The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-01-29
SHELBY NJ. CULLOM
DIED YESTERDAY
IN WASHINGTON
Former Illinois Senator in Pub
lie Life for so Years
LINCOLN'S PERSONAL FRIEND
Wished to Live Long Enough to See
Memorial to Martyred President
Completed


ator Shelby NJ. Cullom of Illinois
died here yesterday, after an illness
of more than week. during which
he lowered between life and death.
His last words were wish that he
might have lived to see the complet-
ion OF the national memorial to Abra
ham Lincoln, who was his personal
friend
Since his retirement from the Sen
ate last March Mr.. Cullom had been
esident commissioner of the com
mission created by Congress to build
the S2,000000 Lincoln memorial A
little more than a week ago he was
taken III with grip. His advanced
age put his recovery beyond hope,
but his wonderful vitality postponed
the end He was SO, and had n rec
ord of so years OF continuous public
service.
1t was decided to have brief fun
eral service at the Cullom home on
Massachusetts avenue at 10 o'clock
this morning and take the body to
Springfield, H., on a train leaving at
11.45 a. m, where the former sena-
tors first and second wives and all
his children are buried.
The Senate adjourned for the day,
as a mark of respect to the memory
of the former senator. when his
death was announced by Senator
Sherman.
1t is good to remember that when
Senator Cullom retired from Con-
gress, having been 30 years senator
frcm Illinois. the government which
he had served so we'll did not forget
and neglect him. lie left the Senate
March 10 last. and was then in iail-
ing health; there were no members
OF his family left in the state which
he had served for so long. His
plight was not enviable. The fine
old gentleman faced the prospect Of
going into the world with nothing to
turn to. when Senator w. Murray
Crane took hold of the matter Al
ter consulting with republicans ana
democrats In both branches of Con
gress. Mr.. Crane prepared n bill to
make place for the friend of Abra-
ham Lincoln in connection with the
Lincoln memorial commission. 1t
was provided that the $4,000 Office so
created should expire when Mr. Cul-
lon ceased to ill II. Not until the
action had been taken did Uncle
Shelby know what was on foot The
democrats in both branches were
eager to lend n hand in providing for
one who had served his country long
and we'll and was going out of the
Senate poor man.
Shelby NJ. Cullom's life was inter
woven with the history of his state
and nation during all his manhood
years. He was born in Wayne coun-
ty, Ky. November %. 1929; went to
Springfield in the fall of 1853 to
study law and that was his home
thereafter; Immediately upon receiv.
ing license to practice was elected
city attorney; continued to practice
law until he took his seat in the
House OF Representatives in 1865.
was elected a member of the House
OF Representatives of the Illinois Leg
islature in 1856, 1860. 1872 and 1874,
and was elected speaker in 1861 and
in 1873: was elected a representative
from Illinois in the 39th. 10th and
4lst Congresses. serving from De-
cembe- 4, 1865. to March 3. 1871:
was elected governor of Illinois in
1876 and succeeded himself in 1880,
serving from January s. 1877. until
February 5. 1883. when he resigned
having been elected to the United
States Senate TO succeed David
Davis. independent democrat: took
his seat December 1883. aud was
reelected thereafter until age led to
his retirement last spring.