Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-07

Clarinda, Feb. 7.-Col. William P.
Hepburn, former member of congress
from this district, died here today after
a long illness. Colonel Hepburn was
near death several weeks ago, but rai-
lied and planned to return to Washing
ton. A relapse ended fatally today.
Twenty Years in Congress.
In his twenty years of service in
congress Mr.. Hepburn won fame for
many activities, but Is remembered
mainly for his work in framing what
is known as the Hepburn law. the law
that prohibits rebates and discrimina-
ton by railroads. It was under his
leadership that some Of the most i'm
portant railroad legislation Of the last
quarter century was worked out and
placed on the statute books.
Like many other big men of his time
in congress, Mr.. Hepburn Is product
Of the early pioneer days of the middle
west. He was born in Ohio in 1888,
but was brought to Iowa when 8 years
old. He got what little schooling he
had in three winters at an academy,
averaging three months a year. Later
he worked in a printing office. When
he decided to study law he went to
Chicago. where for $50 month he ran
the office and worked as janitor for his
teacher. .. ..
zss.1, Had Service in War.
William Peters Hepburn, born Nov.
4, 1888, at Wellsville Columbiana coun-
ty, Ohio; was taken to Iowa (then a
territory in April, 1871; was educated
in the schools of the territory and In q
print ting office; was admitted, 4, to pra's-
tice law n 1s54; served in the Second
Iowa cavalry as capiqtn. ana ior and
liuetenant colonel during the war Of
the rebellion; was delegate from
Iowa to the republican national con-
EventioEs of 1860, 1888 ami 1895, was n
presidential elector at large from the
state Of Iowa IN 1876 and III 1885;
served as solicitor o. the treasury Iur-
ing the administration Of President
BENJAMIN HacrGsnn: was elected to the
FortY-seventh, Forty- eighth, Forty
ninth, Fifty third, Fitty-four.h. Fifty
18th. Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seven.h and
Fifty eighth congresses, and re- -elccte /
to the Fifty-ninth congress, rece,yil 6
26,003 votes, to 14,51S for John Bon
nett, democrat, IND 1,137 for A. F..
THOMPSON, socialist, and served last
in the SiXtieth congress.
Organized Company.
When the civil war broke out Colonel
Hepburn organized a company at Mar
shalltown and became it's captain. This
company went to the front in Febru-
ary, 1862, as part of the Second Iowa
cavalry. He was soon advanced to the
rank Of major and in that position
earned distinction at the battle of Cor
NTH. Not long afterwards he was
placed on the staff Of General Sheridan,
and in December of the same year a
lieutenant colonel and was put in COM :
mand of the Second brigade. cavarly di :
vision, Sixteenth army corps. He was
later transferred to other commands
and served until the close of the war.
In 1876 Colonel Hepburn moved to
Claripda, WI. had since been his
home. except pEa part of the time
when lie res; Tin Washington, D. c.
During the FIlCEson administration he
was solicitor} q the treasury depart
ment, which Il ZION he resigned March
old district. 4 td was an unsuccessful
candidate foli Sted States senator in
1888. ult
Colonel Helt TN was thirteen times
the nominee Q LIS party in the Eighth
Iowa district, = first contest in 1886
being the mostS emarkable. The con-
vention was he'll at Council Bluffs and
Congressman Sapp had received fifty
four votes--three less than a majority
without diminution 3s4 times. After
a three days session the convention
took recess Of four days. It's second
session covered two days and Colonel
Hepburn was nominated on the 3S5th
ballot, receiving fifty-nine votes. His
twelve subsequent nominations were
practically unanimous. Two Of them
were by acclamation.