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365:
759:
31:
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226:
792:, where "ore than 2,000 friends crowded into the temple and... as many were turned away." Newspapers noted that "ully half the mourners were people without wealth, men, women, and children whom had befriended at some time during their lives." Amidon received Scottish Rite services before his body was taken to Maple Grove Cemetery, where it received a simple Masonic burial.
781:
While preparing to return home from his office on the evening of Friday, May 8th, 1925, Amidon felt a surge of chest pain and phoned his physician and lifelong friend, Dr. J.Z. Hoffman. Amidon greeted
Hoffman a short while later with his last words, "Hello, Doctor," and was dead of heart failure less
284:
In the 1896 election, he was elected as
Sedgwick County Attorney on the Populist Party ticket. In 1898 he was re-elected as a Democrat. Dubbed "the greatest attorney in the Middle West," Amidon's legal prowess, civic engagement, and philanthropic efforts earned him widespread respect and influence in
413:
The Court ordered Nation's immediate release and for the commencement of her trial on
January 15, by which point Amidon's term had expired. His successor quickly dropped the charges against Nation, stating that "she is laboring under a delusion to such an extent that she is not responsible for her
730:
compromise candidate. Sensing defeat, Amidon took the platform at 1:40am on July 6 and moved to nominate Cox by unanimous acclimation. The motion was met with "a roar from the tired and worn delegates which lasted a full four minutes." Governor Cox and his running mate, Assistant
Secretary of the
426:
After retiring from public office, Amidon started a legal partnership with Judge David M. Dale in 1903. The firm of Dale & Amidon became "one of the most prominent and influential in the state and include among its clients a number of the most important financial, industrial and commercial
662:
reported that "before the
President's train started on its return trip to Washington, the president received Col. Amidon aboard the Mayflower for a few moments," and that Amidon was "probably the only Wichita citizen who saw the president." Less than a week later on October 2, Wilson secretly
653:
The friendship continued to grow from there, with
President Wilson paying a visit to Wichita on September 26, 1919. The president planned to disembark his train and speak to a waiting crowd of 10,000 people, with Amidon delivering the introduction. However, upon approach to
397:
Against Amidon's "earnest protest," Sedgwick County
Sheriff Charles W. Simmons then enforced a three-week quarantine at the Sedgwick County jail in what was likely an underhanded move to prevent Nation from bonding out. Amidon's final act as county attorney occurred at the
650:. It was "at the luncheon table and during the two hours of visiting that Col. Amidon studied the President's personality and formed an opinion of his sincerity," after which he declared the president a "decent, fair fellow - a sociable, high-minded individual."
715:. Widely seen as the strongest candidate in the field, and initially the leader in the delegate count, McAdoo began bleeding support after the New York delegation and other Northern delegates continually blocked his nomination in protest of his support for
393:
through a $ 100 mirror. After her arrest, Nation remained defiant and dared prosecutors to bring charges against her, declaring "The law can't touch me on this, and I am going to make it hot for other saloons in this town as soon as they release me."
666:
Despite any awkwardness over Wilson's refusal to endorse a successor at the 1920 Democratic
National Convention, Amidon's friendship persisted to the point that he was "one of the few friends at the bedside just before died" in 1924.
707:
In an uncomfortable position, Amidon was torn between loyalty to his friend and the duty to nominate an electable candidate. Amidon attempted both, leading the convention forces behind Wilson's son-in-law and former
442:, Amidon was active in politics from the beginning of his career, using his persuasive oratory skills to campaign for "every Democrat from President down to coroner" and his considerable wealth to help fund them.
356:
yesterday to engage in a law suit, and when the opposition got sight of him they threw up the case." By the time of his first term as County
Attorney, Amidon had "built up one of the most lucrative practices in
352:, Amidon quickly earned a reputation as a shrewd, effective lawyer and a powerfully persuasive speaker. His reputation became so pronounced that one article in the Wichita Eagle reported that Amidon "went to
699:
Despite being seriously ill, physically immobile, and isolated in seclusion, President Wilson was determined to run for a third term. Refusing to endorse a successor, Wilson hoped to force a deadlocked
427:
interests of southern Kansas" and "appeared in connection with the most important litigations in the state and federal courts." The firm is still in operation today under the name of McDonald-Tinker.
418:, the people of the city " her punishment sufficient," apparently viewing her antics with bemusement despite what, in current dollars, amounted to over $ 14,500 in intentional property damage.
683:
in 1917. Likely aided by his friendship with
President Wilson, Amidon was elected as a national Vice Chair of the DNC on February 26, 1919, a position he would hold until his death in 1925.
785:
The news of Amidon's death was met with widespread grief in the Wichita community. Newspapers ran front-page retrospectives on his life, career, and contributions to the city.
328:
before teaching for two terms and beginning his study of law in 1884. Graduating second in his class of 103 at Cleveland Law School, Amidon was admitted to the bar by the
269:
as the 1920 Democratic nominee for President. He is the namesake of several Wichita landmarks, including Amidon Avenue on the city's west side, Amidon Bridge across the
430:
Amidon's legal reputation was largely based on criminal prosecution and defense, although he "handled ten civil suits to every criminal suit in which he appeared."
1333:
736:
466:
in 1893. This political context, combined with Amidon's respected legal reputation, emboldened him to run for Sedgwick County attorney in 1896.
789:
1343:
1328:
278:
709:
701:
639:
492:
455:
815:
Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc
740:
716:
597:
572:
517:
451:
439:
254:
163:
655:
463:
225:
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on May 3, 1863, the youngest of six children. His ancestors, both paternal and maternal, trace back to the founders of the
680:
386:
250:
53:
1239:
1196:
1136:
1046:
971:
941:
881:
458:
during the 1890s created an unprecedented opportunity for Democratic victories in the state, including a majority in the
1166:
911:
389:
along Douglas Avenue and proceeded to wreak havoc at the bar, damaging a $ 300 painting with a rock before throwing a
1269:
1297:
1031:
658:, Wilson's health rapidly deteriorated and his scheduled public appearances were cancelled at the last minute. The
310:
1338:
317:
679:
since 1888, Amidon's influence in the national party remained relatively informal until his election as Kansas'
851:
691:
838:
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Sedgwick County, Kansas, and a Compendium of National Biography
358:
246:
72:
377:
On the morning of December 27, 1900, in the waning days of Amidon's final term as county attorney, radical
732:
306:
1076:
813:
770:
Amidon married Alice L. Noyes, the daughter of an early Wichita pioneer family, on November 16, 1893.
1323:
1318:
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364:
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30:
1106:
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241:(May 3, 1863 – May 8, 1925) was an American lawyer, politician, and philanthropist who served as
722:
After 44 ballots, it became increasingly clear that the delegates would settle on Ohio Governor
758:
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Amidon was born to Henry W. and Mary Ette (Barker) Amidon on his father's farm near
763:
723:
638:. After election to a committee to notify the president of his renomination at the
406:
on January 12, reluctantly representing Sheriff Simmons in front of an unimpressed
274:
266:
663:
suffered a massive and debilitating stroke from which he never fully recovered.
345:
336:
in September of that year "with no money but plenty of grit and determination."
298:
135:
727:
647:
634:
Amidon was widely known for his close personal friendship with U.S. President
316:
Amidon was educated in his native county and graduated as valedictorian of
1001:
1295:"Simple dignity marks funeral of dead leader of Democrats in Kansas".
277:, his residence of 29 years which was nominated for inclusion in the
265:
from 1888 to 1924, and delivered the successful motion to nominate
772:
757:
690:
363:
1229:. Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh University Press, 2006; p. 23.
972:"Nolle prosequi: Mrs. Carrie Nation was not wholly responsible"
942:"Lawyers return: Mrs. Nation's attorney talks of Supreme Court"
788:
Amidon's funeral was held the following Wednesday at Wichita's
368:
Amidon during his tenure as Sedgwick County Attorney, 1897.
249:
from 1897 to 1901, and later as the vice chair of the
1270:"Sedgwick. Marriage Licenses April 1893–October 1896"
695:
The convention hall at the 1920 DNC in San Francisco.
220:
196:
169:
159:
142:
118:
113:
99:
89:
70:
51:
21:
777:Amidon's grave in Wichita's Maple Grove Cemetery.
462:which selected the state's first-ever Democratic
344:Establishing his practice in the growing former
289:, along with the lifelong moniker of "Colonel."
766:, Amidon's residence from 1896 until his death.
1197:"Amidon raised to high place in Demo rankings"
1227:The Twenties in America: Politics and History
646:, Amidon traveled to Wilson's summer home in
253:from 1919 until his death in 1925. A staunch
8:
1024:
1022:
450:Despite Kansas' historical affinity for the
85:January 11, 1897 – January 14, 1901
818:. Vol. III. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago
548:
468:
29:
18:
186:
840:. Biographical Publishing Company. 1901.
807:
805:
550:Sedgwick County Attorney election, 1898
470:Sedgwick County Attorney election, 1896
66:February 27, 1919 – May 8, 1925
1137:"Amidon only Wichitan to see President"
801:
385:entered the ground floor saloon of the
261:, Amidon served as a delegate to every
257:and close personal friend of President
675:Beyond serving as a delegate to each
554:
474:
7:
1334:Democratic National Committee people
882:"Woman alone raids a Wichita saloon"
454:, its fracture with the progressive
279:National Register of Historic Places
1240:"Cox is nominated by the Democrats"
702:1920 Democratic National Convention
687:1920 Democratic National Convention
640:1916 Democratic National Convention
332:in February 1886, and relocated to
14:
438:A staunch lifelong member of the
414:acts." Besides, according to the
681:Democratic National Committeeman
630:Friendship with President Wilson
593:
567:
513:
487:
224:
1143:. September 27, 1919. p. 5
1113:. September 13, 1916. p. 5
182:
1203:. February 27, 1919. p. 1
1053:. November 14, 1896. p. 5
918:. December 31, 1900. p. 5
888:. December 27, 1900. p. 5
677:Democratic National Convention
305:, and include veterans of the
263:Democratic National Convention
16:American lawyer and politician
1:
1083:. November 9, 1898. p. 5
978:. January 18, 1901. p. 5
948:. January 14, 1901. p. 5
858:. January 10, 1897. p. 3
812:Blackmar, Frank, ed. (1912).
671:Democratic National Committee
579:Samuel B. Amidon (incumbent)
251:Democratic National Committee
54:Democratic National Committee
36:
1344:Lawyers from Wichita, Kansas
1329:District attorneys in Kansas
1360:
1298:The Topeka Capital-Journal
1244:The Wichita Daily Stockman
1173:. April 1, 1917. p. 5
1032:The Topeka Capital-Journal
852:"Additional local matters"
731:Navy and future President
422:Return to private practice
311:American Revolutionary War
1246:. July 6, 1920. p. 3
782:than five minutes later.
704:to nominate him instead.
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563:
560:
557:
532:
483:
480:
477:
232:
109:
78:
59:
47:
28:
1167:"Amidon won party honor"
446:Sedgwick County Attorney
293:Early life and education
754:Personal life and death
522:John Davis (incumbent)
320:in 1880. He studied at
247:Sedgwick County, Kansas
73:Sedgwick County, Kansas
1107:"Chats with President"
1077:"Complete County Vote"
778:
767:
696:
369:
776:
761:
733:Franklin D. Roosevelt
694:
367:
307:French and Indian War
1047:"The Official Count"
790:Scottish Rite Center
713:William Gibbs McAdoo
408:Kansas Supreme Court
318:Geneva Normal School
239:Samuel Barker Amidon
213:Cleveland Law School
123:Samuel Barker Amidon
1276:. November 16, 1893
1029:"Sam Amidon dies".
551:
471:
71:County Attorney of
1081:The Wichita Beacon
1006:mcdonaldtinker.com
976:The Wichita Beacon
946:The Wichita Beacon
916:The Wichita Beacon
912:"Jail quarantined"
886:The Wichita Beacon
779:
768:
739:in a landslide by
710:Treasury Secretary
697:
549:
469:
460:Kansas Legislature
370:
330:Ohio Supreme Court
303:Connecticut colony
52:Vice Chair of the
35:Samuel B. Amidon (
1201:The Wichita Eagle
1171:The Wichita Eagle
1141:The Wichita Eagle
1111:The Wichita Eagle
856:The Wichita Eagle
744:Warren G. Harding
627:
626:
547:
546:
499:Samuel B. Amidon
236:
235:
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1339:Kansas Democrats
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1274:FamilySearch.org
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452:Republican Party
440:Democratic Party
434:Political career
228:
190:
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164:Democratic Party
149:
132:
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114:Personal details
102:
92:
83:
64:
41:
38:
33:
23:Samuel B. Amidon
19:
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1309:
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1301:. May 14, 1925.
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849:
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821:
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756:
748:Calvin Coolidge
689:
673:
632:
602:J.A. Brubacher
448:
436:
424:
375:
359:Sedgwick County
342:
334:Wichita, Kansas
295:
243:county attorney
216:
204:Oberlin College
192:
180:
176:
160:Political party
153:Wichita, Kansas
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134:
128:
126:
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105:James F. Conley
100:
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84:
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43:
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24:
17:
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11:
5:
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1256:Newspapers.com
1231:
1225:Niall Palmer,
1218:
1213:Newspapers.com
1188:
1183:Newspapers.com
1158:
1153:Newspapers.com
1128:
1123:Newspapers.com
1098:
1093:Newspapers.com
1068:
1063:Newspapers.com
1038:
1035:. May 9, 1925.
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993:
988:Newspapers.com
963:
958:Newspapers.com
933:
928:Newspapers.com
903:
898:Newspapers.com
873:
868:Newspapers.com
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636:Woodrow Wilson
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520:
515:
512:
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489:
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485:
482:
479:
476:
456:Populist Party
447:
444:
435:
432:
423:
420:
416:Wichita Beacon
374:
371:
341:
338:
326:Hiram Colleges
294:
291:
271:Arkansas River
259:Woodrow Wilson
234:
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230:
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194:
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178:
175:Alice N. Noyes
174:
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171:
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157:
156:
150:(aged 62)
144:
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34:
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2:
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1002:"Our History"
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917:
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786:
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771:
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753:
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750:in November.
749:
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656:Union Station
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400:state Capitol
395:
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388:
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383:Carrie Nation
380:
373:Carrie Nation
372:
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268:
264:
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256:
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231:
227:
223:
219:
212:
210:
209:Hiram College
207:
205:
202:
201:
199:
195:
172:
168:
165:
162:
158:
154:
145:
141:
137:
121:
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98:
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88:
82:
77:
74:
69:
63:
58:
55:
50:
46:
32:
27:
20:
1296:
1290:
1278:. Retrieved
1273:
1264:
1254:– via
1248:. Retrieved
1243:
1234:
1226:
1221:
1211:– via
1207:December 21,
1205:. Retrieved
1200:
1191:
1181:– via
1177:December 21,
1175:. Retrieved
1170:
1161:
1151:– via
1147:December 21,
1145:. Retrieved
1140:
1131:
1121:– via
1117:December 21,
1115:. Retrieved
1110:
1101:
1091:– via
1085:. Retrieved
1080:
1071:
1061:– via
1055:. Retrieved
1050:
1041:
1030:
1009:. Retrieved
1005:
996:
986:– via
980:. Retrieved
975:
966:
956:– via
950:. Retrieved
945:
936:
926:– via
920:. Retrieved
915:
906:
896:– via
890:. Retrieved
885:
876:
866:– via
860:. Retrieved
855:
846:
837:
832:
820:. Retrieved
814:
787:
784:
780:
769:
764:Amidon House
724:James M. Cox
721:
706:
698:
674:
665:
659:
652:
633:
621:
616:
613:Total votes
588:
583:
578:
571:
541:
536:
533:Total votes
508:
503:
498:
491:
464:U.S. Senator
449:
437:
429:
425:
415:
412:
396:
376:
343:
340:Legal career
315:
296:
285:the city of
283:
275:Amidon House
267:James M. Cox
238:
237:
148:(1925-05-08)
101:Succeeded by
80:
61:
1324:1925 deaths
1319:1863 births
1087:October 31,
862:January 18,
741:Republicans
717:Prohibition
387:Carey Hotel
346:cattle town
299:Perry, Ohio
146:May 8, 1925
136:Perry, Ohio
133:May 3, 1863
91:Preceded by
40: 1917
1313:Categories
1280:January 5,
1250:August 25,
1057:August 25,
1011:August 29,
982:August 24,
952:August 24,
922:August 24,
892:August 24,
822:August 23,
796:References
728:dark horse
648:New Jersey
598:Republican
573:Democratic
558:Candidate
518:Republican
478:Candidate
379:temperance
273:, and the
129:1863-05-03
95:John Davis
644:St. Louis
391:pool ball
381:activist
221:Signature
197:Education
81:In office
62:In office
737:defeated
493:Populist
309:and the
255:Democrat
735:, were
350:Wichita
322:Oberlin
287:Wichita
191:
179:
617:8,391
605:3,621
584:4,770
561:Votes
555:Party
537:9,378
525:4,524
504:4,854
481:Votes
475:Party
404:Topeka
354:Andale
185:
170:Spouse
726:as a
608:43.2
589:56.8
528:48.3
509:51.7
189:)
181:(
177:
1282:2024
1252:2023
1209:2023
1179:2023
1149:2023
1119:2023
1089:2023
1059:2023
1013:2023
984:2023
954:2023
924:2023
894:2023
864:2024
824:2023
762:The
746:and
622:100
542:100
324:and
187:1893
155:, US
143:Died
138:, US
119:Born
642:in
402:in
361:."
348:of
245:of
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1272:.
1242:.
1199:.
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1109:.
1079:.
1049:.
1021:^
1004:.
974:.
944:.
914:.
884:.
854:.
804:^
719:.
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484:%
410:.
313:.
281:.
183:m.
37:c.
1284:.
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131:)
127:(
42:)
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