Interred 07/15/1885
James Gaither Wintersmith
Death in this City of the Ex-Doorkeeper of the National House of Representatives.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
James Gaither Wintersmith, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, died at the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Cluskey, No. 233 East Walnut Street, yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Mr. Wintersmith has been sick since the close of the last session of Congress. He suffered from rheumatism and liver complaint, but a high fever, complicated by malarial troubles, was the immediate cause of his death. He arrived here a week ago last Friday, and it was thought last week that he was gradually getting better under the tender nursing of his mother. His father, Hon. Richard C. Wintersmith, arrived in the city Friday morning. The condition of the sick man remained unchanged until Monday morning, when it was seen that he was growing worse, and the physician was of the opinion a crisis was rapidly approaching. That night it was concluded that Mr. Wintersmith could not recover and the immediate friends of the family were notified. He lingered all night and yesterday morning between life and death, and peacefully went to his rest at 1 o'clock.
At his bedside were his father and mother, his brother, John Wintersmith, his aunt, Mrs. Clusky, Miss Lizzie Jacob, his cousin, Cuthbert Bullitt, Capt. William Johnston, ex-Gov. Luke Blackburn, the weeping family-servants and his old nurse.
James Gaither Wintersmith was born March 18, 1849, at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was the son of Col. Richard Curd Wintersmith, known in story and fable as "Dick, one of the most popular and most widely-known men in America. Young James Wintersmith inherited many of his father's strong points; among others, his independence of character. It was due to this quality that on Christmas day, 1862, James Wintersmith, no yet fourteen years of age, joined John Morgan's cavalry. The lad fought under that brilliant leader until the famous Ohio raid, when he was shot. He was brought back to Louisville as a prisoner, and placed in the hospital to be treated. It was proposed that as soon as he was well enough, he should be hanged as a guerilla. Influential friends interfered in his behalf, and, after a lingering illness and months spent in a hospital prison, the young man was released and sent South. This did not happen until near the close of the war.
In 1866 young Wintersmith went to the Kentucky Military Institute to resume his education, which had been interrupted by national tragedy. From the Institute he went to Washington University, at Lexington, Virginia, where he took many honors. He graduated in 1869 with distinction. In college, he had been noted for his oratorical powers. After graduating he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and studied law in the university there, delivering the valedictory of his class. He shortly removed to Tyler, Texas, where he practiced his profession. Gen. Reagan became his warm friend, and when the Reagan Commerce Committee was organized, Mr. James Wintersmith went to Washington as its clerk. A Change in the politics of the House lost him his place.
On the return of the Democrats to power in the House, Mr. Wintersmith ran for the office of Doorkeeper. This was at the organization of the Forty-eighth Congress. Mr. Wintersmith was elected on the first ballot, defeating several prominent competitors. He filled the post of Doorkeeper with great credit, and was almost certain of a re-election in December next. Though a rather taciturn man, he was exceedingly popular. He was possessed of an unusual fund of information, and was a close observer of human nature. His illness dated from some time back, and was due to a general breaking down of the system.
Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky; Wednesday Morning, July 15, 1885; Page 6.
Contributor: D. L. Lee (47772418)
James Gaither Wintersmith
Death in this City of the Ex-Doorkeeper of the National House of Representatives.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
James Gaither Wintersmith, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, died at the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Cluskey, No. 233 East Walnut Street, yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Mr. Wintersmith has been sick since the close of the last session of Congress. He suffered from rheumatism and liver complaint, but a high fever, complicated by malarial troubles, was the immediate cause of his death. He arrived here a week ago last Friday, and it was thought last week that he was gradually getting better under the tender nursing of his mother. His father, Hon. Richard C. Wintersmith, arrived in the city Friday morning. The condition of the sick man remained unchanged until Monday morning, when it was seen that he was growing worse, and the physician was of the opinion a crisis was rapidly approaching. That night it was concluded that Mr. Wintersmith could not recover and the immediate friends of the family were notified. He lingered all night and yesterday morning between life and death, and peacefully went to his rest at 1 o'clock.
At his bedside were his father and mother, his brother, John Wintersmith, his aunt, Mrs. Clusky, Miss Lizzie Jacob, his cousin, Cuthbert Bullitt, Capt. William Johnston, ex-Gov. Luke Blackburn, the weeping family-servants and his old nurse.
James Gaither Wintersmith was born March 18, 1849, at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was the son of Col. Richard Curd Wintersmith, known in story and fable as "Dick, one of the most popular and most widely-known men in America. Young James Wintersmith inherited many of his father's strong points; among others, his independence of character. It was due to this quality that on Christmas day, 1862, James Wintersmith, no yet fourteen years of age, joined John Morgan's cavalry. The lad fought under that brilliant leader until the famous Ohio raid, when he was shot. He was brought back to Louisville as a prisoner, and placed in the hospital to be treated. It was proposed that as soon as he was well enough, he should be hanged as a guerilla. Influential friends interfered in his behalf, and, after a lingering illness and months spent in a hospital prison, the young man was released and sent South. This did not happen until near the close of the war.
In 1866 young Wintersmith went to the Kentucky Military Institute to resume his education, which had been interrupted by national tragedy. From the Institute he went to Washington University, at Lexington, Virginia, where he took many honors. He graduated in 1869 with distinction. In college, he had been noted for his oratorical powers. After graduating he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and studied law in the university there, delivering the valedictory of his class. He shortly removed to Tyler, Texas, where he practiced his profession. Gen. Reagan became his warm friend, and when the Reagan Commerce Committee was organized, Mr. James Wintersmith went to Washington as its clerk. A Change in the politics of the House lost him his place.
On the return of the Democrats to power in the House, Mr. Wintersmith ran for the office of Doorkeeper. This was at the organization of the Forty-eighth Congress. Mr. Wintersmith was elected on the first ballot, defeating several prominent competitors. He filled the post of Doorkeeper with great credit, and was almost certain of a re-election in December next. Though a rather taciturn man, he was exceedingly popular. He was possessed of an unusual fund of information, and was a close observer of human nature. His illness dated from some time back, and was due to a general breaking down of the system.
Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky; Wednesday Morning, July 15, 1885; Page 6.
Contributor: D. L. Lee (47772418)
Interred 07/15/1885
James Gaither Wintersmith
Death in this City of the Ex-Doorkeeper of the National House of Representatives.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
James Gaither Wintersmith, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, died at the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Cluskey, No. 233 East Walnut Street, yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Mr. Wintersmith has been sick since the close of the last session of Congress. He suffered from rheumatism and liver complaint, but a high fever, complicated by malarial troubles, was the immediate cause of his death. He arrived here a week ago last Friday, and it was thought last week that he was gradually getting better under the tender nursing of his mother. His father, Hon. Richard C. Wintersmith, arrived in the city Friday morning. The condition of the sick man remained unchanged until Monday morning, when it was seen that he was growing worse, and the physician was of the opinion a crisis was rapidly approaching. That night it was concluded that Mr. Wintersmith could not recover and the immediate friends of the family were notified. He lingered all night and yesterday morning between life and death, and peacefully went to his rest at 1 o'clock.
At his bedside were his father and mother, his brother, John Wintersmith, his aunt, Mrs. Clusky, Miss Lizzie Jacob, his cousin, Cuthbert Bullitt, Capt. William Johnston, ex-Gov. Luke Blackburn, the weeping family-servants and his old nurse.
James Gaither Wintersmith was born March 18, 1849, at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was the son of Col. Richard Curd Wintersmith, known in story and fable as "Dick, one of the most popular and most widely-known men in America. Young James Wintersmith inherited many of his father's strong points; among others, his independence of character. It was due to this quality that on Christmas day, 1862, James Wintersmith, no yet fourteen years of age, joined John Morgan's cavalry. The lad fought under that brilliant leader until the famous Ohio raid, when he was shot. He was brought back to Louisville as a prisoner, and placed in the hospital to be treated. It was proposed that as soon as he was well enough, he should be hanged as a guerilla. Influential friends interfered in his behalf, and, after a lingering illness and months spent in a hospital prison, the young man was released and sent South. This did not happen until near the close of the war.
In 1866 young Wintersmith went to the Kentucky Military Institute to resume his education, which had been interrupted by national tragedy. From the Institute he went to Washington University, at Lexington, Virginia, where he took many honors. He graduated in 1869 with distinction. In college, he had been noted for his oratorical powers. After graduating he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and studied law in the university there, delivering the valedictory of his class. He shortly removed to Tyler, Texas, where he practiced his profession. Gen. Reagan became his warm friend, and when the Reagan Commerce Committee was organized, Mr. James Wintersmith went to Washington as its clerk. A Change in the politics of the House lost him his place.
On the return of the Democrats to power in the House, Mr. Wintersmith ran for the office of Doorkeeper. This was at the organization of the Forty-eighth Congress. Mr. Wintersmith was elected on the first ballot, defeating several prominent competitors. He filled the post of Doorkeeper with great credit, and was almost certain of a re-election in December next. Though a rather taciturn man, he was exceedingly popular. He was possessed of an unusual fund of information, and was a close observer of human nature. His illness dated from some time back, and was due to a general breaking down of the system.
Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky; Wednesday Morning, July 15, 1885; Page 6.
Contributor: D. L. Lee (47772418)
James Gaither Wintersmith
Death in this City of the Ex-Doorkeeper of the National House of Representatives.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
James Gaither Wintersmith, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, died at the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Cluskey, No. 233 East Walnut Street, yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Mr. Wintersmith has been sick since the close of the last session of Congress. He suffered from rheumatism and liver complaint, but a high fever, complicated by malarial troubles, was the immediate cause of his death. He arrived here a week ago last Friday, and it was thought last week that he was gradually getting better under the tender nursing of his mother. His father, Hon. Richard C. Wintersmith, arrived in the city Friday morning. The condition of the sick man remained unchanged until Monday morning, when it was seen that he was growing worse, and the physician was of the opinion a crisis was rapidly approaching. That night it was concluded that Mr. Wintersmith could not recover and the immediate friends of the family were notified. He lingered all night and yesterday morning between life and death, and peacefully went to his rest at 1 o'clock.
At his bedside were his father and mother, his brother, John Wintersmith, his aunt, Mrs. Clusky, Miss Lizzie Jacob, his cousin, Cuthbert Bullitt, Capt. William Johnston, ex-Gov. Luke Blackburn, the weeping family-servants and his old nurse.
James Gaither Wintersmith was born March 18, 1849, at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was the son of Col. Richard Curd Wintersmith, known in story and fable as "Dick, one of the most popular and most widely-known men in America. Young James Wintersmith inherited many of his father's strong points; among others, his independence of character. It was due to this quality that on Christmas day, 1862, James Wintersmith, no yet fourteen years of age, joined John Morgan's cavalry. The lad fought under that brilliant leader until the famous Ohio raid, when he was shot. He was brought back to Louisville as a prisoner, and placed in the hospital to be treated. It was proposed that as soon as he was well enough, he should be hanged as a guerilla. Influential friends interfered in his behalf, and, after a lingering illness and months spent in a hospital prison, the young man was released and sent South. This did not happen until near the close of the war.
In 1866 young Wintersmith went to the Kentucky Military Institute to resume his education, which had been interrupted by national tragedy. From the Institute he went to Washington University, at Lexington, Virginia, where he took many honors. He graduated in 1869 with distinction. In college, he had been noted for his oratorical powers. After graduating he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and studied law in the university there, delivering the valedictory of his class. He shortly removed to Tyler, Texas, where he practiced his profession. Gen. Reagan became his warm friend, and when the Reagan Commerce Committee was organized, Mr. James Wintersmith went to Washington as its clerk. A Change in the politics of the House lost him his place.
On the return of the Democrats to power in the House, Mr. Wintersmith ran for the office of Doorkeeper. This was at the organization of the Forty-eighth Congress. Mr. Wintersmith was elected on the first ballot, defeating several prominent competitors. He filled the post of Doorkeeper with great credit, and was almost certain of a re-election in December next. Though a rather taciturn man, he was exceedingly popular. He was possessed of an unusual fund of information, and was a close observer of human nature. His illness dated from some time back, and was due to a general breaking down of the system.
Source: The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky; Wednesday Morning, July 15, 1885; Page 6.
Contributor: D. L. Lee (47772418)
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