Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-08
COL. HEPBURN, A
FORMER MEMBER
CONGRESS, DEAD

Clarinda, Mo-, Feb. 7.-Colonel William
P. Hepburn, former member of Congress
from this district, died today after a long
illness.
Col. William P. Hepburn, although %
years in Congress, became best known
throughout the country during the Roose-
welt administration. 1t was he who franz
ed what later was called the Hepburn
law. prohibiting rebates and discrimina-
ton by railroads. AS chairman OF the
House committee on interstate and 1or-
eign commerce in the first session OF the
59th Congress he was the author OF three
acts out of five which the then fres.-
dent Roosevelt afterward declared would
cause that Congress to be memorable IN
history because of its constructive iegis-
lation. Of the FIVE acts, four came from
Col. Hepburn's committee and three Oh
them-the Hepburn law, the pure food act
and the public health act-were framed
by Col. Hepburn himself.
Mr.. Hepburn represented the stn iowa
district. He also was an efficient soidler
and a lawyer of high reputation. ne
was a product of the early pioneer Gays
in Iowa and got what little schooling ne
had in three winters at an academy near
Iowa CITY. He was born in Columblana
county, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1875. removing I"
Iowa City where his mother ana MS s'ep-
father took up their residence on farm,
when he was eight years OF age. Aiter
a brief experience in the schools the
community afforded he got employment
in a printing office, where he worked for
he road law Iowa
City and Chicago. being admitted to the
Illinois bar in 1854 He returned to Iowa
in 1856, married Miss Melvina A. Morse
man of Iowa City and settled at Mar
shalltown.
When the Civil War broke out Col.
Hepburn organized a company and
became its captain. This company
went to the front in February, 1862,
as part of the Second Iowa Cavalry.
He vas soon advanced to the rank Of
major and in that position earned dis
tinction at the battle of Corinth. Not
long afterwards he was placed on the
staff Of General Sheridan, and in De-
cember of the same year became a
lieutenant colonel and was put in
command of the Second Brigade. Cav
airy Division, 10Th Army Corps. He
was later transferred to other COM
mands and served until the close Of
the war
In 1876, Col. Hepburn moved to
Clarinda, Ia, which had since been
his home. except for part Of the
time when he had resided in Wash
ington. D. c. He was elected to Con-
$u-;o
thereafter. During the Harrison ad-
ministration he was solicitor OF the
treasury department. which position
he resigned March 1, 1898, to again
enter Congress for his old district.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for
United States Senator in 1883.
Col. Hepburn was 10 times the
nominee Of his party in the Eighth
Iowa District, his first contest in 1881
being the most remarkable. The con-
vention was held at Council Bluffs and
Congressman Sapp had received "a
yotes-three less than a majority
without diminution 3s4 times After
a three days session the convention
took a recess of four days. Its second
session covered two days and Col.
Hepburn was nominated on the 3S5th
ballot, receiving So votes. His II SUD-
seauent nominations were practically
unanimous Two of them we're By ac-
clamation During his career in Con-
gress which ended March l. 1909. Col,
Hepburn supported every measure
that became law looking to the con-
troll of common carriers. Many OF these
bills were introduced by him.