Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-03-09
GREAT DEMOCRAT
TAKEN BY DEATH
Champ Clark Dies After rs Years
in the House.
PRESIDED OVER 4 SESSIONS
Yielding to Complication OF Diseases,
the Ex-Speaker Passes Away
Within Two Days Of His
Retirement.

Washington. March 3.-Champ Clarh
died here in his seventy-first year anr
within two days of his retirement
from the house Of representatives, aft
er service OF % years.
Death was due TO an attack OF
pleurisy and a complication of dis
eases incident TO his advanced ge
Up TO ten days ago, however, wher
he developed severe cold, MIR. CLARK
had shared actively in proceedings OF
the house as Democratic leader.
House Recesses 30 Minutes.
Immediately after the death Of Mr.
Clark was announced, the house
recessed for thirty minutes. Repre-
sentative Rucker (Dem). Missouri
who made the announcement. said II
was Mr.. Clark's wish as expressed
through his son. that there be no in
terruption Of congress In its CLOSING
days
Immediately on reconvening after
the 30 minutes recess. the HOUSE
adopted a resolution providing for the
payment To Mrs. Clark of "A years
salary, totaling about $4,000.
To his last conscious moments the
former speakers mind was engrossec
with memories Of his long Legislative
career. Just before he lapSed int
final Inconsistencies those az his bed
side heard him whisper: "The lues
ton is on the adoption of the confer
ence report"
At Mr.. Clark's bedside when the
end came were Mrs. Clark. their ON
Bennett Clark. and their daughter
Mrs. James NJ. Thomson Of New or
leans.
Just Missed Nomination.
Twenty-six years of strenuous serv
ice in congress. during which he tool
hut few and very brief vacations ans
the strain sustained during the Demo
cratic national convention at Balti
more in 1912. also left their mark up
on his powerful frame and sturdy con
stituuon. Except for freak of pO'
litical fate. Mr.. Clark would have been
nominated for President that year. fOI
he Ted during twenty-seven ballots and
had a clear majority Of nine. 4 30
thirds vote was required 10 nominate
The effect upon the former speakers
physique was cumulative but he said
he did not have the time TO take ont
door exercise demanded by his physi
clans. He insisted on remaining in
the harness"
Suffered From Diabetes.
Then rheumatism set in. and later
diabetes. When the former speaker
had been placed ON a strict diet and
ordered 10 take complete rest nj the
time Of the congressional election last
November his reply was typical. Sens
ing the impending Republican land
slide he declared:
Il have been elected thirteen times
so II any Democrat has 10 take reut'
ing. il is up to me"
one Of the former speakers salient
characteristics, his answering devO
ton 10 his friends. was dominant Ia
the last. A. he lay facing death and
heard that his host Of friends. from
President Wilson down to Missouri
newSboys. were praying for his recov.
cry, his face frightened and he said
II am grateful for all my friends
Rare In intellect as well as in ply
Siaue. his mind retained its clarity
through the last hours. lie appeared
resigned 10 80 and whispered that lIfe
"has been very good To me-
Began Life on Farm.
Beginning life as hound out
farm boy, former Speaker chamT
Clark has been the personal friend
Of practically every public man oi
national repute In the last thirty
wears. He was personally acquainted
with every President since Grover
Cleveland and with number Of then
he was on the most intimate terms
Champ Clark was horn ON small
farm near LawrencehurE. Ky. on
March :. 1880 The same day. h,
often recalled. thar Daniel Webster
made his famous seventh Of Marcel
speech" which he could recite from
beginning 20 end.
Ills father. John Hampton Clark. M
ifinerant dentist and singing master