Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1918 — FORMER VICE PRESIDENT FAIRBANKS CLOSE TO DEATH [ARTICLE]

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT FAIRBANKS CLOSE TO DEATH

Indianapolis, Ind., • May 20. Charles Warren Fairbanks, former vice president of the United States, is in a critical condition at his home here tonight. Two attending physicians declared Mr. Fairbanks was showing some signs of improvement, but that he had been unconscious for the greater part of the day. The former vice president has been confined to his bed for more than a week. Three of his children, Mrs. John W. Timmons, Warren Fairbanks, and Fred Fairbanks, are at his bedside. Another son, Richard, is with the colors. Mr. Fairbanks has been in ill health ever since the last presidential campaign, when. Ke was the running mate of Charles Evans Hughes. He is said to be suffering with Bright’s disease and his chances of recovery are admitted to be only slight. Mr. Fairbanks began his public career more than forty years ago, taking an active interest in politics from the time that he located in Indianapolis in 1874 for the practice of law. His activities in state and local politics caused him to be sent to the three national Republican conventions since 1892. He was the caucus nominee of his party for United States senator in 1893, but was defeated by David Turpie, Democrat. In 1897 he was chosen senator and 'served until he became vice president in 1905' with Theodore Roosevelt as president. While in the senate and as vice president he won a reputation for aloofness and reserve. His advocacy of 'buttermilk as a beverage made him a favorite of humorists. Originally Mr. Fairbanks was an Ohioan, having been born on a farm in Union county.