" Farmer Nelson "

The oldest man in the Senate, a man who had never been defeated in an election, the " grand old man," the "Norseman," the "Viking," or--as he liked best to be called" Farmer Nelson " died aboard a Pennsylvania Railroad train on April 28; Senator Knute Nelson, 80 years of age, and senior Senator from Minnesota fell dead of heart disease as he was going from Washington to his home in Alexandria, Minn.

Born in Norway, in 1843, he came to this country at the age of six. He lived first in Chicago, then in Wisconsin and finally in Minnesota. During the Civil War he served as a volunteer in the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry until he was severely wounded at the battle of Port Hudson in 1864. After the War he studied law and entered politics. He served in the legislatures of Wisconsin and Minnesota, was Governor of the latter state for two terms, was six years a United States Congressman and 28 years a Senator.

In person, he was short and rugged. His square white beard made him look " like the work of a cubist sculptor." He was little given to making speeches, but when he spoke his words were blunt, honest and logical. His manner and his habits were simple and old fashioned. It is recorded that for many years after he came into prominence Mrs. Nelson used to have the floors of their home sanded.

In politics he was a Republican and staunch party man. When Roosevelt started the Progressive party, he said he would rather " quit politics than split his party." On the other hand, he supported President Wilson on the League of Nations issue, denouncing the irreconcilables. He helped write the Republican tariff plank and yet attacked the Fordney-McCumber Tariff for its wool duties. An enemy of the Non-Partisan League in the Northwest, an opponent of the soldier bonus (although one of the two civil war veterans in the Senate), a supporter of the Dyer anti-lynching bill and an advocate of a child labor amendment--he leaves behind him the memory of a fearless, independent and forceful man.

Said Governor Preus of Minnesota: " The Northwest has lost its greatest citizen. The United States has lost one of its greatest champions for good. I have lost my best friend."