The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-21

the santa Ee halfway, VINO DleQ III
Kansas City Sunday Morning.
Last Tuesday afternoon he became Ill
with an attack of acute indigestion
while in Kansas City on business trip
For the next two days he continued tc
improve and his condition was not con-
sidercd serious Saturday. Within few
minutes of his death. Mr.. Hamilton
talked with those gathered at his bed
side, although he had been sinking
steadily for some time.
John Hamilton. his son. went to Kan
sas City last week when he learned of
his fathers illness, as did his mother
and Mr.. and Mrs. Is -iah Hale. John
Hamilton came home Saturday after
noon. believing that his father was out
Of danger. The others were at his bed
side when he died.
Well known in Politics.
Mr.. Ha hilton was born in Pittsburg.
Pennsylvania. July IS, 1851. He received
his education in Knox college, Gales
burg, ILL.,, aud the St. Louis Bar school.
In 1876 he was admitted to the bar and
for many years practiced law at Fort
Madison, Ia While an attorney in Fort
Madison. Mr.. Hamilton was connected
with the Legal department of the Chi
cago| Burlington & Quincy railroad.
He was prominent in Fort Madison and
in Iowa politics. For three terms he
was a member of the Iowa legislature
and was later city attorney and mayor
of Fort Madison and was trustee for the
state in the management OF the Iowa
hospitals for the insane. He once made
the race for congress on the Democratic
ticket, coming within a few hundred
votes of election in Republican dis
trict
When the Santa Fe first came
through Fort Madison, Mr.. Hamilton
was the mayor of that city. He was
a strong booster for Fort Madison
and secured the Santa Fe shops for
that city, despite the fact that several
other cities in Missouri and Illinois
wanted that coveted honor.
George r. Peck. one Of the best
known lawyers OF america, was at
the head of the Santa Fe law depart
ment at that time He Immediately
recognized Hamilton's ability and the
Iowa in 1898.
To Topeka in 1898.
In the same year a complete reor-
ganization of the claim department
took place and the Office Of claims at
torney was created. Mr.. Hamilton
took charge Of that work and re-
moved to topeka. He lived here ever
since that time and was prominent in
local and state affairs.
lie speaker ard made addresses in all
parts Of the country. He was recently
invited to participate in the Iowa Old
Settlers meeting held in Fort Madi-
son. making the principal address
along with Congressman Hepburn. In
the Santa Fe harmony campaigns, Mr.
Hamilton proved a popular speaker
and his talks were appreciated in ev-
cry town and city.
Originated Safety First.
AS the advocate of Safety First.
Mr.. Hamilton was perhaps best known
With the safety department of the
system, he created the "Get the Safet,
Habit" movement to perfection. He
brought that campaign out Of its in.
fancy until now it is an important fac
tor in the management Of the road.
Mr.. Hamilton was member o.
try club. the Topeka club, the Elk,
club and the Phi Delta Theta fratern
ity. national college Greek lette,
order. He is survived by his wife ant
two sons, Hale Hamilton, of New York
the we'll known actor. and John Ham
flton. OF Topeka; two sisters and tw,
brothers. Mrs. Sarah Cook, Of Omaha
Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison, Of Columbus
w. S. Hamilton, OF Fort Madison, J. M
Hamilton, Of Salt Lake City, and Isaiah
Hale. half brother.
The santa Fe sent a private car t,
Kansas City Sunday afternoon to brin,
Mr.. Hamilton's body to Topeka. /
was taken to the family home, Al
Topeka avenue.
Funeral Tuesday.
The funeral " Mr.. Hamilton will
be held from the residence, AIS To
pelka avenue, Tuesday afternoon at
O'Clock. Services will also be held un
der the auspices OF the Masonic lodg,
at Fort Madison, where his brother
w. s. Hamilton. II Z member. ]. d
n. Hamilton Joined the Masonic fra