Douglas daily dispatch., 1928-03-31

uOuIS ana slept little.
Shortly before 6 D. m, the senator
arose went to Kiwanis club dinner
IN the hotel where he laughed and
Joked with friends and, according to
those present, seemed in the best OF
health and spirits. He did not speak
at the dinner, but arose once to ac-
knowledge the remarks of the toast
master concerning the clubs distin-
guished guest.
DR.. l. It McCarty, one OF the ply
slclans with the senator when he died
and who also attended the Kiwanis
dinner said Senator Willis told him
during the course Of the meal that
he never felt better" in his life.
He laughed and joked as he went
back to his ROOM" DR.. McCarty said
and seemed supremely happy"
Charles Frederickson, Coshocton,
who has been mentioned as Willis
! candidate for national committee
man from Ohio, was on the platform
when the senator was stricken. He
also hed been guest at the XII
wants dinner
In the chapel was the Galena high
school cheering squad. Senator Will
lis, as a boy, attended Galena high
school
Whether funeral services will be
held i'll Delaware or Galena has not
been decided
Senator Frank B. Willis was born
December %, 1871, at Lewis Center.
Delaware county, Ohio Ills education
was received in the public schools OF
that section and at Northern Ohio
university, where after graduation he
served for several years as a teacher
He took up the study of law and
in 1906 was admitted TO the Ohio bar.
Later he served in the general as
sembly of his state He entered the
field OF national politics in 1910 when
he was elected to the house OF repre-
! sentatives. He served in the house
until 1915 and then resigned to be-
come governor of Ohio.
Willisc entered the senate in 1921,
by appointment to succeed President
Harding, and returned in the election
of 1921
In the senate, he was prominent
among the dry forces and as chair
man of the committee on insular pos
sessions was active in securing legis-
lation respecting these. He also was
prominently identified with rivers and
narbors and shipping legislation.
Last fall he announced that he
would be candidate for the republic
can presidential nomination, and toll
lowed his announcement with an ac-
tive campaign for the delegates OF
his home state.
This was complicated by the de-
ciSion of Secretary Hoover, also a
candidate, to enter his name in the
Ohio republican preferential primaries
Senator Willis was married in 1894
to Miss Allie Dustin of Galena, Ohio
He is survived by his widow and one
daughter, Helen, who is teacher at
Ohio Northern university.
Willis was one OF the few repub-
licans in the last few decades to
serve as governor OF Ohio. He was
elected in 1914 over James M Cox,
who in 1920 was nominated by the
then had served one term, and in
1916 and 1913 he came back against
Willis. defeated him in the guber-
material contest on both occasions.
The decision of Warren G. Harding
to make fight in 1920 for the
republican presidential nomination in
the Chicago convention afforded Will
lis his opportunity to enter the sem
ate. While the convention was dead
locked, the time for filing in the
OHIO senatorial primaries expired.
Harding's seat was at stake. His
filing papers were at Columbus, but
or the advice OF his closest friends.
among them Harry M Daugherty,
Harding decided to remain out OF
the Ohio senatorial fight.
A number of republicans had been
waiting for such decision, unwilling
to seek the nomination If Mr.. Harding
wanted it. Willis filed at the last
moment, and in the following Nov
enaber was swept into office along
with other republicans.
After his election as president,
Harding resigned from the senate and
Willis was names to fill his unexpired
term, thus taking office before his
elective term began
In November. 1926 Willis was re-
elected to the senate, defeating
ICTQl6T SoGLlalOE HIl6G S-CAtcS d
democrat, and one OF the govern
ment's special Oil counsel.
Willis sprang into the national
limelight at the republican convention
in 1920 ir his terse, dramatic speech
with which he placed his fellow
Ohioar Harding, in nomination.
The delegates had been worn out
by hot weather and long nominating
speeches. Willis, big OF body, strong
of voice, took the platform, and
wasting no words, numbered, with a
broad smile,
Come on boys and girls, let's
nominate Harding of Ohio"
AS senators &C, Mr., Willis was
young. His death came as great
| shock to nis colleagues. He was a
born canlpaigner, and had invaded
every nook and Granny OF ms home
state during his years in public life.
His closest friends say he really
| thought he might be nominated this
year for president by the republicans.
He wanted the Ohio delegation and
refused to lister tc suggestions that