The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-02-14
EX-G()V. F|SHBACK DEAD
Passed Away at His Home in Fort
Smith on the 9th Inst.
At TIE AGE OF SEVeHTy-IW0 YEARS,
One Of the Most Progressive Men in
Public Life in ADMINISTRATION Of
a Famous Amendment to the Con.
stitution, Which Saved the State
Thousands of Dollars.

Thousands of Dollars.
Ex- Gov Fishback died at his home
| in Fort Smith at II o'clock on the 9th
inst.
Gov. Fishback was attacked with
stroke Of paralysis about ten days be-
fore his death and from that moment
the attending physicians had but little
hopes Of his recovery
AS a private citizen and public ON
cial Gov. Fishback was recognized as
q progressive, conscientious man, and
he was highly esteemed by the people
not only in this state, but throughout
the country.
biographical.
William Meade Fishback, seventeenth
governor of Arkansas NS93-s5) was
born at Jefferson, Culpepper county
Va. November 8. 1881. son OF Frederick
and Sophia (Yates) Fishback. His
paternal grandfather, Martin Fishback.
q revolutionary soldier was descended
from Frederick Fishback, a planter
who, settling in Maryland at an early
date. owned the land upon which Fred
erickstown afterward stood, his wifes
father, named Hager owning the sub
seQuent site OF Hagerstown. His ma
ternal grandfather was Col. Fortress
Yates. of Petersburg, Va, whose wife
| hlgrGnHPA
from William Stith, author of His
tory Of Virginia" also descendant on
the Randolph family and president OF
| william and Mary College. The son
received his rudimentary education at
the schools OF his native village and
| vicinity subsequently entering the IN
iversity Of Virginia. After his gradu-
alton. in 1855, he studied law In the
Office Of Luther X. Spellman. at Rich
| mond and was admitted TO the bar IN
1853 His first venture In law prac-
tlce was in 1858, while on an extended
visit to Illinois. Here he became ac-
uualntcd with Abraham Lincoln, who
attracted to the young man, entrusted
him with important legal business while
travelling through the state. In 1888
Mr. Fshback took up permanent res
idence at Fort Smith, Ark, where he
engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion.
In 1861 he was elected delegate to the
state convention which passed the Or
dinance Of secession Although so pro"
nounced a Union man that the seces.
sion press OF the state denounced him
as an abolitionist. yet he was opposed
10 the policy Of coercion, thinking that
such a course would provoke civil war
| Upon Mr.. Lincolns call for troops, by
advice OF his constituents, Mr. Fish
back voted for secession, in the hope
that when the North saw the with
drawal OF all the Southern states It
might be forced into accepting the Crit
tendon compromise. All efforts at com
promise failing, however, when the war
broke out he went north but during
the occupation of Little Rock by the
Federal troops, in 1868, he established
newspaper called the Unconditional
Union" While editing that paper he,
a. commander was raising the Fourth
| Arkansas cavalry for the Federal ser
vice when about 800 men had enlisted
he was elected to the United States
senate by the Union Legislature, and
thus was never mustered into service
Under the proclamation OF President
Lincoln the reorganization OF the state
was st length accomplished In Janu
AIRY, 1864
Mr. Fshback had such influence with
the convention In charge that he was
called upon TO write the greater part
OF the constitution Of 1854, sometimes
called the "Fishback Constitution" He
was advised that II the word white
rs prerequisite to voting was not
stricken out. the state would not be re.
cciycd into the Union, and that he would
not get his seat in the senate, to which
4, was known he would be elected, Be
licVng, however that II would not BE-
safe 10 confer the suffrage upon all, N
refused 10 strike II out; he was, there
fore, not seated In 1865 he was Bp
pointed treasury agent for Arkansas
and his conduct In that once added
largely TO his popularity In 1884 he
was elected TO the convention which
framed the present constitution, and In |
1871 1879 and 1885 he served In the
legislature, lie Is the author Of what
II known rs the "Fishback Amendment"
10 the constitution OF the state OF Am
nnsas by which the legislature is for
hidden ever TO pay certain state bon@
issued during reconstruction times
| During the summer OF 1899, contrary
TO the policy OF his opponents, he made
no canvass for the nomination for gov
crnor, His cause was taken up by the
people, however, and he received $40
yention, while his plurality at the polls
was larger than that received by any
other governor since reconstruction
times Immediately after his election
he accepted the urgent invitation OF me
national Democratic committee and go
Ing North, made a number Of speeches
In New York and In Indiana, which met
with gratifying success, His admins
tfntlon was marked by continued pros
pcfty
II was at the suggestion OF Gov, Flth'
back that the governors OF the Southern
states met IN convention at Richmond
Va, In April 1898, the assembly boing
one OF the most important and distin'
guished ever held IN America, or this
no was made president A n lawyer
Gov FishbRek ranked with tho best
while M n debntef ana public speaker
he had few equals, No man was bet
ter known throughout his state, his his
tory being a part OF It's history In
| 1897 GOV, Flshback was married 10 Nd
elnide, daughter OF Joseph miller o
prominent merchant Of Fort Smith Five
| children were born 60 them, three sons
and two daughters, Mira, flshback died