Evening star., 1901-05-30
Venerable Ex-Representative in Con-
gress Victim Of Heart Failure.
LONG And DISTINGUISHED CkREEE
Well Known to the Country as Ad-
vocate of Prohibition.
MAN OF STRONG CONVICTIONS

i
o'clock this morning at his residence, 1890
Vermont avenue, in this city. Although
Mr.. Price was eighty-seven years old he
had enjoyed splendid health up to the very
day of his death. Sunday, as was his Gus
tom for years, he walked from his resi-
dence to Foundry Church, corner of G and
1ith streets, to attend service. Yesterday
he was also out for a walk. When he was
stricken late last night Dr. Joseph w. Lit
tie was summoned, and was with his pa
tient when the end came, a few minutes
later.
Although Mr.. Price had a long and dis
tinguished career in the House Of Repre-
SeEtativeS and commissioner of Indian
affairs he was perhaps best known to the
country through his work as an anti-liquor
man. He for years took an active interest
in the prohibition party.
Mr. Price was born in Washington coun-
ty, Pa, January 10. 1914. His father was
a farmer. He received a common school
education and was employed on his father S
farm for several years. He then served
some time as bookkeeper for commission
house near Pittsburg, equipping himself
70" mercantile life. In 1874 he went west
and settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he
opened a store He took an active interest
in public affairs and soon became one of
the leading men of the state. He was COL
ltclOT, treasurer ana recorder 10r MS
county. One year after the establishment
of the State Bank of Iowa Mr.. Price be-
came its president and continued for
many years. When the civil war began the
state had no public funds, and Mr.. Price
furnished from his own private means
quarters and subsistence for 5000 men for
five months. He also advanced about s., 1000
to pay off the list, I'd and Sd Iowa regi-
ments, and carried the same to them with
much personal risk from the bushwhack-
erS In northern Missouri
Service In COngress.
Mr.. Price was elected to Congress as a
republican and served from 1863 to 1869,
when he declined to again be a candidate.
After leaving Congress he spent some time
in Europe. When he returned he was again
elected to Congress and served from 1875 to
1878, but again declined to serve further.
In 1881 he was appointed commissioner Of
Indian affairs and served such from that
time until shortly after the first inaugura-
ton of President Cleveland.
During his long residence in Washington
Mr.. Price has occupied the house which he
built and in which he died, 1920 Vermont
avenue. Mr.. Prices wife died fifteen years
ago. He has two sons living Milton and
William Price. His daughter who was
Mrs. John F. Dillon. and her little girl lost
their lives at sea four years ago. Judge
John F. Dillon, who has been telegraphed
for from New York is the attorney of the
arrangements for the funeral will not be
made until he arrives tomorrow.
His Characteristics.
Mr.. Price was man of strong personal
character and strictly puritanical habits A
story which illustrates these traits even in
his early life, and one which he sometimes
told, was his experience when he first left
his fathers farm and embarked in the
commercial world. He secured a place as
bookkeeper for commission house near
Plttsburg. The business of the house was
heavy. Young Price went to work on Mon
DAY morning and worked until Saturday
night. On Sunday he arose a little later
usual and attended church.
On his way back from church he han
pcned to look over in the direction Of his
place Of business, and. much to his sur
prise. he noticed that the men were all at
work handling freight and the place was
III operation week days. Mr. Price
has said that he went to his boarding
house feeling chagrined and somewhat
discouraged He told his landlady that he
expected to lose his position; that he had
noticed that his place of business was run
on Sunday, and that before he would work
on that day he would quit. The next
morning he went to work. Nothing was
said to him, and ne made no remark about
the Sunday work. The next Sunday he
went to church usual and the commits
sion house did business. This state of af-
1alrs continued for nine years, and not q
word was ever said to the bookkeeper
about working on Sunday. Even when he
terminated his connection with the firm to
go west the matter was not spoken of.
After he had been in business for him.
self In Davenport for several years he took
a trip to Philadelphia to buy goods While
there he found that his old firm had es-
tablished branch house there and went
to them for prices He was met by his
old employer, who was delighted to see
him. After the business was concluded he
was invited to dinner, and then for the
first time was the Sunday work spoken
OF. The commission merchant had been
converted to Christianity He told Mr.
Price that his stores were now closed on
sunday, and he congratulated the young
man on the stand he had taken and main
tained.