The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-11-15
DEATH OF SENATOR WILSON.

Senator John L. Wilson died sudden
ly at Washington, D. c., last Wednes-
day morning, and was buried at his
old home at Charlottesville, Ind, with
distinguished honors, Sunday. The
news of Senator Wilson's death came
as a great shock to a multitude OF
friends in this safe, where he lived an
active and prominent life for upw ard
of 80 years. His death came at time
when he was preparing to take a we'll
earned rest after an active business
and public career extending over many
years. He had only recently disposed
of his interests in the Seattle Post
Intelligencer and started on trip
around the world, accompanied by his
wife. Up to the time of his retiring to
bed at his hotel early Wednesday
morning he was apparently in his US
ual health and excellent spirits. He
was stricken by the fatal malady
shortly after lying down, and passed
away in a few hours.
John l.. Wilson came to the terri
tory of Washington in 1882 having
been appointed receiver of the United
States land Office at COlfax, serving in
that capacity for four years. The land
office was moved from COlfax to SpO-
kane Falls in 1883 and Mr.. Wilson was
soon one of the most energetic work.
ers in the upbuilding of that young
city. He was a natural politician,
earnest energetic and insistent in his
loyalty and devotion to the republican
party, and became one of its most con-
sistent, active and influential leaders.
He was the first congressman to be
elected after the admission of the
state, was reelected and subsequent
ly chosen senator. This state has new
err had a more energetic and capable
representative in either branch of
congress. He never shirked his duties,
or wasted the time he owed to the
services of the people while in office.
He took great pride in the state Of
his adoption, and worked constantly
and consistently for the best inter-
ests of the commonwealth and the
people thereof. A militant politician,
waging constant warfare for his party,
giving no quatrer and asking none,
keen and courageous In debate, he
naturally made enemies who, at times,
bore him bitter enmity He likewise,
by his sincerity of purpose, his fear
lessness in the advocacy of his prin-
ciples, his kindness of heart his gen.
iality and charming personality, made
host of warm, true and sincere
friends. Even those who opposed him
in life recognize and acknowledge his
high moral character and sterling vir-
tues, and join with his friends in ex-
pressions of sincere regret at his un-
timely taking of.
In the death of Senator Wilson this
state has lost it's foremost citizen and
the people a most worthy champi0A
He gave much of the best Of his life
in advancing the interests of his home
cities, Seattle and Spokane, and the
state at large. Through the press and
on the platform his pen and voice we're
always enlisted on the side Of civic
righteousness, and the moral and ma
terial well-being of his fellowmen. AS
a speaker he had few equals and no
superiors on this coast, and as work.
err in any cause he was indefatigable.
In the following extract from sketch
Of Senator Wilson's life that appeared
in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer the
public will see how earnestly and sue
cessfully he bent his every energy for
the interest of his constituency while
in congress. and it Is given space to
show how valuable to the state of
Washington was the life of this royal
gentleman whom we mourn:
At the first state republican con-
ventiOn, held at Walla Walla just prior
to the formal admission of Washington
to the Union, Senator Wilson received
the nomination for representative in
congress, the new state being entitled
to but one representative. At the first
state election, held on October l, 1889,
he was chosen over Thomas Griffiths,
Democrat by majority of 9,547, re-
ceiving 34,039 votes to the 24,492 Of
Mr.. Griffiths.
Not only was he Washington's first
representative, but for two terms, from
1889 to 1893, he was this states sole
representative in the lower house. On
this election of 1889 he served through
the remainder of the Fifty-first con-
gress. In the campaign of 1890 he re-
ceived the unanimous denomination by
reclamation at the hands of his party
and was reelected by plurality of
1922, the vote being divided this time
between three candidates. Senator
Wilson received 29,153 votes against
22.831 cast for Thomas Carroll, Demo-
crat, and 2,819 cast for Robert Aber-
nethy, PrOhibitionist. Senator Wilson
served with distinction in the Fifty
second congress and then, receiving
another unanimous denomination, was
reelected to the Fifty-third congress.
During his first term of service he was
present when President Harrison
signed the proclamation admitting
Washington to the Union. The others
present on that occasion were Joseph
Robinson, of Olympia, and James G.
Blaine.
While serving in the Fifty-thrid con-
gress he was elected on February l
1895, by the state legislature as United
States senator to supply the seat made
vacant through the failure of the legis-
lature of 1893 to elect. He took his
seat in the senate on February 10,
1895, and served until the expiration of
his term, March 3, 1899, when he was
succeeded by Addison G. Foster, of Ia
coma.
The ten years Senator Wilson served
in congress were an important period
in the development of the young state,
and his service was notable. Serving
in the formative period of the COM
monwealth, for time alone, in the
lower house, the demands upOn him