The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-13
Expires in Washington.
Famous Confederate Veteran
Long HOnOred by Fellows.
80 YEARS IN CONGRESS- HALLS
Statesman, When Defeated in
1904, Given Post by L. r.
Thrilling Incidents in Political
Career Recalled.

| Washington, Dec IA Francis
Marion Cockrell, former United States
senator from Missouri, died here to-
day.
As mark of respect. the senate ad-
journed today to noon Thursday.
Francis Marion Cockrell served the
state of Missouri in the United States
senate for thirty years. When Roose-
welt carried Missouri in 1904 and the
state swung into the Republican col
umn, the senator was succeeded by
Major William Warner, but the new
president promptly appointed Cockrell
a member of the interstate commerce
commission.
Senator Cockrell was born in John
son county, Missouri, October 1, 1894
He was graduated at Chapel Hill COL
! lege, Lafayette county, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1855. He opened
a law office in Warrensburg.
Birth of CockreIPs Brigade.
| When the Civil war was started he
enlisted in the Confederate army and
rose from the rank of captain to brig
adler general. "CockreH brigade
was one of the most active Confeder-
ate troops in the war. Its commander
Hatchie, and when the Confederate
army was driven back to VickSburg,
the Cockre1l command took an impor-.
tant part in the defenSeS of the city.
during the war but did not quit the
battlefield until he was captured on
the day Lee surrendered.
After the war Senator Cockrell re-
Sumed the practice of law at his old
home. He was elected senator in 1875
and served until 1905. During the
time he was in the senate, he was
chairman of the committee on en-
crossed bills and members of the com
mittees on appropriations military af-
fairs, rules and the select committee
on industrial expositions
1nfirmities of old age resulting in
serious illness during the last two
weeks. caused death.
His Hat Thrown High.
The throwing of his broad brimmed
hat to the ceiling of representative
hall at Jefferson City made General
Cockrell United States senator, accord
ing to story related among older Mis-
sourians. The state had been stirred
by a sharply drawn contest for gov
ernOr. In the state convention of l.
600 delegates, Charles H. Hardin had
been nominated by only one-half of
one vote. Every one expected to see a
split in the party. When the result of
the balloting was announced the tall
figure of Cockrell, the defeated candi-
date, was seen walking up the aisle.
AS the candidate mounted. the plat
form, silence fell over the gathering.
Then Cockrells voice rang out.
NO man will more loyalty support
the nominee of this convention than
Francis -Cockrell,'' he shouted mo
man will throw his hat higher for
Charles Hardin than I will,' and he
sent his broad brimmed headgear
whirling to the ceiling.
Convention Is Thrilled.
The convention burst into wild ap-
plause and scores of the delegates
rushed forward to grasp the defeated
Cockren by the hand. The next spring
CockreI announced himself candi-
date for United States senator and he
got the unanimous vote of his party
During the thirty years following he
was accorded the same honor every
time Missouri Democrats had chance
to vote. The senatorship was Cock
rell'S first and only elective political Of !
flee. No senator from Missouri sur
passed his record in length of years |
and none equaied it save Thomas H. |
Benton In March. 1911, Mr.. Cock !
re1 was appointed United States com /
missioner to adjust the boundary be- !
tween Texas and New Mexico.