The Washington herald., 1909-04-24

ended yesterday. Death claimed William
Morris stewart. for thirty years Senator
from Nevada
He passed away in the Georgetown Uni
versity Hospital al the age OF eighty-two.
The Senator's advanced age prevented
his recovery from organic trouble, which
at first was not thought 10 be serious
He was taken 10 the hospital March 81
and was operated upon the day follow
Ing He sank steadily during the week
before his death, which came peacefully.
AAt his deatEbed was his wife, whom he
married about three years ago.
The body is al Lees undertaking es-
Establishment and VIII be shipped 70 Ne
Hada for burial tomorrow.
Senator Stewart had been a familiar
Fsure IN Washington for the better part
q haf a century. and was beloved by
many OF the older residents who knew
his genial personality
Almost al OF the old residents Of Wash
ington. and many Of the new. knew Nr
Stewart. either personally OF by sight
for his tall figure. topped wiki wide
brimmed soft hat. and long white beard.
and his complexion as clear as a youths
were conspicuous on the streets OF the
city
Made Many Notable Speeches.
Senator Stewart made many notable
speeches on the floor OF the Senate in ad-
vOCscy OF silver. and his characterization
Of the decentralization Of silver as the
crime Of IS is marker in political his
tory After his retirement from the Sen
ate he divided his time between Wash
ington, where he had many interests. his
farm in nearby Virginia. and the West.
where, 81 his old home al BuIlfrog. New.
and elsewhere. he had varied mining in
terests and experiences.
William Norris Stewart was born a.
Lyons. y Y. in ~, was given COM
mon school education. lived a while in
Ohio, then was sent 20 Yale 10 study law
and emerged from college al a little over
twenty years Of age with his breast filled
with burning ambition-but not ambition
for the law Instead he had in him a
thirst for gold, for adventure. Thus he
became Forty-niner going TO California
and plunging az once into the scramble
for wealth as found in the placer mines
Of the Golden Gate
Though he did not find much gold he
later moved 20 Nevada and made much
money in mining litigation as counsel for
the COmstock mine owners. This was in
1857 He helped 10 make the Territory q
State and in 1864 became United States
Senator Nevada sent him FIVE times 10
the Senate, lastly in 1Ss9.
Interested in Mining.
Becoming interested in various silver
mines in Nevada his wealth BEGAN 10 pile
Up until estimates OF il ranged from &.
oooooo to Sl0o]0.09o. and in Washington
he became known as the silver King
Of the Senate I'm just plain old feI-
low. but I've got a little money. and Il
intend TO have z good time with IT," he
used 20 tell his friends: and sometimes
be would add: when its gone I'm not
Ike the fellow who cans get more
In $50 after two terms Of SIX years
each in the Senate. he lost much Of his
money and returned 20 Nevada 70 make
another fortune He was then past fifty
years Of age. but this was no handicap 10
him and money again came 10 him. and
IN ISS7 he vas again elected United states
Senator for his third term From that
tine he remained q Senator until 1915. T
when he completed thirty years Of service {
n the upper House
Stewart was until 1893 Republican. /
he knew al about silver-he had mined 1
il and followed II on its course 10 the I
very mint. and liked It nightly: but
about gold he was not so appreciative /
50 for two campaigns he followed the 4
banner Of the silver candidate for the
Presidency, only. in the end, to confess /
that he had been wrong, and return 10 /
his original party.
Wife Killed, He Remarked.
In 1872 he was sent TO The Hague in
connected with the Plus Fund arbitra-
ton. involving the title 10 large amount
OF money claimed from the government OF
Mexico by the Catholic Church in Lower
California. While or this mission. he was
informed that his wife had been killed
at Almeda. Cal, in an automobile acci-
dent. The machine had crashed into 2
telegraph pole and crushed the woman's
skull.
Left z Widower AT the age Of seventy
I'VE, Mr. Stewart was not the man ID
shy al another encounter with Cupid. He
won. in the course Of a few years. the
hand Of Mrs Cone, a beautiful Young
widow Of Georgia. whom he had met in
Washington The marriage ceremony took II
place al Atlanta, Ca. in the parlor OF
the Piedmont Hotel. October IS. 1909.
Senator Stewart belonged 70 q famous
circle Of statesmen which. years ago. N
found its fun and play at John Cham
oerlin's restaurant IN Fifteenth street
Among those were John p. Jones. Don
Cameron, John G. Carlisle. George G. Il
West. and Joseph Blackburn
Years ago, Senator Stewart built
Stewart Castle. in Dupont circle which
was the very first Of the mansions IN the \
west end Of the city. II was long one
of the landmarks OF the National CapitaL
but it was pulled down by Senator Will
IAN A Clark, OF Montana, who intended
70 build a palatial home on the site
This projected Clark mansion was never
built, and to-day nOJhing remains Of the
Stewart home but a bare lot, and the
cellar excavation.
Got Last Writing of Lincoln.
Senator Stewart was one OF the last
men 70 call upon President Lincoln be-
fore he was assassinated
In his "reminiscences, published only
a year ago. Senator Stewart tells OF this
call as follows:
No- DOAvAS ti-e = ciliiS on
which Mr- Lincoln was assassinated was
n New York. where met my old friend
and partner Judge Niles Searles, who.
although a good Democrat, was a Union
man and gentleman Of ability and
sterling worth. He said he wanted 10
meet Mr- Lincoln. and ! invited him 10
60 70 Washington with me that night
and call on the President the next DAY
We had not net for several DAYS. and
instead Of going to bed on the train we
sat uD in the smoking compartment and
talked EeaTly all night