age of 81, haV-
ing been born May II, 1886. He came
to Kansas in 1858 from his birthplace in
| in Ohio in 1856 to Miss Tabetha Nc
| COMBS, who died within a few years
after the removal of the family to Kan
sas. He was again married to Caro-
line Mccullough, a native of Ohio. They
have four children, one son and three
| daughters.
When Mr.. Kelley first came to Kan
| sas he located in Ottumwa township,
| Coffey county. He has since lived
| in that county, but removed with his
| family to Burlington where he died
time death Mr
| was president of the board of regents
| of the state agricultural college al Man
haitian. Heewas appointed a member
| of the board of regents by Governor
FLeedy and by them chosen president
| The deceased was also president of the
State Historical society, having been
| elected at the annual meeting held last
| January in this city
Mr.. Kelley was full of honors at the
hands OF the Republican and Populist
parties When the war broke out he
! enlisted as a private in company 3,
! Fifth Kansas cavalry. He served in
| all the positions to captain, which place
| he occupied for two years, and was
mustered out captain. During late
| years he was known General Kel-
| ley, title which he secured by reason
| of his appOin tment as brigadier gen
eral of the Kansas national guard in
1865 by Governor S. ]. Crawford. As
Repu bIcans he was a member of the
house of representatives in the Kansas
Legislature and was elected state sena-
tor in 1888. Prior to this time how
ever he had served five years as a di-
rector of the state penitentiary. He
has also served as assistant collector
of internal revenue and was for four
years receiver of the United States land
office in Topeka.
He was chairman of the state live
stock sanitary commission and was by
Governor Humphrey appointed a mem
Der of the state board of charities, OF
which he was treasurer.
In 1889 Mr.. Kelley was elected con-
gresham from the Fourth district to
fill the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton of Thomas Ryan,Wh had been ap-
pointed minister to Mexico by President
Harrison. At that time Kansas was
represented in congress by S. r. Peters,
John A. Anderson, Ex-Governor Nor
| rilI, E. H. Funston, Bishop w. Perkins
and E. J. Turner. Judge J. 3. Johnson
of Topeka was candidate for the NOM
ination which Mr.. Kelley secured. He
served one term in congress, but was
defeated for reelection by John G. Otis
of Topeka.
While in congress Mr. Kelley was an
advocate of service pensions, and was
an earnest supporter of the various
ideas advanced in congress to secure
honest elections in the South His most
earnest work was along pension lines.
Kansas politics, following the election
of Mr.. Kelley and during his career in
congress- was extended by the birth OF
the Alliance, or what is now known as
the Populist party. The manner in
which the state was overwhelmed by
the new party is still fresh in the minds
OIL the people. w men MI. Kelley WaB
renominated Charlie Curtis had been
urged to- make the race, but he declined
to oppose Mr.. Kelley.
Four days after Mr. Kelley's defeat
by Otis, Kansas Republicans were as
founded by his announcement that in
the future he would be identified with
the Populists.
On the Fourth of July, 1876 the
friendship of Mr.. Kelley for the negroes.
in whom they found unfearing
champion, was manifested at BurlinE-
ton in an historical speech. Referring
to the war and the restoration of the
slaves to citizenship, he closed his ad-
dress by saying:
Let those that God Joined together
be not put asunder. Separate them not
in social, political or religious affairs.
will be to us pillar of cloud by day
and a pillar of fire by night, we need
not question the destiny of our country,
the future of which, as in the past. has
been in the hands of him who doeth all
things wel1.''
Mr. Kelley's illness which resulted in
death dates back to April. He caught
| a severe cold while going from Manhat-
tan where he attended a meeting of the
regents of the agricultural college Fe-
yer followed and was augmented2by in
farnmation of the bowels. He has been
slowly sinking for two months.
His funeral will take place on Mon
| day and will be conducted by the C. A.
r. The remains will be buried in the
OttumWa cemetery.
1,o1, rhaon F11t how er00d f1 the