Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-10-27

These are the men that the presi-
dent has selected to arbitrate the
differences between the striking coal
miners and the mine owners and
operators Of Pennsylvania:
Brig.-Gen. John M. Wilson, United
States army, retired, has had long
military career, and has for years
been a student of social problems.
He was born in Washington October
8, 1857. He was graduated from West
Point in the class Of 1860, and on July
l of that year was breveted lieutenant
of artillery January 20, 1861, he was
appointed a second lieutenant OF ar
Clllery and May IA Of the same year
was promoted to be first lieutenant.
He was transferred to the engineer
corps in 1862, and on March 3, 1868,
made captain in the service. He was
made a major June 3, 1867; Heuten-
ant colonel on March II, 1884, and
colonel March II, 1895. February l,
1897, he was promoted to the posi-
ton Of chief of engineers, with the
rank of brigadier-general. This posi-
ton he occupied until he was placed
on the retired list last October. The
degree of doctor Of laws was con-
ferred upon him by Columbian uni
versity in 1890.
Through the civil war he made for
himself a record for gallantry, to
which his rapid advancement was due.
After the war he had charge OF
numerous engineering works, from
time to time being engaged on en-
gineering works on rivers and har-
bors, canals, the building of the army
medical museum and library, COM
pletion Of the Washington monument
and many other important works. He
was for time superintendent Of the
military academy at West Point.
General Wilson'S home in Washington
is at 1141 Connecticut avenue north
| west.
Edward Wheeler Parker.
Edward Wheeler Parker was born
at Port Deposit, Md, on June 15,
1860. He was educated in Baltimore
and became a newspaper man early
in life, serving in every capacity Oh
the Austin Statesman from com
position to managing editor and finally
business manager. He left this po-
sition at the call of DR.. David T. Day
of the geological survey, with whom
| he had been associated in his boy
hood days in Baltimore, to become
his personal repres entative and chief
clerk for the mining branch of the
eleventh census, position which he
filled with such signal success that
he became permanently connected
with the geological survey in 1891, as
soon as the census work was over.
I For the survey he took entire charge
of the work of gathering a statement
of the total output of coal for the
| United States, and has continued in
charge of that work ever since.
Mr.. rarker was also, on account OF
his familiarity with the coal re-
sources and other mineral industries,
made a member Of the international
jury on mining at the worlds Column
bian exposition. For the Atlanta eX-
|
hibit of the coal resources Of the entire
southern country, and the exhibit was
in itself an epitome of his thorough
and practical grasp on how to demon
strate to the world such resources.
Mr.. Parkers training includes his
graduation as a practical mining en-
gineer, and in connection with his ser
vices with the government he has had
much practice and has visited prac-
ticaIly all of the coal producing re-
gions of the United States.
Judge George Gray.
George Gray was born in New Cas-
tie, Delaware, May 4, 1910. He was
graduated from Princeton college with
year at Harvard law school. From
| 1868 to 1879 he practiced law in Della
ware, becoming during that period
one of the leaders of the bar of that
state. A close student Of public af-
fairs, he early became active in poll
| tics. He was attorney general of
Delaware from 1879 to 1885, and as a
delegate from Delaware took a prom
inent part in the democratic national
conventions of 1876, 1880 and 1884
When Thomas F. Bayard became
| secretary of state Mr.. Gray was
chosen his successor in the United
States senate and at once took his
seat in that body. In 1887 he was re-
elected senator for the full term of
six years. After the death of Nor
rison Waite, the appointment of Mr..
Gray as chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States was strong
ly urged upon the president, but his
claims were rejected on account of his
age, an older man being thought more
desirable for the place. During his
/ period of service in the senate, where