The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-06-15
WICKLIFFE MEETS
TRAGIC DEATH AT WASHINGTON

l tors, on May 1, 1874, while his par
J ents were on visit to relatives but
he spent his bOyhood in West Felic
: lana parish at the family home near
ST. Francisville, alone with his faith
err, attending the public school of the
town. Later he entered Center Col
lege, at Danyille, Kentucky, gradual
Il ing with the B. S. degree in 1895.
He took up the study of law, and
!, graduated from the Tulane law de-
partment in 1897, opening his office
in St. Francisville, where he soon
j took a forceful position at the local
p bar, displaying the brilliant ability
that gave promise of a notable ca
reer.
i His first public recognition was his
election to represent his. parish in
j the constitutional convention of 1898.
i He was the youngest member of the
! body. Immediately upon the adjourn
ment of the convention, he enlist
ed as a private in Co. E, First Lou
fsfana Regiment, and served through
Gut the war with Spain, until the
regiment was mustered out.
! Returning to St. Francisville, he re-
sumed the practice of law, and in
1900 was elected district attorney,
serving four years. In 1908, he be-
came a candidate for Congress in
the Sixth District, defeating Congress
man George K. Favrot in one of the
most holly contested primaries ever
held in the district. 1t was the first
/ primary held under the new prima-
i ry laW,and his majority was 1922. He
was reelected to the Sixtysccond
Congress, and there seemed to be
no doubt that he would have been re-
elected this year. as his notable SER
vices to his constituency made that
result the only logical one, barring
death, which has overtaken him just
as the future promised so much.
His latest achievement was the Sc
curing of financial aid to the flood
ed districts and especially to Bayou
Sara, and during his visit here last
!, week, he was up to a late hour,
Thursday night, comforting with To-
cal people upon how he could best
work for aid for the stricken town.
At Washington, he was rapidly COM
ing to the front and making a rec
ORD for himself, his district and his
state Of fine oratorical powers. hav-
ing a well-stored, keenly analytical
and logical mind, untring energy and
1ndomitable industry combined with
a most pleasing personality, he had
aid the traits and gifts that 20 to.
wards the making of leader among
men.
Alas, there can now be no VIC
lence shown his confidence and his
plans by saying that it was his am
bltion to become some day the gov.
ernor Of Louisiana. There is rea-
son to believe that he would have at
tanned this end He came of a fami.
ly of governors. His grandfather,
Charles Wickliffe, and his father Rob
ert c. Wickliffe were governors of
Kentucky and Louisiana respectively
during the same period of time, 1851
to 1860. Former governors Cripps
and Beckham of Kentucky were cous-
ms.
1t was at the wedding of the Lat
ter, that as groomsman he met Miss
Mary Wallace, a cousin, who became
his first wife in 1903. After a short
period Of happy welded life, she died
and lies buried in Grace Churchyard.
In st. Francisville, ALL remember her
as a noble and lovely young woman.
Later, he married Miss Lydia Wick
life Cooke, of Louisville, KY, his
mothers namesake and cousin. She
has been brilliantly helpmate to
her gifted husband in his aims and
ambitions, besides being his congen-
iai comrade and devoted wife. Fill
ing a prominent place in Washington
society, she too has reflected lusterI
upon the district, as we'll as being
unfailingly helpful and interested in