The Washington times., 1936-02-08
CONTINUED from Page II

NSVAANAA1sASS
learned to ride and he became .
Jockey in frontier races, was q
news butcher on the trains that
Jesse James looted and later,
when II years old, started a
three-year term as newspaper
man. .s-
It was then that he studied law
and when "a years old was elected
prosecuting attorney Of Shawnee
county. He was dry crusader
and his achievements along that
line as well as his success as a
prosecutor earned him sufficient
support to be elected TO the Fifty
Eighth Congress and serve N the
i ,use for eight terms.
Went TO Senate
He was then elected to the Sen.
ate in 1906 and In 1911 served as
president pro tempore. It was
not until March 8, 1929. that he
resigned his membership in the
Senate but returned to preside
over that body as Vice President
of the United States, until the
Republicans were defeated in 1882.
He had breakfasted with Mr..
and Mrs. Gam this morning but
remained at home when they de-
parted to go downtown. Soon
after their departure he was
stricken with the heart attack
which caused his death and he
died while his relatives were en-
route home.
In the field Of politics Curtis
made many enemies in the course
of. his extended career. When the
political fields were vacated, how
ever, his personality gained him a
legion Of friends.
He was well known to race
horse fans for he never forgot his
early love for horses and the
Maryland tracks knew him as a
constant attendant.
These latter years of his life
were spent in comparative rest,
When he stepped out Of the Vice
Presidency he completely retired
from the strenuous political con-
flicts of former years. He walked
leisurely to his law office day after
day or sought the relaxation Of
his hobby Of horse racing.
Celebrated Birthday
Only two weeks ago his cele-
bration of his seventy-sixth birth
day was attended by his rela.
tives and close friends. The
Cams were there and his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Webster Knight, Of
Providence, r. l.. journeyed here
to be with her father. His other
daughter, Mrs. Charles P. George.
is at Fort Sill with her husband.
Lieut.. Col. Charles P. George.
His son is Harry K. Curtis, an
attorney. His wife, Annie e.
Baird, died many years ago..
Although funeral arrangements
have not been completed. 1t was
expected that services would be
attended by some Of the most
prominent persons in the nation
and by some of those who were
his friends, not because OF their
prominence. but because Of their
regard for the democratic de-
scendent of the Kaw tribe. the
former Jockey and news butcher
of the kansas plains.
Burial, it was announced bv Mr
Curtis brother.in-law, Edward
Everett Gam, will be in Topeka.
Kansas. The definite time has
not been settled.
President Roosevelt paid tribute
to the former Vice President as
soon as. he learned Of his death.
The home was besieged by persons
telephoning to extend sympathy
and messenger boys laden with
messages Of regret.
The Senate over which he had
presided for IA years was not in
session today to pay its respects
to the dead. But when 1t con-
venes it is expected to join in the
homage of those who today mourn
for Charles Curtis, son Of the
pioneers Of another day.
Mr.. Gam said the former Vice