The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-11-29


to some neuralgia condition, wnicn
would soon pass. He began an active
campaign in this state, speaking at
Duluth September 81, and at Alex
andria, Mimi, September rs. During
the latter speech he suffered so great
| " he could not wear his shoe. He re-
turned home at once, and was ordered
to bed by his physician. A few days
later an operation was performed, but
he failed to improve, and a consulta-
ton of physicians was called, Drs.
| Stone, Lancaster and Rothrock partic-
| ipating. An operation on October IA
was Immediately beneficial, and fur
| ther operation was performed October
"a. 1t was at first believed the case
was one of blood poisoning, caused by
infection through a slight abrasion
| of his foot from the dye of black
silk stocking, and the operations drew
off the accumulation of pus. His con-
| dition improved steadily until Novem-
Der 4, when he grew worse, and DR..
J, B. Murphy, the Chicago specialist,
| was sent for, consultation being
| held the next day. At that time a
slight gangrenous condition was dis
covered, and an operation was found
necessary, removing portion of one
toe. The wound healed wen, and the
physicians were hopeful of the out
come.
A Fatal Complication.
However, November II kidney
trouble became apparent, both neph-
ritis and diabetes, complicating the
case and making his condition
more critical. Another consultation
with DR.. Murphy was held November
10, confirming the previous opinion,
and settling the presence of the kid
ney trouble. DIR. Murphy had been
sanguine of the senator's recovery up
to this time, but upon the discovery
of the fresh complications, he private
ly expressed the opinion that the case
was hopeless. Since then the patient
has steadily grown worse.
His Life and Service.
Cushman Kellogg Davis was born in Hen
derson, Jefferson county, N. Y, June IL,
| 1898. In that year his parents moved to
Waukesha, Wis where his father farmed
| until 1850. After attending the common
schools young Davis spent three years In
| Carroll college at Waukesha, preparing
| himself for the University of Michigan.
/ from which he graduated in 1857. During
i his boyhood he held for some time po-
1 sition as telegraph operator in what is
| now a suburb of Milwaukee. After his
| graduation he entered the law office Of
| Alex w. Randall, afterwards war gov
| ernor of Wisconsin. In 1860 Mr., Davis be-
/ gan the practice of law and also took an
| active part in the campaign resulting in
| the election of Lincoln. Two years later,
1 war having come, he closed his law of
| fee to enlist in the volunteer army. He
| served for two years in the army of the
| Tennessee, in Kentucky, Tennessee. Ar
| kansas and Mississippi, part of the
| time on staff duty. When in 1864 broken
| health compelled his retirement he was
| first lieutenant of company B, Twenty
| eighth Wisconsin volunteer infantry. Going
| to st. Paul, he formed law partnership
| with his army chief, Gen. w. A. German,
| ex-governor of Minnesota territory. In 1868
| he was elected to the state legislature and
1
| States district attorney, serving five years
| in that position.
| Elected Governor.
| In 1873 by majority of one vote he was
| nominated by the republicans for governor
and elected by a majority of 5496. The
| campaign issue was then new, being wheth-
| err the state could control the charges Of
| railroads. Gov. Davis asserted this right.
| and such legislation was enaCced and en-
| forced during his term of office. During a
| protracted senatorial contest at that ses-
| sion Gov. Davis was one of the candidates,
| but Chief Justice Mcmillan was finally
| elected. 1t was at this time that the great
| grasshopper plague devastated southwest
| ern Minnesota, and Gov. Davis raised over
| 500 900 in money besides supplies for the
| victims OF the plague. Gov. Davis declined
| denomination and resumed the practice of
| law. His successor, Gov. PillsbuTy, re-
| tanned him to argue In the United States
| supreme court the case OF the state of Wis
| consin against the city of Duluth and the
| state Of Minnesota to restrain the opening
| Of the present Duluth ship canal through
| which all the commerce of that port now
| passes. Mr.. Davis won the suit for Min
| nesota. He continued the practice of law
| until 1857, also giving considerable attention
| to politics. In 1884 he headed the Blaine
delegation to Chicago, where he made one
of the nominating speeches for that candl-
| date.
Goes to the Senate.
During 1856 many OF the state newspapers
| advocated his election as United States SEN
| ator, and when the legislature of 1887 met
| Senator Mcmillan withdrew as a candidate
| for reelection and Mr.. Davis received every
! vote. Senator Davis first craftsmanship in
| the senate was Of the committee on pen
| sions, which he held throughout his first
| term. He was the author Of the pension
| law of 1890, which terminated the demands
for excessive pension legislation and also
| satisfied the old soldiers. As member OF
| the committee on territories Senator Davis
| led the fight for the admission OF the Da-
| kotas to statehood making his first speech
In the senate on that subject. As student
and an authority on international law Sen.
4 ator Davis furnished briefs to President
| Harrison and Secretary Blaine on the
Gillian dispute and the Behring sea contro-
| versy. His advocacy of the new locks at
| the Sault Ste. Marie ship canal carried to a
successful result legislation the wisdom OF
which has since been amply demonstrated.
In 1893 the republican legislative caucus
| voted In favor OF the reelection OF Senator
Davis. but before the legislature voted on
the genetorship various influences inter-
4 yened and he was finally elected by ma
jority Of one. although the republicans had
majority Of II on joint ballot. At the be-
ginning Of his second term Senator Davis
was placed on the committee on foreign
relations and when Senator Sherman was
transferred to the cabinet Of President Me-
Klnley Senator Davis was placed at the
head of that important committee.
i In 1866 many friends of the senator
Al.