Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-08-09
JAMES LEGATE DEAD
Veteran Kansas Politician Passes
Away at Leavenwor,h.
For More Than Forty Years He Wa
Noted Character in tho States
HistOry-BrIef Sketch OF
His Life


Leavenworth, Kan, Aug. 5-James
F. Legate, a veteran politician Of
Kansas, died at his home here Mon
day night of paralysis. He was IA
years of age. He was prominent in
the early days of Kansas, coming
here in 1854. He was appointed gov
ernor of Washington territory in
1872 by President Grant, but, owing
to the political collapse of Senator
POmeroy, was never confirmed. In
the early days he was superintendent
of the mail service in Nebraska, New
Mexico, Colorado and Kansas.
A few years ago Mr.. Legate's eye
! sight became impaired and for nearly
year he was totally blind. He spent
year in the soldiers home and dur
ing that time his sight was restored.
He then returned to his home on
Fifth avenue, in this city, where he
had since resided. Mr.. Legate was
married to Miss Jane c. Philips, of
New Hampshire. She is still living
and is in excellent health.
Sketch OF His Career.
James F. Legate was a professional
politician. He made politics a business.
Occasionally he would take on some
other occupation as a side issue, but
would not work at 1t long. He edited 8
couple or three newspapers in Leaven-
worth for brief periods at different times,
and frequently would stick out his
Single announcing that he was in the
practice of law. During his time he was
in four different parties-the unionist
while in Mississippi and the free state,
republican and populist parties in Kan
sas. He Joined the republican party the
stayed with it until 1892 when he went
off with the populists. He was an active
republican and a passive pOpulist.
For more than 20 years he had every
thing his own way in republican politics
in Kansas. He was one of the acknoWl-
edged leaders. His chief ambition was
to be in the legislature, and he generally
satisfied 1t, because he was a member
of that body for about 20 years.
He was born in Worcester county,
Mass, November %, 1929 In a house
built by his paternal ancestor five gem
erations preceding him, and on land
decided to that ancestor by the Eng
lish government under the reign of
George II. He was educated at Will
bRaham academy. Massachusetts, and
after quitting school he took up the
study of law. Being of adventurous
spirit, he embraced an opportunity and
went to Mississippi, where he taught
school at Olive Branch cross roads.
Eighteen months later he went into the
law Office of Judge Elisha Miller, at
Holly Springs, and remained there until
1858. In 1852 he got interested in politics,
and was elected to the house of repre-
sentatives in Mississippi.
Mississippi climate didn't exactly suit
Legate, so he went to Washington in
1854 and remained until the Kansas Ne
braska bill passed. He talked over af-
fairs in the new territory with Jefferson
Davis, then secretary of war, and de-
cided to come to Kansas. Davis armed
a V Sumner.
then stationed at Fort Leavenworth. He
arrived at Leavenworth July 5, 1854 He
moved to Lawrence Chen New Boston)
a month later. He concluded that he
wanted to be agent for the Delaware In
dams, and sent his application to Wash
ington. He was promised the job. How
ever, before the commission was made
out Legate dropped in at free state
meeting in Lawrence one night and was
called upon to make a, speech. He MADE
a stemwinding argument in favor of the
free state side. That sealed his doom
with the national administration. He was
notified by the war department that he
would not be appointed Indian agent.
He then took up the free state cause
with more energy than ever, and organ
lied a company of cavalry for scouting
purposes and for guard duty around
Lawrence. He was in the thick of all the
troubles between the pro-siavery men
and the free staters- In 1856 he was
member of the grand jury which indict-
treason.
He located at De Soto, Johnson county,
in 1857, and lived there until 1862. He
served a term as probate judge of that
county Upon the adoption of the state
constitution he was elected to the leg
isIature. He was appointed federal as
SCISSOR for the district of Kansas in 1862
and organized the revenue service of the
state During that period he moved to
Lawrence and remained there until Guam
treITs raid in 1863. He had to swim the
river to escape death in that raid Then
he moved to IleaVenWorth, which he has
since called his home. He led the fight
In the republican state convention for
Thomas Carney and succeeded in nonni-
Mating him for governor. He was elect
ed senator from Leavenworth county in
1864 and served four years. Then he was
elected representative and served IL
years in that body. all told. In 1867 he
was appointed government mail agent
for Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New
Mexico and the Indian territory and
served one year.
In 1884 he was appointed receiver or
the federal land office at Cour d'Alene,
Ida This was the last federal Office he
1889 as a republican leader. and soon went
all to pieces. In 1892 he Topped to the
pop party and announced that he would
make a speech telling what he knew on
some of the republican leaders; he was
| going to turn states evidence, so TO
speak He prepared the speech and the
date was set for its delivery. but he did
not make it.
Mr.. Legate was in the legislature dur
ing the York-Pomeroy scandal. Senator
| Pcmeroy was conducting a stiff cam
paign for reelection. He resorted TO
the use of money. He bought Tor
thought he bought) York at critical
stage of the election York walked down
the aisle and laid down a roll OF 5000
in bills which he claimed Pomeroy lad
given him for his vote. The money was
laid on the reporters table in the house
THAT table is now in the newspaper room
| in the state house. The exposure created
intense excitement. A committee COM
posed of Judge Horton, James Legafe
and others was appointed to take charge
of the money Legate, unsolicited. said
he would act as custodian and cab
baeed onto the roll. The members Of the
committee went to an Office down town
to decide what should become OF the
money. During the consultation Legate
excused himself, saying he wanted to 90
down the back stairs a few moments
The other members went to the window
to watch him There was high board
fence around the building in the rear
I,egate Jumped up several times, trying
to reach the top Of the fence so he could
scale IT. He couldn't quite reach the top
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