Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-04-05

people jumped to the conclusion that
all they to do to get money was to ask
for IL and the more they asked for tine
more they would get. Several years
since, the ex-senator was approached
by member of one of the Oshkosh
churches for subscription.
Mr.. Sawyer said he would see
about it and a few days later
he handed the pastor of the church al
check for $25. Meeting the church
member a few minutes afterwards, he
told the man of it, twenty-five dol
larsl" said the man. $50 that is an?l
If had been the one you gave it to, Il
would have returned it," A church
committee in the northern part of the
state applied to Mr.. Sawyer by letter
for subscription and he sent them a
| check for $25. In few days The check
was returned iwth the message that
If you can't give more than that you
needn't give anything" Mr.. Sawyer
destroyed the check and wrote letter
thanking the committee for returning
| it.
A friend of Mr.. Sawyer, one who is
familiar with the dead mans affairs.
is authority for a statement of the
amount which has been given away by
him in the last twenty-five years.
Counting the amounts subscribed for
schools, churches, charities and polit-
zeal purposes. Mr.. Sawyer's donations
since 1872 will exceed $3.50, 900. In
other words, for the past twenty-five
years he has given to the public, in
charities large and small an average
OF $4,000 year and an aggregate of
over quarter of million dollars
When the project of raising money
to meet the Harris bequest was in
danger, ex-senator Sawyer subscribed
$4,000 and it was this splendid sub
scription which undoubtedly made the
project a success. 1t is scarcely a
wonder that the "Old man" had large
political influence. He was on the bonds
OF several ex-treasurers and of him
it is popularity supposed that hundred
thousand or more were collected.
One trait in the character of Mr..
Sawyer that won him respect from a
vast number of people, who objected to
much else that he did, was his untiring
devotion and solicitude for the comfort
of his wife, who was an invalid for
Years before her death. The people
saw and appreciated the conditions,
and many a man who would fight the
Ex-senator at the polls and on the
stump, said in the privacy of his own
thoughts God bless old Sawyer, when a
picture of his domestic life fitted for a
moment in public.
In addition to his residence in Osh-
kosh, Mr.. Sawyer had home in Wash
lington that was one of the landmarks
of the national capital. While he was
a United States senator his family
spent most of their time
in their Washington home, and
after he retired from public life it was
occupied BY one of his married daugh-
tiers. The house of Mr.. --Sawyer's son,
Edgar P, on the opposite side of the
Istreet from his Oshkosh residence is
much the finer in external appearance.
1t is said that once when the senator
was asked the reason for such dispar-
ity he replied: well, you see my boy
had a rich dad and | didn't" Edgar's
son, Philetus Horace Sawyer. was we'd
ded some three years ago to a daugh-
ter of Gov. Upham.
Mr.. Sawyer's domestic life was sin
gularly happy. His greatest sorrow
came when he lost his devoted wife,
who had shared with him his humble
quarters in the log cabin and his
mansion in Washington When she
, died. twelve years ago, after a linger-
ing illness, the senate adjourned as a
mark of respect to her memory. The
remains of Mrs. Sawyer repose in a
marble mausoleum in the cemetery, in
which will also be deposited the body
of the senator. Mr.. and Mrs. Sawyer
were blessed with five children-Ed-
gar R., Ema and Erna, and Earl and
Ella, who died in early life. Edgar
, of late years has had the care of his
fathers large interests.
! AT the Capital.
, On the receipt of the news of Sena-
| tor Sawyer's death at the capitol the
flag was Immediately hung at half
. mast and many expressions OF sorrow
. were heard about the corridors Of the
i, state house. 1t is expected large del
j, egation of state officials and other cit
|, liens will go to Oshkosh to attend the
funeral.