The Washington times., 1903-12-04
The Former Democratic
Leader in House Vic
tim of Pneumonia.
SPEAKER CRISP'S RIVAL
Chairmanof Ways and Means
Committee and Supreme
Judge in Oklahoma.

Judge William VI. Springer, Of Spring
field. for twenty years member Of
the House of Representatives from the
Springfield UL) district, died of pneu-
monia shortly after o'clock this
morning at his home. 43 B street south
east in this city.
Judge Springer was taken I'll in Chi
cago on Thanksgiving Day He was in
that city acting as associate counsel
in the drainage canal case. He accept
ed the invitation of an old friend to
take dinner on Thanksgiving Day at the
latter's home. a short distance outside
Of Chicago. To reach the place it was
necessary for, Judge Springer to take a
suburban car and walk a short distance.
There was heavy fall OF snow at the
time, and in walking from the car 10
the home Of his friend he caught cold.
He was taken so III that it was neces-
sary for him to return TO his hotel
without partaking OF the dinner
Foresaw the End.
Fearing that his illness might be seri-
Gus Judge Springer decided TO come to-
Washington. Although a sick man he
made the trip alone. reaching here on
Saturday afternoon, and taking to lsi
bed. from which he was never able TO
arise
DR. Custis was summc ned and pro-
nouaced Judge Springer's Illness due TO
typhoid pneumonia. Last night the doc
tor remained with the patient until 2
o'clock, when Judge Springer fell into
peaceful sleep, and thinking that he
would survive the night the physician
left the house. An hour later Judge
fr1r afH
asleep.
His son, Chaplaii. r. w. Springer, OF
the army, who was alone with his fa-
ther at the time. noticed that he was
breathing peacefully. Then, suddenly
and without warning, the breathing
ceased altogether.
Widow and Son Survive.
Judge Springer is survived by a widow
and one son. Chaplain Springer, who is
stationed at Fort Myer.
Only partial arrangements have been
made for the funeral. The obsequies
win probably be held ~ the Metropoli-
tan NJ. E. Church, which Judge Springer
attended. The Rev. Dr. Frank NJ. Bris-
tol will ohciate. The remains will be
placed temporarily in the vault at Rock
Creek Cemetery and later viii be re-
moved to Springfield and Inferred in the
family burial place there. The pail
bearers have not yet been selected
Born in Indiana.
Judge Springer was born in Sullivan
county, Ind. May 80, 1896, and removed
to Illinois with his parents in 1S4S. He
graduated from the Indiana State Uni
versity at Bloomington In 1858. studied
law and was admitted TO tho bar In
1853. He was secretary of the State con-
stitutionaI convention Of Illinois in 1862,
and was member Of the State legis-
lature in 1871 and 1872.
He was elected to the Forth-fourth
Congress and served continuously
through the Fifty-third CoUgress-a
period Of twenty years. He took a con-
spicuous part in the affairs of the Demo
cratic party, to which he belonged, and
was a formidable candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Speaker
against the late Judge Crisp in the
Ffftv-secOnd Congress
Ways and Means Chairman.
Judge Crisp was chosen Speaker and
appointed his rival as chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee.
After leaving Congress President
Cleveland appointed Judge Springer su-
preme judge OF the Territory of okla
homa, which Office he held for four
years, Since 1899 Judge Springer has re-
sided In Washington and practiced law.
Judge Springer was a strong advocate
of temperance. and a supporter Of re-
form movements.
The family is today receiving the con-
doIence Of "a large number OF Judge
Springer's old friends IN public life.
Among those who extended sympathy
was Speaker Cannon. for many years
Judge Springer's colleague in the House