Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-11-14


ment of voting on election day. He
was forced to take to his bed but
recovered quickly and was thought
to be out of danger. When he arose
this morning he remarked to his
nurses that he had never felt better
in his life.
Senator McNichol was long a lead
er in Republican politics in this dty
and was one of philadelphia wealth.
lest contractors. Most of the con-
tracts for work on the city's new
500, 100000 subway system were
awarded to the firm of which he was
the head.
Senator McNichol was seized with
a violent attack of indigestion on the
evening of September Is while on a
railroad train bound for Atlantic
City where his family was sojourn-
ing. The train was stopped and the
sick man was hurried to the home
of his son. Doctors said the sudden
illness was due to ptomaine poison
ing probably contracted from food
the Senator had eaten for supper.
For time he was dangerously i'll
and death was feared, but he became
better and was able to leave his
house and vote on November G.
Senator McNichol did not, however,
take any part in the recent exciting
factional battle which rent his party
and came very near causing the de-
feat of the Republican ticket.
James p. McNichol was almost n
national figure in Republican politics.
For many years he attended national
conventions of the party as n dele
gate and he participated In inner
circles conferences,
Upon the death of Israel w. Dur
ham he became the party leader IN
this city and along with United
States Senator Penrose controlled af-
fairs here, gradually extending his
influence until he was looked upon
as n state leader as we'll He enter
ed the state senate in 1905 and In n
phort while assumed virtual control
Cf legislation affecting his party.
In recent years tho McNichol-Pen
rose leadership has been disputed by
State Senator Edwin II, Ware and
Congressman William s., Ware, the
former n rival of McNichol in the
city contracting business.
Senator McNichol succeeded his
father as a contractor. Beginning
l.! all humble way he built up "a lnreu
businGss and was reputed 20 be
pasGCssed of millions, He was ninr-
riHd twice and was the father Of
! fouI tGen children, OF whom two.ve
g's living, the last being bora soon
aftIi he was stricken with mis- latt
| Illness -Four sons are IN the national
6fta@,
News of the death of Senator ], 2.
McNiehol was a shock to people con-
nected with the state government, as
1 the B6nat0P had been u conspiCuous
| figure in state affairs for many years
and active in Legislative matters gince
the session of 1905, The chair of the
| Senator in the Senate chamber was
| Immediately ordered drap ped in blacl.
and committee will be named to
attend the funeral,
Il was greatly shocked TO learn
| of Senator MoNichols DEATH" said
| Governor Brumbaugh, II had hoped
| that he would recover, While we
| differed occasionally, our personal
relations were always very cordial
and | had great respect for his earn
estHess and enthusiasm"
| Attorney General Brown said when
! told of the Senator's death, II am
very, very sorry to hear of it,"
The death of Senator McNichoi
| is the third to occur among the mem
bers of the Senate of 1917, Senator
| Charles j, Magee, of Pittsburgh, died
before adjournment and Senator
William Wallace Smith, of Philadel-
phia, died in August,
| Senator McNichol was a command
ing figure IN the last five sessions
and was the leader of the Penrose
| forces in the Legislature, While he
was more OF less concerned with
the Philadelphia end he was greatly
| interested in the Capitol Park extern
| sion and gave, 1T earnest support for
| decade nj &c 10
remarks on the subject was that he
was glad Pennsylvania was to have
an adequate setting for its splendid
Capitol