The Washington herald., 1913-04-13
J. B. HENDERSON
CALLED BY Death
Former United States Senator
Dies in Sanatorium After
Two Weeks Illness.
HAD HISTORICAL CAREER
Framed Thirteenth Amendment and
Voted Against Impeachment Of
President Johnson.

Former United States Senator John b..
Henderson, aged eighty-seven. of Mis-
souri,, Trainer of the thirteenth amend
ment to the Constitution. abolishng
slavery. and who cast the deciding vote
| acquitting President Andrew Johnson of
the impeachment charges against him,
died last night at $50 O'Clock at the
Washington Sanatorium, Takoma Park.
of a complication of diseases arising
from kidney trouble With Mr.. Hender-
son at the time of his death were Mrs.
Henderson and their son. John B.
Henderson. jr.
Mr. Henderson had been ill for two
weeks. Since his removal to the Wash
ington Sanatorium. last Monday. ply
sicians had lost hope of his recovery.
Statesman of Old school.
attacked with kidney trouble and had
since that time been unable to engage
in any form of public activity. He was,
however, seen frequently In Washington
streets, where his Ied-wheeled and
steel-tired carriage. which he refused to
forsake for an automobile, had become
famous.
Since his election to the Senate, Of
which he was a member from 1852 to
" in the Capital, although for some
years subsequent to his terms as Sena-
tor he continued the practice OF law in
Missouri.
One of the most prominent of old-time
statesmen. Mr.. Henderson was during
most of his life in the public eye. He
was for fifteen years the foremost bar
rster in Missouri, his adopted State.
AS a LAWYER Mr.. Henderson was asso-
of no fQ
cases in the history of Missouri, among
them being that of the notorious 'whis-
ky ring" for the prosecution of which
he was especially appointed.
Twice Mr. Henderson refused proffers
of Cabinet portfolios. He was active
politically during most of his life, and
had been one of the leaders of the Re
publican party.
An authority on international law.
Mr.. Henderson wrote many stories and
pamphlets on this subject. as well as on
history.
Mr.. Henderson was widely known in
Missouri, where he had been nicknamed
Uncle John
Served in Legislature.
John Brooks Henderson was born in
Pittsylvania County, Va, November Is,
1896 During his youth Mr.. Henderson
was taken Dy MS pdLcHlS, odiucS anu
Mary Dawson Henderson, to Missouri,
where he received an academic educa-
ton.
Subsequent to his graduation from the
University of Missouri, Mr.. Henderson
was admitted to the bar of his State, in
1S4s, and practced his profession when
not engaged in the public service.
Elected to the Missouri Legislature
in 1S4S, Mr.. Henderson served one term.
Second and third terms were served by
Mr.. Henderson in 1856 and 1857. During
the former year he was chosen Presi-
denxial elector. He was returned to the
electoral college in 1860, following the
election of Abraham Lincoln.
AS a member Of the Missouri conven-
ton to determine the question of seces-
sion. Mr.. Henderson worked in the in
terest of the Union from 1861 to 1853.
While a member Of the secession con-
vention, Mr.. Henderson was chosen to
fill an unexpired term in the United
States Senate, at the close Of which he
was reelected for the six-year term
ending in 1862 In order to act as special
commissioner to make peace with Indian
tribes Of the West, Mr.. Henderson alb
scented himself from the Senate during
part Of 1861
In 1868 Mr. Henderson was married to
Miss Mary N. Foote.
As the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor, Mr. Henderson was defeated In
1872 Three years later he was appointed
special United States attorney In order
that he might prosecute the notorious
whisky ring at st. Louis.
/ Mr.. Henderson practiced law from this
time until 1884. when he presided over the
Republican national convention in Chi
lcago.
His service as a member of the Pan
American Congress in 1889 and 1880. was
followed in two years by his election by
Congress to a regency in. the Smith
sonian Institution. At the expiration Of
his term as regent Mr.. Henderson was re-
elected, and continued his service until
1898