The Columbus journal., 1907-01-30

All Nebraska today is sad over the
death Of Wm. NJ. Robertson, of Norfolk,
which occurred last Tuesday week, al
his home. He was a pioneer in our
state. a leading jurist. helped to frame
our presen; state constitution, and wild. :
ly known in other states rs a lawyer OF
more than ordinary ability. The Albi' n
News ia speaking of his worth as a piO-
neer citizen ana man of honor says:
''WIliianl NJ. Robertson is dead, He sue
cumbed at o'clock Tuesday morning at
his home in Norfolk. Attorney OF state
wide reputation, twice prominent can
dida,e for the republican nomination for
governor and in many other ways dis
tinguished member of the party, promi-
nently mentioned in connection with the
forthcoming appointment OF district
judge in the Ninth judicial district, past
exalted ruler in NOIfOlk lodge No. 653.
Benevolent and Protective order of Eiks,
and up TO the time of his death president
of the Norfolk Commercial club. w. NJ.
Robertson closed an active public career
at the age of fifty eight years. For the
past couple of weeks Mr.. Robertson had
been i'll with an attack of scierosis of the
liver, an aiiment from which he has been
q suffeler for years. Not until few
days ago, however. did bis condition be-
70 hi, %, ,,IlS,
and fri, nds. Late Saturday night DIR.
SOmers of Omaha was called in consul
tatiOn over the case and he confirmed
the statement of DIR. Salter that there
was practically no hope for recovery.
Mr.. Robertson is survived by a wife, One
son, 8. d. Robertson. and daughter,
MB. Williams Of New YORK. Mr.. Robert
son enjoyed the respect and esteem OF
the legal profession of the state and he
was man with many friends, not only
in Norfolk but in all parts cf Nebraska.
He was often called upon to speak Aor
various occasions. A year age he deliv-
cred an address at Albion at the Com
mercial club banquet. Three Years ago
last fall he delivered an address at the
Neigh carnival. II. delivered the funer-
al Grafton over the remains of tie late
Otto Tappert and on The second day Of
last month he delivered the address on
the occasion of tine annual memorial
services Of the Elks in this city. His
closing paragraph in that address is sig
nificant at this time He closed the.
speech-and it was his last public utter
ance-with these words: We little know
what the future has in store for us We
can not lift the veil and get glimpse of
the future. but let us press on doing the
best We can, SD far rs hfe's duties are
concerned, with the hope that the world
will be better and not worse on account
of our having lived in it, Mr. Robertson
has been an active republican all his life,
and has held number of prominent
Offices. lie was member Of the Ne
braska constitutional al convention OF 1875,
which drafted the present state constitu-
tion. In 1887 he was appointed by Gov
Thayer as commissioner to represen,
Nebraska at the centennial of the adop-
tiOn of the constitution of the United
States held at Philadelphia. was dele
gate to the republican national couven-
tion in 1888 to 1892. He was appointed
register of the United States land office
ut Neigh by President Harrison and
served three years, and has served one
term AS mayor Of Norfolk. He was
member Of the G. A. X, the X H,
member and past exalted ruler Of the
B. r. .. E.