Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-05-03

shaft, and the thoroughness with
which he did this attracted the atten-
ton of a mine foreman. The foreman
offered the boy the position of driving
the skinny old horse that worked the
mine pump. William eagerly accept
ed, and for three years he furnished
the incentive that kept the horse
faithful to his task.
At the end Of three years William
got promotion. He was permitted to
drive the horse that holsted the ore
bucket from the mine. This horse, be-
ing livelier and more intelligent ami
NAL than the other, did not require SO
much urging, and the boy had time
for meditation.
In some way the knowledge crapt
into is active brain that an education
was q good thing. At that time he did
not know SO much as the alphabet, but
the thought took root and flourished,
and one night after the days work
was over he went to the village store
and asked for book. '
The clerk sold him primer and
gave him his first lesson in the alpha
bet. William was fascinated with
the new world that the ability to read
opened to him. He studied every
night.
When he was ten years old he was
offered place in grocery store.
The position paid him more wages
,n.a .,oyo l,i,, ,,,nro %tp,a 70 otud,, ond
he took It. For four years he work
ed and studied and saved and accu-
INFLATED enough money to pay board
and tuition for year at college In
Lawrence. Wis.
Following his year in the university
there We're years of teaching school.
saving and studying law, and at 10 he
took the examination and was admit
ted to the University of Michigan.
He was 20 years old and still a stu
dent at Ann Arbor when the first shots
of the Civil War We're fired, and he
and others of about his own age form
ed company and offered themselves
for enlistment The recruiting officers
told them to go back to school. Most
Of them did so. William Warner went
home and began teaching again.
But one day in 1862, while class
was in the middle Of recitation, he
decided to go to war. $50 home" he
said to the pupils. There will be no
more school until you get new teach
err"
He went to Shullsburg, Wis, organ
lied company and was unanimously
elected its lieutenant. The Thirty
third Wisconsin Infantry was formed.
Lieutenant Warmers company was as
signed to it, and he was elected adju-
tant.
In the army he was engaged In &C.
tice service constantly. He was with
Grant before Vicksburg For his gal
liant services in the fighting that pre-
coded the surrender of General Penn
berton he was appointed assistant ad-
jutant general in the staff of I. Kirby
Smith, and served In that capacity in
che Red River campaign. After that
ne saw constant service in Arkansas
and Missouri. He was farsighted
enough to see the future possibilities
of Missouri.
A month after he was mustered out,
as a major at Madison, Wis, at the
close Of the war, he was on his way
back to Missouri with all his scant be.
longings.
A few months after he arrived in
Kansas City he formed a law partner
ship with c. o. Tichenor that endured
until 1884.
In 1867 he was elected City Attor-
ney. The following year he was
chosen prosecuting attorney of the
county. not an enviable position at that
time when the anImosities of the war
still ranked. In 1871 he was elected
Mayor. In 1884 he was elected to Con.
gress and was reelected, finally retir.
Ing from the national lawmaking body
In 1892. The same year he was nomi.
mated by the Republicans for Cover
nor, but was defeated.
In personal appearance Major War
ner is solidly built, broad-shouldered
man Of medium height, with a firm
face, kindly gray eyes that CLEAN with
fire. n carriage that suggests the old
military life. and face smooth, ex.
cept for heavy iron-gray moustache.
His hair is thick and shaggy as a lions
name.
At the surrender of Vicksburg, July
1, 1868, Major Warner was captain OF
n company in Wisconsin regiment.
,, He stood between the lines Of the
opposing forces and read the Declare.
ton of Independence as the soldiers
marched. He was cheered by both
! Federals and coatederates