The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-01-02
FairmOnt and State Mourn Dean
of Minnesota Editors. Sue
cumbS i'm Winona Hospital

Senator Frank A. Day of Fairmont,
well known figure in political and
newspaper circles of Minnesota
more than so years, died early last
Thursday in the Winona General
hospital. He collapsed Christmas
day in Winona hotel, where he
had gone to be with his daughter
and her family for the day. He
lapsed into coma Tuesday and had
only slight intervals of consciousness,
the last one late Wednesday.
Funeral services were conducted
Sunday at 2 p. m. at the Fairmont
Methodist church.
Senator Day had been leader in
the two great political parties, friend
of many public men, critic and ad-
visor to every state administration
in many years. He was rs years old,
and a native of Wisconsin, but made
his home in Fairmont in 1874 and in
that year founded the Fairmont Sen
tinel, of which he still was one of the
publishers at the time of his death.
His public service began with a
term in the lower house of the legi-
stature in 1878, and he was to have
taken part in the 1929 session as a
senator, making span of more than
SO years. In between he had served
10 years as a senator, a term as
lieutenant governor, then as private
secretary for Governor John A.
johnson and chairman of the demo-
cratic state committee through three
campaigns.
Governor Theodore Christensen
will call special election soon in
Martin and Watonwan counties to
fill the state senate vacancy.
Mr.. Day had not been in good
health for some time, but seemed
we'll as usual when he went to Winona
for Christmas. He arrived late
Monday night and went to hotel
His daughter, Mrs. Everett Tawney
called for him early Christmas day
and found him ILL., He was taken to
the hospital, where he sank rapidly.
Only his unusual vitality, the physi-
clans said, kept him alive through
Wednesday. He rallied a short
while late Wednesday and talked
with Major Arthur M. Nelson, a
partner, and Frank E. Dauoherty
both of Fairmont. 81 guess I'm
done for" he told Mr.. Daugherty, as
he slipped into the final coma.
One son, Mark Day, is seriously
i'll with pneumonia at the Tawney
home in Winona. He returned re-
Gently from a trip to Cuba and South
America, and came to Winona to get
his wife and family and move them
to Mexico City, where he now is sta
after reaching Winona.
Mr.. Day was a man of pronounced
opinions, a fluent writer and speaker
and had personal friends in every
county of Minnesota. He had risen
to high place in the republican
party, as lieutenant governor, state
committee member, and delegate tc
two national conventions when he
left the party on the silver issue in
1896 and became democrat. In
1904 he helped nominate his friend
John A. Johnson, for governor, anG
became chairman of the democratic
state committee. In that capacity
he handled the state campaign fol-
Governor Johnson in 1904, 1906 anG
1908, and for five years, until Gov
ernor Johnsons' death, was governors
secretary. Later he served on the
state board of visitors by appointment
from Governor j. A. o. Preus, and in
1926 was elected once more to the
state senate, taking active part in the
1927 session.
For many years he was member
of the Minnesota Editorial Associa.
ton and served as it's president one
term. He also was one of the foun.
ders of the Second District Editorial
Association.
He never tired of boosting" Fair.
mont and Martin county. His edi
torial column always was outspoker
and breezy, and his daily utterances
were widely read and quoted.-Min
neapolis Journal.
TWO STATE nEEICEDS