The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-05
MAI. WARNER DIES
Former q. s. Senator From
Missouri Dead at X. c.
Illness Dates From Activities
During G.. A. r. Reunion.

Kansas City, Oct. after a linger-
ing illness former United States Sena-
tor William Warner died at his home
here last night.
Major Warner had been i'll for sew
eral weeks. his last sickness being at
tributed by his friends to his activities
in connection with the entertainment
of the fiftieth annual reunion of the
Grand Army of the Republic. When
his condition became critical, three
weeks ago. a TRANSMISSION of blood from
his son, was resorted to in the nope
I of increasing his strength, but the i'm
! provement was only temporary. Death
was ascribed by physicians to arterio
sclerosis.
Surviving the former senator are his
wife and two children, John B. War
ner, of Kansas City, and Mrs. Jerome
WILDER, of Washington, who were at
his bedside when the end came.
One of Few Republicans From Mo.
Maj. William Warner was one of
the few Republicans who have repre-
scented the state of Missouri in the
United States senate. Altho there only
one term, the climax of his public
career, he made such record that
, members of his party generally in
Missouri deeply regretted the fact that
ill-health prevented him from again
making the race in 1911.
Major Warner was born in Lafay-
cite county, Wisconsin, on June H.
1889, and when years old became an
orphan. From then on he practically
made his own way in life, first as a
boy culling the mine heaps of south
ern Wisconsin, then as a driver of a
pump horse at one of the mines near
his home, and, finally, years later, as
an attorney and public official. He
educated himself, aided by a friendly
IL, -
took him from the mines and put him
to work over a counter. He went to
| school two years, after having saved
his money for five years, and became
teacher, continuing his studies at
| night. He went, soon after, to the
mitted to the Wisconsin bar when 81
Under Grant in Civil War.
Then came the Civil war and he
became a lieutenant almost at it's out
! break in the Thirty-third Wisconsin
volunteer infantry. He served with
| his regiment under Grant in the Ten
nessee and Mississippi campaigns that
eliminated in the capture of Vicks-
/ burg on July 4, 1863. He was com
missioned captain that year and final
ly major of the Forty-fourth Wiscon-
sin infantry.
Major Warner started his law prac-
tlce in Kansas City soon after the
war. IN 1901 ne was elected city at
torney. his first public office. and a
year later as circuit attorney.
He became mayor of the city in
\ 1870, the only man elected on the Re-
publican ticket.
President Arthur appointed him
United States district attorney for the
western district of Missouri in 1882
Two years later he was elected to con
gress, and he hera1ded his advent into
Washington by introducing thirteen
bills the first session. All were passed
Almost Wins Governorship.
Missouri was strongly Democratic
then, but in 1892 he almost succeed ed
in being elected governor. His next
office was United States attorney
again under an appointment by Presi-
dent Mckinley in 1898. That office
he held until his election as senator
in 1905.
Major Warner was married in 1856
to Mrs. Sophia A. Bromley, of Kansa,
City.
He was particularly interested il
the Grand Army of the Republic. Ht
was twice president of the department
of Missouri, and in 1888 was elected