The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-04
LEWELLINU UEhDr
Kansas Ex-Governor Expires
Suddenly at Arkansas City.
Died at Home of His Brother
in-LaW.
DEATH UNEXPECTED.
Family Did Not Know Illness
Was Serious.
Had Been at Geuda Springs For
His Health.
WAS FIRST GOVERNOR
Elected in the United States by
P0pulists.
Had Stormy and Exciting Ad-
ministratiOn.
Had Been at Geuda Springs For
His Health.
WAS FIRST GOVERNOR
Elected in the United States by
Populists.
Had a Stormy and Exciting Ad-
ministration.

Ex-Governor L. D. LewelIing, the first
PopuIist governor of Kansas died very
suddenly and unexpectedly at Arkansas
City. Kan, last night. Death was due to
heart failure. Mr.. Lewelling had been,
under the advice of a physician, recuper-
ating at Geuda Springs Growing worse
instead of better he started yesterday to
return home. He reached Arkansas City
much fatigued and went to the home of
his brother-in-law, G. A. Miller, to rest
until today when he expected to resume
the trip home to Wichita But short
time before 10 O'Clock last night he was
seized with a violent attack of apoplexy
and died in a. few moments
Governor Lewelling had been in i'll
health for several years but did not at
any time suspect the presence of heart
trouble. Treatment for other causes of
failing health has been administered.
The principal affiiction which Mr. Le-
many years was indigestion and conf
plication of stomach trouble.
The arrangements for the funeral have
not been completed but the burial Will
probably be at Wichita to which place
the remains will be taken today.
Mr.. LeWeling was nearing his fifty
fourth birthday anniversary. He was
born at Salem, Iowa, in December, 1916.
He resided and was married in Iowa,
coming to Kansas in 1886, landing at
Wichita when the boom was in posses
sion of the west Prior to his venture in
coming west Mr.. Lewelling had served
several years as superintendent of the
Iowa Industrial school for girls and re-
signed the Office of president of the
board Of regents of the state normal
school at DeS Me3nes- Lewelling occu-
pied these positions as a Republican
Soon after he came to Kansas the
boom which had been sweeping over the
west collapsed and the old Alliance
movement was started He was one of
the early converts gained by that party,
at the time being engaged in the COM
mission business
MR. LEWELLING NOMINATED
The second state convention of the re-
form elements was held at Wichita.Then
Lewelling was doing business in a small
office in the corner of the building which
served as warehouse. Various names
were suggested as suitable timber for
the executive Office but were passed. Mr..
Lewelling was mentioned With that en-
thusiaSm which has always been char
acteristic of Wichita, large numbers of
men, irrespective of party, doomed Le-
yelling on every hand and he was nonl-
mated, but a speech he made before the
convention had more to do with his NOM
ination as anything else. Mr.. Lewelling
was elected.
The governor of the first Peoples par
ty administration in the United States
was inaugurated with great pride and
demonstration by his followers.
LEGISLATIVE WAR.
Two years prior to the election of
Lewelling, John F. Willis was the re-
form nominee for governor He was
defeated, but the elements which fos-
tered his candidacy charged that the
Republicans had stolen the election and
deprived the people of an honest count
This caused bitter ennlities which have
in these later days almost disappeared
but the feeling was still bitter when L.
D. LeWellfng was sworn in as governor.
The legislative war followed Lewelling's
inauguration in 1892 There was a con-
test over the controlling power in the
house Both parties claimed it The
situation became so threatening that
the governor ordered the militia under
arms to clear Representative hall. J.
w. f. Hughes was the commanding
officer.
The Republicans were behind barri-
caded doors in the legislative halls, and
Colonel Hughes refused to lead an at
tack upon the men behind the doors
For this Hughes was court martialed
He was dismissed from the service with
a dishonorable discharge, the result of
the court martial. The legislative war
was finally taken into court and was
settled peaceably. The Republicans
controlled the legislature but the Popu-
THE RENOMINATION.
In those days it was a principle of
the reform elements that the office
this theory Governor Lewelling had an
nounced that he would not be a candi-
date for denomination for a second
term at the convention which assembled
in Topeka.
Governor dwellings managers soon
discovered that some of the delegates,
in fact. many of them, had taken him
literally and were talking of putting
up some new man, who had not been
selected, but the sentiment was growing
in the convention and the governor sent
for a Topeka reporter. When Mr.. Lew
elIing came to Topeka he lived at the
Dutton house. Then he located at the
Chesterfield When the state conven-
ton was held he was quartered at the
Throop. There the reporter for whom
he had sent a messenger found him.
When the newsgatherer entered the
governors room the chief executive
was apparently much disturbed over
the situation surrounding his renomina-
ton The governor said:
will you make statement for me
in the paper ~
Certainly was the reply.
Then the governor unfolded his
troubles Some of these delegates have
taken me at my word concerning this
denomination. They think don't want
the honor but do. Now what want
is an interview declaring that I will
accept if the nomination is rendered
me-"
4.AlI right said the reporter: well
attend to it for you"
Don't embarrass me-" said the gov