The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-26
IERSON'S LIFE
DIRK HAS ENDED
er Speaker of House
I'd Eyentful Career.
flCAL RISE AND FALL
c DeSpotic Ruler in Congress
ter Having Been One of the
Most Democratic Members.

0NNAA OA+N u N-aS
Most Democratic Members.
3UQUE, Iowa, Feb. 26.-David
ner Henderson, former Speaker of
.ational House of Representatives.
last evening at Mercy Hospital
an illness of more than a year. His
al Will be held d the Episcopa.
ch in this city, Thursday, and in
ent will be made here in the beau
old cemetery that looks down from
limestone bluns upon the city that
been for almost all of his long and
ve life the home of General Hen
son.
IS not yet known who of the Off
Iowa colony in Washington viii
he 10 attend the funeral. but the ex-
tation is that a number will. If they
possibly leave their duties. attend
Obsequies,
Climax of Storms.
In his last days the stormy. career of
Is strange, strong, weak man found
climax of storms. His wife and
lighter We're constantly at his side,
ther of them. In those hours of de-
rum he lived over the great scenes of
life that was full of such. He led
ne cavalry Of debate on the floor Of
he national House. summoning his
larty associates to his support, and de-
bouncing their opponents with all the
tigor that in years ag0ne earned him
The leadership; ard then, in a wink
ment of Iowa boys on the battlefields
Of the South, fighting over once more
the contests which his daring and i'm
more than once contributed
10 Victories for Union arms.
Anon, he came back in spirit from
these scenes Of carnage, and was
Scotch lad. wandering over the heather
of his native and always beloved Scot
land. his mothers name upon his lips,
and the simplicity OF art1ess childhood
In his heart; he would hum the air OF
Annie Laurie" and then. as in an in
slant, il would turn to the vibrant ring
Of Marching Through Georgia" in
which so many, many times his voice
had led, in scenes of joIlIty and Of
pathos. on adjournment days in the
House A moment. and he was the
Speaker again, ruling with iron will and
dominating gavel
Thus He Died.
Thus went out the life of a man who
rose from the humblest to the highest
station. and then fell from that pin
lacle when his career was at its best
There have been few more striking
ragedies of politics in all the varie-
,ated story of American public affairs
David BTemner Henderson was born in
scotland, a fact which alone prevented
lin receiving at different times serious
as d Presidential possi-
'ility. His father. Thomas Henderson.
anne to this country when the son was
rat child. and settled in Iowa, taking
homestead
The boy David worked on the pioneer
arm. went TO the country schools, &C
iuired all the education they could
i've him. read all the books that could
Pc borrowed In the neiShborhood, and
[ last was able to enter Upper Iowa
University AT Fayette Half way
through his course, the civil war broke
at, and il Is one OF the most priced
traditions of that institution TO this
lay. that Dave Henderson, by one
peech to the students. organized Sc
essiOn of the entire body Of male stu
ents, convincing them all that 1t was
20 time for such as they to remain
18th their books when their country
eeded them. The student body marched
way and enlisted, Henderson at their
cad.
He was a private. this sturdy Scotch
ad. when he went into the service. In
hat day he was almost giant in
mystical strength. Il renowned wrestler
nd boxer, He was shot in the head
Il DonelsOn. but il was not so serious
IS 10 force him 10 leave the field. At
'orlnth he lost a foot. and later the
eg had 10 be amputated- From this
peTatiOn he never entirely recovered.
and throughout his life the wound gave
him periods of eScructating pain and
tpeatedly threatened his life. Many
lines new operations were found neces-
sary.
Commissioned as Colonel.
But the loss of a leg was not enough
10 keep him out Of the service He Sc
cured a commission as colonel of the
FiIly-sixth Iowa, and a year before
The wars end went out again with this
orssnization, serving to the end of the
Struggle.
After the war he studied law and be
gan practice in Dubuque. He was in
politics from the beginning. holding va
noqs county and minor State offices.
and finally, i'm 1852, was elected to Con-
twenty years afterward, he was elected
SPEAKER of the House His selection was
d remarkable tribute to his popularity
among his fellows of the House For
iIlaHE years he had been the most uni
Nt.Sdiiy liked man in the body
determined partisan, he was unre-
lenlng IN his zeal for the party and
party policies, he spared neither friend
nor zoe. But in his personal relations
he was the most lovable and thoughtful
OF men; and when the seat of Tom Reed
was TO be filled. and the saveI ~ his
despotic authority to be turned over to
another. the House quickly turned to
Henderson The rule OF Reed had be
come lrksome 10 many in and ont his
OWN party who dared not say so much
while the Maine man welded authority.
but who made themselves felt when he !
was some Ihese really united in sup
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