Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-23

JACKSON, Miss, December 23.-United
States Senator A. ]. McLaurin died sud
denly last night at his home in Brandon.
Death was due to an attack of heart fail
ure and came without the slightest warn
ing at 6:35 O'Clock.
/ When the fatal stroke came upon him
Senator McLaurin was seated in q rock
ing chair in front of the fireplace in his
library. He suddenly fell forward, with
out speaking a word, and life was extinct
when members of his family reached his
side. The swift summons followed with
In a few moments a remark by Senator
McLaurin that he was then feeling better
than he had felt at any time since his
recent severe illness. resulting from an
attack Of ptomaine poisoning. The
funeral arrangements have not yet been
announced.
Gossip as to Successor.
AS to a successor to Senator McLaurin,
1t il pointed out that all appointment
might be Immediately made by Gov Noel.
or selected by the state legislature, which
will convene early in January.
Gov. Noel stated today that he would
not announce for some days as to wheth-
er he would appoint successor to Sen
ator McLaurin or refer the selection to
the legislature. which will convene in
regular session early next month. Should
he make the selection, however, he stat
ed that the names Of Representatives
Byrd. Bowers and Gambler and several
others would be considered in connection
with the appointment.
Former Gov. James X. Vardaman and
Senator.elect John Sharp williams are
mentioned in connection with the selec-
ton of q successor to complete the un-
expired term. Several months ago Mr..
Vardaman announced his candidacy for
the subsequent term.
Humble Start in Life.
A. J. McLaurin was born in Rankin
county. Miss, March %. 1S4S. but when
an infant his parents moved into the ad-
joining county of Smith. where they were
engaged in farming. 1t was there that
ans" as he was Familiarity known, was
reared, and where he followed the pillow
ana assisted In clearing land until the age
OF sixteen years. In 1864 young McLaurin
was sent to Somerville Institute. pri-
vate school, but he remained there only
few months when he enlisted in the
service OF the Confederacy. Being a
mere boy. he never rose above the rank
of private, and while battling with
generals, colonies and other titled ex-
Confederates he proudly hpasted that he
was q humble private in the ranks and
to good advantage. especially with the
younger members of the legislature. At
the close OF the war he returned to college
and graduated in 1868. Returning to his
humble log cabin home on Sunday, the
young college graduate got between the
pillow handles Monday morning at day.
light and assisted his father, who was a
poor man. with seven younger sons, to
repair as far as possible the damage and
losses sustained by the war.
Studied as Lincoln Did.
The labors of the day having been COM
peted and the chores about the barn and
house attended to, young McLaufin
threw pile Of pine knots in the broad
stick and dirt chimney. and by this fit
full blaze dived headlong and earnestly
and with great determination into the
depths of Blackstone, Greenleaf and
other writer's of legal lore, and SO faith
full was he unto himself that within
twelve months he appeared before the
court at Raleigh. his county seat, stood
an examination and was admitted to the
bar.
Three years after, in 1871. young Nc
Laurin was elected district attorney for
the thirteen counties comprising the fifth
judicial district. He filled the office to
the satisfaction of his constituents and
with credit to himself. In March. 1876,
he declined a denomination and moved
to Brandon, the county seat of Rankin
county, in order to be on the railroad
and to enlarge his field of action. Though
very young. he was taken into full part
nership with Ex-Governor Lowry, then
Gen. Lowry. and. in short while the
firm was accounted the strongest in east
Mississippi. A few years later. his part
ner being elected governor, Mr.. McLau-
rim continued alone in the practice of
his profession, during which he took one
side or the other in many murder cases.
Seven Brothers in Politics.
Mr.. McLaurin always found time to de-
vote considerable attention to politics,
and was very successful in his aspira-
tons. In 1870 he was elected represent
alive from Rankin county. In 1888 he
was an elector for the state at large to
the st. Louis convention. and in 1890
represented his county in the constitu-
tional convention, being accredited the
champion OF the elective Judiciary
measure which, however in spite OF his
most earnest endeavor, failed to become
q law.
Early in life Mr.. McLaurin married a
Miss Ranch. He had seven brothers all
OF whom were politicians and successful
In their aspirations for of1ice. At one
time, In 1890 three of them, Ans, Albert
and Gee were members of the constitu-
tional convention, Sylvester was district
attorney Walter was railroad commits
siOner. while Wallace had been President
Clevelan1s receiver of public, moneys In
Washington. and Sydney was clerk Of the
railroad commission
February Z 1904. McI.aurin WAS eIecf ed