Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-07-22
v. D. WASHbURN
IS near Death
Physical Condition Now So
Serious Doctors Have
Given up Hope
Taken III on Return From
Europe and Rushed Home
On Special Train

< . OLlO, jury IA.-lu d ldCc
with death, William D. Washburn,
former United States senator from
Minnesota and a member Of the well
known Washburn family, is being
rushed to his home in Minneapolis a.
board a special train on the 500 line,
the road he built in his younger days.
The special was due to arrive in Min
neapolis today. Physicians aboard
the train have given up hope, but are
trying to prolong life until the former
| senator reaches home.
News Of the critical condition Of
the former senator was first brought
to Minneapolis Saturday in a telegram
to his son, w. D. Washburn, Jr., a
member of the state legislature. The
telegram was filed at Sault Ste. Marie
and stated that Mr.. Washburn was dy-
ing and was being hurried home. The
message was sent by Mrs. Washburn
and Edwin C. Washburn, a son of the
former senator and stated that in the
opinion of the attending physicians
death was a matter Of but a few hours.
r. First Word Of Serious Condition.
Though immediate friends OF MIR.
Washburn knew that he was in poor
health and that a European tour he
had been making was cut short be-
cause of his illness, the telegram to
his son yesterday was the first init.
nation that his condition was serious.
The family home at Fair Oaks had
been closed for several months. Hasty
preparations were made last night for
opening it.
Up to the time that he left for Eu-
rope in February, MI. Washburn,
though 81 years old, had taken an
active interest in his business and
a at his Office daily. The trip a.
broad was undertaken because Mrs.
Washburn had been in poor health.
Edwin C. Washburn, a son, accompen-
led the couple.
Went Abroad for Wife's Health.
The Washburns were in Rome for
several weeks and Mrs. Washburn's
health improved steadily. Five weeks
ago they left for Carlsbad, Germany,
and it was there that Senator Wash
burn began to show signs of illness.
Upon the advice of a physician it was
decided to forego the remainder Of
the trip and hurry home by the short
est route possible.
The parity reached Quebec on the
return trip Tuesday and started home.
En- route to Sault Ste. Marie Senator
Washburn suffered a sudden relapse
and his condition became alarming.
Physicians diagnosed his illness simp-
ly as general debility.
w. D. Washburn, Jr., left for Prem
tice, Wis, Saturday to meet the spec
ial train. Stanley Washburn, another
son, is in Canada and Cadwallader
Washburn, another son, famous as IN
etching artist, is in Mexico. Tele-
grams were sent to both asking them
to hurry to Minneapolis.
Is Eighty.one Years Old.
William Drew Washburn was 81
year old January IA last. He has
been a resident of Minnesota since
1856, when he first came to the state
as a young lawyer, just graduated
from Bowdoin college and having
studied law for two years in the Office
of his brother Israel.
He first entered politics in 1858, two
years after he came to the state, be.
ing elected to the state legislature
and serving one term. He was ap-
pointed surveyor general OF Minnesota
by President Lincoln in 1861, in which
position he served four years. When
he retired he engaged in the lumber
ing business, establishing Of the
first large mills near Ancka in 1870,
and did much for the development Of
the lumber trade In Minnesota. In
1870 he was returned to the state leg