The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-08-02
SENATOR PETTUS
NO MORE
EMINENT ALBANIAN PASSES
AWAY AT HOT SPRINGS.
History OF His Life, And How He
Became Senator.

HOT SPRINGS, n. c., July ~
Senator Edmund w. Pettus of Ala
bama, died here tonight at 10 o'clock
Senator Pettus became unconscious
while at the breakfast table Thurs
day morning and never regained con-
seriousness. His case was pronounced
hopeless from the outset by physi-
clans.
Two years ago in Washington Sen
ator Pettus was seized with a sinking
spell, but soon recovered and has
since, until the attack which caused
his death, enjoyed his usual good
health. He was Sc years old on the
9Th of the present month.
United States Senator Edmund
Winston Pettus was born in Lime
stone county, Alabama, July 6, 1921
He was the son of John and Alice T..
(Winston) Pettus of Hanover county,
Virginia.
He finished his education in Clinton
College, Smith county, Tennessee;
was admitted to the bar in 1912 and
practiced in Gainesville, Ala, from
1912 to 1874. On June q, 1874, he
married Miss Mary S. Chapman.
He was solicitor for the seventh
circuit of Alabama from 1914 to 1849;
served in the Mexican war as a lieu
tenant; in 1849 joined party OF gold
seekers to California and, on his re-
turn in 1851, resumed his practice OF
law He was judge of the seventh
Alabama circuit from 1855 to 1858; in
1861 Joined the Confederate army as
major of the Twenty-sixth Alabama
infantry. He greatly distinguished
himself throughout the war, being
promoted successfully from major to
brigadier-general. He surrendered
with Johnston in North Carolina.
At the close of the war, 1865, he
resumed his law practice; was del
egate to the democratic national con-
ventions of 1S72-76-S0-S4-SS-92 and SO,
serving each time as chairman OF the
Alabama delegation; was nominated
FOR United States Senator by the dem
ocratic caucus of the general assem-
bly, Nov Is, 1896, by vote of 81 to
26. His opponents were Gov. Oates,
representative Bankhead and Senator
Pugh. He was elected for the term
beginning March d. 1897 and expiring
March 3. 1908. He served on the
judiciary committee and on the COM
nittees on military affairs, railroads,
privileges, elections and Indian depre-
lations.
Senator Pettus' election to the Uni
ed States senate at the advanced age
# rs came about in an amusing man.
Ter: Shortly before he entered the
ace for the senate it was his desire to
ecome federal judge. He approached
United States Senator Pugh from Ala
anna and made known to him his
SEPARATION. Senator Pugh tried to
iscourage Mr.. Pettus by saying,
Why, you are too old for the judge
hip; cannot support you," Il may
e too old for the judgeship." Mr..
'ettus retorted, "but l am not too old
D become United States senator"
With the persistence and marked
bility which had characterized every
tep in Senator Pettus' long life, he
Inferred the race for United States
enator and Senator Pugh went down
/ defeat because of his failure to sup
ort Gen. Pettus for the federal Judge |
hip. II
The funeral services will take place
/ Selma, Ala, at 5 p. m. Tuesday.
Ransdel of the Uni
I'd States senate has been endeavor-
lg today to communicate with all
lose who have been designated. 1t a
probable that some will not receive d
otification in time Ito go to Hot
prings, but all will be in Selma in
me to attend the funeral. g