Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-10-24
Death OF William L. Wilson.

Hon. William Lyme Wilson, men,
Der Of Congress for twelve years, died
Wednesday morning In Lexington,
Va. Mr.. Wilson's i'll health dates
from his last term In Congress, when
his great lsb0rs Is chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee In the
preparation of the tariff bill gave him
9 serious attack, which necessitated 9
long stay In Mexico. He again be-
came Ill about 3 year ago from con-
sumption, and spent the past winter
In Arizona. The insidious disease
could not be bstfisd, and though he
resumed his duties rs President of
Washington and Lee University st
Lexington, Va, he steadily grew
weaker and passed away Wednesday.
Mr.. Wilson WAS So years of age,
having been born in Jefferson county
May 3, 1S43. He served in the Con-
federats army during the OWL War
and was brave soldier. He was q
lawyer by profession aud prsotioed
In Ohsrlestown until 1882, wher he
was elected president of the West
Virginia University at Morgantown.
de began the duties of this office
September 9th, but on September Goth
was nominated for Congress by the
democrats of the Second West Vir-
gina district and was elected. He
resigned the presidency of the UNI
versity In June, 1888 He served in
the 4Sth Congress with distinction.
and was rejected to the 49th, 5Oth,
51st, sid and SD Congress. He be.
came one of the leaders in Congress,
and as chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee framed the Wilson
tariff bill.
He was defeated for Congress by
Aston G. Dayton in 1894. He was
6 close political and personal friend
of President Cleveland, and the Pres
ident made him Postmaster General
during his last administration. He
supported with Mr.. Cleveland the
gold democratic ticket In 1896, aud
this sliensted many of mis- old friends
and ended his political career. When
Mr.. Cleveland's term was ended Mr..
Wilson retired also from politics. He
was afterwsrd elected president of
Washington and Lee L University, hold
ing that position until be died.
Mr.. Wilson was u man of the high
est character. His personal charac-
ter was pure and unspotted, his am
billions noble, his ideals lofty. Few
men in public life came forth from
political strife as clean as he and no
one could have been more honest or
more courageous in defense of his
principles. He was always a Chris
tian gentleman.
1t is singular coincidence that
four years ago to the day Mr.. Wilson
made the greatest speech of his life
in Charlestown, when he explained
his position in support of Palmer and
Buckner. 1t was the effort of his life,
delivered, as it was, to old friends
who had become his political enemies,
many of them bitter ones. The bean
ty and eloquence of that speech and
the thrilling earneStness of the speak
er will never be forgotten by those
who heard him on that occasion. He
said then, with burning emphasis,
that he would follow that which he
believed to be right if he were the
only human being on earth to do so.
And he meant it.-Shep. Register.
The funeral of the late VIM. L.
Wilson was held on Friday in Char
lestown, where he was buried. 1t
was attended by hundreds of people,
Ex-President Cleveland being among
those who gathered to pay the last
tribute of respect to the memory of
this great and good man.