The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-31

3l.-Ohio, "thc mother Of
Presidents, - today embraced in
death It's favoritc son for the
1928 Republican presidential
nomination-Scnator Frank b.
Willis.
Willis died last night as a great
crowd gathered in a homecoming
at his home city to listen to his ad-
dress, aimed to aid his own presi-
dental candidacy.
Il feel ill., Willis said. as the Co
lumbus Republican Glee Club sang
"At the End Of a Perfect Day"
A few minutes later he was dead
1t had been a great demonstra-
ton for Willis during the evening
The Kiwanis club banqueted him.
Later he stood at a reviewing
stand-silhouetted against a sky.
reddened by torches reminiscent OF
political campaigns of the '90s. and
watched his townspeople parade in
his honor.
Complains of Illness
For more than thirty minutes he
watched the parade and once or
twice complained, in an undertone,
that he had inhaled some of the
smoke from the red flares.
Then he went to the Gray chapel
OF Ohio Wesleyan University, which
was filling rapidly with admirers to
hear him speak. He was led to the
place of honor on the platform and
the leading citizens of Delaware
joined him there. Many well-known
Ohio Republicans also were on the
speakers program
A glee club furnished the musics
part Of the program. It was
varied program and the singers were
just in the midst Of Carrie Jacobs
Bonds melody when Willis COM
planned of feeling i'll.
Mrs. Willis was at his side. She
did not realize the seriousness OF
her husbands illness and did not
accompany him out Of the hall. re.
naming behind to hear the glee
club finish "A Perfect Day" and
commence How Can I Leave Thee?'
Faints Then Dies
Outside the chapel Willis tainted
He was carried into the Presidents
office and DR.. James Dorrance was
called from the audience. The doc
tor arrived just as the Senator died
Death was attributed to cerebral
hemorrhage.
Mrs Willis meanwhile had been
called from the platform.
Bruce Burgess. president Of the
Delaware Willis-fo President Club,
with eyes moist, went back into the
chapel and there announced that
Ohio's favorite son and Delaware's
first citizen, was dead.
The 5000 or more persons, who
had come to cheer Willis. were
stunned. There was a hush over the
room. Many of the audience had
chatted with the Senator during the
day, or had seen him on the streets
They seemed almost incredulous
that death had robbed the Senator
Of his greatest political ambition.
Wait Brothers Arrival
The body later was taken to al
undertaking parlor and will be held
pending arrival of the Senator's two
brothers, DR. Lloyd Willis of Chicago
and Buell. Willis of Lewis Center,
Ohio.
Mrs. Willis was taken to her home
at Galena, Ohio. A daughter, a
teacher at Ohio Northern Univer-
sity at Ada. was advised of her
fathers death.
Funeral arrangements will not be
announced until the brothers ar
rive.
Born in Ohio
Senator Willis was born at Lewis
Center, Ohio, Dec. %, 1871, the son
of Jay B. and Lavinia Willis. He
was educated in the Ohio schools
and received the degree of Bachelor
of Arts from Ohio Northern Uni
versity Ada. Ohio, in 1893, and
Masters degree a year later.
He then attended Ohio Wesleyan.
Miami and Ohio Universities and
received the degree Of Bachelor OF
Law.
He married Miss Allie Dustin at
Galena, Ohio, July 10, 1894. He at
tended school and at the same time
taught, holding a professorship in
history and economics and later
law. He was admitted to the Ohio
bar in 1906.
Elected to the State Legislature
he served in the lower House two
terms. 1900-1904. He then became
Congressman and represented the
Eighth Ohio district in the House
from 19l1-l9l5, when he was elected
Governor of Ohio. He was Gov
ernor from 19l5-1917, and United
States Senator from 1921 to the time
of his death.