Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-09-22
OUR CONGRESSMAN.

the brilliant and hand working young
congressman from this, the seventh,
district, had passed into the great be
yond that morning. The shock was
a severe one, for the reason that Mr.
Madison was in the prime of his
manhood, and was supposed to be en-
loying robust health. He had but a
few days ago returned to his home
IN Dodge City, having stopped off at
various places on his way home from
Washington, and was preparing to &C,
company President Taft on his trip
through this state next week, af-
ter which he was going to take a
much needed rest. The death occur
red while he and Mrs. Madison were
at breakfast, and came without a mo-
ment's warming. He was seen to put
his hand to his head, and almost at
the same instant expired, death re-
Sulting from heart disease. Mr.. Madi-
sons two Youngest daughters were
in Washington, attending school, an
other daughter Mrs. Arthur SOule,
and a son, reside in Dodge City. His
home town, his district and state,
are wrapped in gloom, and hundreds
Of messages have been received from
senators and cangraSsmen and others
high in the official life of our
country, attesting the high
Standing he had with the great men
of the nation, President Taft and
Speaker Clark both expressing them
selves as deeply grieved. The Presi-
dent on hearing of the death, sad,
Il was deeply panied to learn at De-
tToit, of the death of Judge Madison.
Allow me to express to you my SYM
pathy in your loss Speaker Clark,
on hearing of the death Of Judge Mad
ison, said have for some years ne
garded Judge Madison as one of the
ablest men in the house. He was
brave, capable, industrious, incorrup-
tible and patriotic. His death is a
great public loss Others prominent
i'm the affairs of the nation have ex-
pressed themselves likewise.
Edmond H. Madison was distinctly
a self-made man. He was the son
of a minister, born in Plymouth, Hill
nOis, December Is, 1865, so was there
fore, Just short of 46 years of age,
He was educated in the common
schools, and taught at the age Of
lis.
In 1885, when 20 yearS of age,
Judge Madison moved to Wichita and
studied law with G. c. W. Jones. He
was later admitted to practice in 1SS'
But in 1887 Judge Madison went to
Fond county. He had a claim south
of Dodge City. His struggle is well
remembered by Older residents Of
Ford county. He taught school, farm
ed, meantime keeping up his law
studies. He was industrious, but he
had hard time.
IN 1888, the year of his admission
to the law, he was elected county
attorney of Ford county. He served
two terms, retiring in 1893, In 1885,
he was the republican candidate fol
state senator from the Thirty
seventh district but was defeated.
On January l, 1900, Governor E. H
Stanley named Judge Madison judge
of the Thirtyfirst district, and hi
held this position up to the time ht
began his campaign for congress, IL
September 1906. He was elected II
succeed Victor MuTdock, who in tuTt
had succeeded Chester l. Long, Mr.
Murdock entering the new Eight
district. Judge Madison had a yer.
successful campaign and was reelect
ed in 1908 and 1910.
Judge Madison was twice married
His first wife died many years age
four children having been born t
them. He later married, on Decen
} Der II, 1900, Miss Lou Vance Of Oh
lahoma City.
Representative Madison was on
: of the striking figures in the strenr
Gus fight over the rules in the las
= congress which resulted In the Gu
tailment of the speaker s powers an
radical changes in the code goyernir
the house.
Madison and other republicans
Congress waged and won the battl
: for the reorganization Of hOus
!. methods
Madison vigorously defended Pres
E dent Roosevelt from attack in COZ
uection with the secret service a
propriations controversy sever
: years ago and Roosevelt frequent
expressed his gratitude for his 10y
/; support.