The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-24

Mrs. Shank and DR.. Il. B.
Noble, Jr., were at the bedside
when death occurred. Mrs.
Shank collapsed and was placed
under the doctors care.
Funeral arrangements have not
been made. Flanner & Buchanan
will be in charge.
DR.. Noble, who was called to the
Shank home twice to attend the
former mayor, said death was due
to a heart attack.
Due to Heart Attack
Death was due to angina pee
toris. He had suffered from stom-
ach trouble, but that was only sec
ondary," DR.. Noble said.
80 visited him twice this morning,
the first time about 6 a. m, when
he first suffered pain. The second
attack was fatal. j.
"It came so suddenly and quietly
that we hardly realized what had
happened" he said.
Carlin Shank, a brother, and other
relatives of Mr.. and Mrs. Shank were
called at once.
The characteristic optimistm of
Shank was present until the last.
His last conversation was with his
wife and relatives as to his condition.
Optimist to Last
81 think I feel better" he told her
shortly before passing away.
Mr.. Shank was resident OF In
dianapolis all his life. He was born
Feb. %, 1872. He attended common
schools and went to Shortridge
High. School for two years. Then
he left school to take job as a
furniture salesman.
Rises to Fortune
Naturally shrewd and quick to
grasp opportunities, he gradually
rose in the business and political
world until he amassed comfort
able fortune and reached the point
where he was a leader in his party,
at one time having the largest per-
sonal following probably of any man
who ever fought in Indianapolis
politics.
He entered politics when he was
Just old enough to vote and before
long he aspired to Office. He was
Republican candidate for city
councilman in his early days, but
was defeated.
Not daunted, he plugged away in
the party ranks and when he was
Is years old he was elected county
recorder.
Meanwhile, he had learned and
entered the auctioneering and stor-
age house business. His humorous
stories and. ability as public
speaker put him to the front in his
profession and attracted wide atten-
ton.
Elected Mayor in 1909
His popularity grew so rapidly
that Republican leaders selected
him as their candidate for mayor
in 1909. He was elected and began
MS Ilrm JeIIn III lS1U.
He served until few months be-
fore his term ended, when, in the
midst of the street car and teamster
strikes of 1913, he resigned.
Denounced by leaders of all par
ties as a "quitter," Mr.. Shank
quietly bided his time. He devoted
his energies for a few years to
building up his storage house busi-
ness and then he suddenly blazed
forth again as candidate of the
Home Rule party for mayor in 1917.
He came close to defeating both
the Democratic and Republican
candidates, his friends charging in
formally and in court that he had
been counted out"
The powerful personal political
organization he built in the home
rule campaign stuck with Mr..
| Shank.
Candidate for Congress
BY way of keeping his name alive
during quiet period, some Of his
friends induced him to announce he
had become Democrat and to be-
come candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Congressman in
1920. He did not make much head
way and for tjme was out of tie
headlines.
Then slowly, surely, his organiza-
ton started the rumble OF SHANK
for mayorI" So carefully and pow