Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-08-20


good health up to Saturday after
noon. For several years, however,
he had suffered from heart affec-
ton, principally a weakness brought
on by cverworlz, and had guarded
himself against it, but the extra re-
sponsibilities in the senate, thrown
upon him last winter, together with
the shock of losing brother, son
and grandson within one year, are
believed to have aggravated his
trouble.
| Shock for Gov. Bliss.
Saginaw, Mich, Aug. 11.-Gov. A. T.
Bliss was greatly shocked at the
death of Senator James Mcmillan
and expressed the regret which he
said lie knew would be generally
shared over the loss sustained by the
state and nation. Soon after hearing
the news he issued the following
proclamation:
lion. James Mcmillan, United States
| senator from Michigan, died Sunday, Au-
| gust 10, 1902. in his summer home at Man
chest y-the-Sea, Mass. Death came swift
ly and very unexpectedly, with one stroke
| ending the active and highly honorable
| career of one of the most eminent of Mich
| igan's many illustrious public men. But
slightly past the sixtyfourth birthday, in
| the maturity of a vigorous life, he had the
promise of many years of useful service.
| and, his untimely demise will be generally
regretted. A self-made man, resolutely he
| climbed the ladder of success in both bust
| ness and public life, at all times clear of
head and keen of judgment, a man to be
| depended upon, a true friend, honest of
purpose and fair in his dealings with all
| men. In his home relations, where Amer
| lean manhood is at its best, he was low
| ing husband and devoted father.
Thrice elected to represent this COM
monwealth in the United States senate, by
| very force of character, he became lead
er in that august body, applying to the So
luton of the problems of legislation the
! sharpened Judgment of a business man. and
bringing to the execution of the tasks
| intrusted to him executive ability of high
| order. His death is a distinct loss to the
| nation as we'll as to the state.
| "As a mark of public respect, until after
| the funeral the flags on the capitol and at
| all other state buildings will be displayed
! at half-staff. During the funeral services
! all state departments will be closed. and
| justices of the supreme court, state Of
| ficials and heads Of departments are re-
| Quested to attend the obsequies.
| "A. T. BLISS. Governor"
| Career of the Dead Senator.
| Senator James Mcmillan was born In
| Hamilton, Ontario, May IL. 1885, and re-
| moved to Detroit when II years Of age.
| Soon after his arrival in Detroit he was ap-
| pointed purchasing agent of the Detroit
| & Milwaukee railroad, which position he
held for several years. In company with
| several others he organized the Michigan
| car company in 1864, and afterwards pur-
chased the car works at st. Louis and es-
| tablished similar works at Cambridge.
| Ind, anG, London, Ont. His brother, Will
purchased the St. Louis works. Senator Nc
| MILAN became interested in the Lake
carrying trade and invested large
sums In lake transportation, both
freight and passenger. He also was
| heavily interested in the ship building
business on the great lakes. 1t was largely
through his influence that the Duluth.
South Shore & Atlantic railroad across the
upper peninsula of Michigan was con-
| struCted.
Prominent in Business ife.
Senator Mcmillan became enc of the most
| prominent men in the business life of De-
troit He was director in the First ma
| tional. the Detroit savings and the State
| savings banks of this city, anG was also a
| Etockholder in a number of other banks
| and financial institutions. Among the
more important local corporations in which
| he held stock are the Michigan mallea BILE
iron works, the Detroit Railroad Elevator
company, the Detroit Union Station COM
| pany, the Fulton Iron & Engine works, the
| Detroit Iron Furnace company and D. M.
| Ferry & Company, wholesale seed dealers.
He was a large stockholder In the Detroit
and Buffalo and the Detroit and Cleveland
lines Of steamers, and was PRESIDENT of the
| latter line
| His Political Career.
Senator Mcmillan was the recognized re-
publican leader In Michigan, and had been
since his first election as senator in 1882
When ex-senator Zachariah. Chandler died
in 1879 Senator Mcmillan was secretary of
the republican state central committee.
Chambers death left the republican party
in Michigan without dominant leader for
| several years. In 1885 Mr. Mcmillan was
| elected chairman of the state central COM
mittee, and from that time until his death
he was the leader of his party in Michigan.
He held the state craftsmanship until 1896,
serving for seven years after his election
| to the senate. Senator McMillan's sue
cess in politics, as we'll as in business. can
| be largely accredited to his wonderful ex-
ecutive ability. He was man of compare
lively small personal acquaintance
throughout the state, but he picked his
party lieutenants with rare Judgment. He
| was no orator, and seldom spoke before an
audience. His life was clean and his char
acter spotless. His word was sacred. An
unqualified promise once given was never
broken. A qualified promise was never
changed from the original qualifications.
The late governor, H. S. Pingree, opposed
Senator Mcmillan strongly during the last
years Of his (Pingrees) career in state poll
tics. .-..@