The Goodland republic., 1907-01-18

DAVID OVERBfYER on rOPEKA
DIED SUDDENLY.
A stauneh and Honest Man Thas
Friend and Opponent Both
Loved.

Topeka, Jan 1O.-David Overmye-,
a democratic politician known
throughout Kansas, died az his home
here last night His unexpected death
was due to a relapse after a bad case
OF pneumonia
Mr.. Overmyer was candidate for
attorney general on the democratic
ticket at the recent election and was
once a candidate for governor. He
was several times a delegate 20 the
national convention to the party. he
was a lawyer.
David Overmyer's political life was
rather a stormy one He was in the
legislature that adopted the prohibi-
ton amendment to the constitution,
and the latter years OF his life were
spent in almost constantly fighting for
resubmission. He came from Indiana
in 1876. In 1882 he was elected 70
the legislature from Topeka and took
part in supporting the Vance prOhibi-
ton. In 1885 he was again in the
legislature and in that session was just
as vigorous in fighting for resubmis-
sion.
Mr.. overmyer also opposed what
was then known as the grand jury
bill, because, in his opinion, ne said ut
the time, '1t was merely a measure to
give the authorities greater power in
enforcing the prohibition law
Beaten by z. n. BIOFrm
In 1890 he supported Robinson, the
democratic candidate for governor.
who ran on q resubmission platform
In 1892 he supported Lewelling. who
was a fusion candidate, and he was
largely instrumental in electing Lew
elling to office. Mr.. Overmyer re-
i ceived the democratic nomination for
governor in 1894, but was defeated by
Governor z. n. Morrill,.
Mr. Overmyer did not appear again
IN public life until last spring, when
ne was made the democratic nominee
for attorney general He accepted the
nomination under protest, as did prac-
/ tfca1ly all the nominees Of that con-
vention. The day before the conven-
ton Mr.. Overmyer had not the slight
| est idea that anyone thought Of him
as a candidate. However, there were
strong efforts being made to force ex-
Senator Harris to lead the party as
the nominee for governor. Mr.. Over
myer. together with other democrats,
sent kilograms to Colonel Harris, who
was then in Chicago, saying that the
party demanded his acceptance Of the
nomination. At noon Of the day Of
the convention, after its organization
had been completed, this telegram was
received from Colonel Harris:
II viii accept provided Overmyer
IS nominated for attorney general and
Farrelly for lieutenant governor"
Then Overmyer Accepted.
Mr.. Overmyer Immediately recog-
nizing the exigencies Of the occasion,
allowed the convention to nominate
him as did Mr.. Farrelly.
There were few men in Kansas
more forceful on the stump or before
any sort OF a public audience than
David OYermyer. Possessed with
wonderful physique and an extraor-
dinarfIy resonant voice, with more
dramatic ability than the average
speaker, Mr. Overmyer was a power
in swaying the people to whom he
spoke. He was practically the sole
author Of the platform adopted at the
last democratic convention, and was
made chairman OF the committee on
resolutions. He created considerable
merriment when he stood before the
convention and read the platform
which was unanimously adopted Ar
irving at the word prohibition" he
stopped suddenly, looked at the dele
gates over his glasses and said SOL
emnly, "pro-hfb-i-tiOn,' giving the 'i''
IN the third syllable particularly
strong and prolonged emphasis The |
convention burst into laughter fol- /
lowed by cheers as the full import Of
the sentence was understood.
Mr.. Overmyer took an active part
in the recent campaign In his many !
speeches he spoke almost exclusively |
OF the enforcement OF law, particu-
larry so far as It related to prohibi-
ton. He did not conceal the fact that
he had been and was still an advocate
Of resubmission, but he contended that
so long as the law was upon the stat
ute books IT was the duty Of the state
officials to enforce It
David Overmyer was strong In his
likes and dislikes, but his friends far
outnumbered his enemies. He was
considered frascible at times, but few
persons took exceptions to that say
IL TN--~