The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-08

Curtis died here today at 10:
death was due to heart diseas
Mr.. Curtis was 76 years
in Congress with his election
with President Herbert C. H,
IN the House of Representa-
elected in 1893.
In 1907 he was elected t
United States Senator j. F..
Burton, who resigned, and he
gave up his House seat to
serve in the Senate.
He was reelected to the Senate
for four successive six-year terms.
1t was during his fourth term that
he was chosen as running mate
for Mr.. Hoover and assembled TO
the vice presidency.
Funeral arrangements announced
this afternoon provided for de-
parture from Washington at p. m.
tomorrow and arrival in Topeka at
10:40 a. m. Tuesday. The funeral
will be at Topeka Tuesday after
noon and burial will be in the To-
peka cemetery.
The former Vice President died
in the modest home he shared here
with his half-sister and brother-in-
law Mr.. and Mrs. Edward e. Gam
Suffering From Cold
Mr.. Curtis had been suffering
from cold but had not been seri-
ously i'll.
Brother had not been ill.," Mrs.
Gam said 1.-THE doctor saw him
last night and told him to remain
at home because of the weather.
He was cheerful when he got up
this morning. He read the papers
and told what he wanted for break
fast.
Mr.. Gam went to his Office and
I had some errands. Then Mr..
Gam called me and said brother
had heart attack. BY the time we
got home he was gone"
Servants were with Curtis when
he died.
Mr. Curtis was perhaps one of
the most picturesque figures in ma
tional affairs.
Despite his 76 years he remained
vigorous. He looked 10 years young
er, his dark eyes flashing in a
handsome face, made distinguished
by his flowing white mustaches.
Curtis, himself one-eighth Amer
lean Indian on his mothers side
had colorful career before he came
to Washington as member of the
Senate in 1907. He lived among the
Indians during his boyhood, his
parents dying early in his life, but
he returned in 1874, when IA, to his
fathers people to take up their
mode Of life rather than the roam
ing existence of the tribesmen.
Once Was Jockey
Mr.. Curtis was many things, from
a jockey, reporter and snall-town
lawyer in his native state of Kan
sas, to Senator and then Vice
President of his country.
He entered politics shortly after
beginning the study of the law, and
in 1884 was elected prosecuting at
torney in Shawnee County, Kansas.
He first came to Washington in
1892 as a member of the House
of Representatives and in the 10
years following remained contin-
uously in Office with the exception
of two years, 1924.
While Curtis never was regarded
as an outstanding political leader,
nevertheless he made friends in
the national capital and through
out the country for his stand On
numerous matters of wide in
terest.
Born in Kansas
Mr.. Curtis was born Jan. IS, 1860
in what is now North Topeka, Kas.,
of parents who were among that
states earliest settlers.
His father was Oren A. Curtis, a
native of Indiana, who YVES cap
tain in the Union Army during the
Civ1 War; and his mother, Helen
Pappan, descendant of French Ca
madam trapper and a half-Indian
girl.
Through her Mr.. Curtis descended
3 from two famous Indian chiefs,
White Plume, chief of the Kansas
tribe, and Pawhuska, chief of the
Usage tribe.
The youth began riding when 8
years old and became famous as a
jockey at the age of Is. In 1877 he
got a job as a reporter on the North
Topeka Times, at which he worked
intermittently for two years.
Took Up Law in 1879
In 1879 Mr.. Curtis took UP the
study of law. reading in the Office
of the late A. H. Case, a Kansas at
torney. He drove a hack TO earn
money In the meantime, and in
1881. at the age of 81, was admitted
to the bar.
He married Annie E. Baird of To-
peka in 1884. He is survived by
three children, Harry. Permelia and
Leona. all married. A sister Mrs.
Elizabeth Colvin. resides in Topeka.
A half-sister, Mrs. Edward Everett
Gam, wife Of a Washington attor-
ney, was his official hostess IN
Washington.