The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-02-09
[correspondense Of tho n. Y. Post
Death Of Preston g. BROOKS Uncommon Size
Of ths Corpse -Charastsr and History OF tho
Deceased,

WAsHIkGTos, Jan. as.
Preston 8. Brooks died at Browns Hotel
las, nj ght, Of quincy, about twenty minutes
be fore seven. He had been sick only since
Sunday, and to the last neither his friends
nor himself anticipated fatal result. In
the morning of yesterday he was seized
with choking spasm, which was soon re.
lieved, and on the return Of the psroyysm
recourse was had by Or. Boyle to salt and
water, the drinking Of which was followed
BY the commissions of which he died. Just
before his death he was sitting up in bed,
his colleagues, Orr, Mcqueen and keitt.
and his medical ate ndants, Drs. Boyle and
Hall, being present. He breathed his last
in the arms Of Mr.. Mcqueen.
The deceased leaves a wife and -four or
tiye small children, none of whom have
been in Washington during the session
They now reside on Mr. Brooks plantation
in South Carolina, whittier it was intended
10 transmit the corpse to-day. The under.
taksr, however, was unable TO furnish col.
dn large and long enough--the most ample
metallic coffin in his establishment being
only six feet four inches in leagth, whereas
the deceased required no less than s.x feet
six inches long. He says that Mr.. Brooks
was the largest framed and longest man
who ever died in Washington. The con.
sequence is that mshugony lcofhn lined
with lead had to be prepared, which will be
ready Tomorrow morning, when the body
will be sent 10 South Carolina.
This morning the Senate and House, i'm.
medistsl, on assembling, adjourned wilhou,
announcing the death Of the member de.
ce ssed-an extraordinary proceeding. The
friends Of Mr.. Brooks said they were not
prepared with their obituary addresses, ard
another day will be occupied in listening to
them. The Southern members are dis.
posed TO pay unusual honors TO the de.
ceased.
M. Brooks, at the time of his death. was
about thirty seven years OF age. HE mad
nearly served two terms in Congress, and
had been reelected for third. On the be.
ginning of his congressional life he was not
remarka BILE for his sectional sympathies; 10
fact, he rather gave offence to the nulllfef.
OF his State by the tolerance and so.caiied
"nauoDap' character Of his views and asst-
Citations. lie was for long time decided
favori,e among northern members and their
families. He strongly supported the Kan
sas bill, and his speeches on that and other
topics were spirited and argumenthtiye.
Mr.. Brooks was an attractive and brilliant
orator, having tall, commanding hgure, a
military carriage, a clear-toned inspiring
voice, and a rosy, youthful countensnce,
with black hair and sparkling eyes, and q
heartiness OF manner which was well cal.
culated to secure the friendly regard of his
acquaintance. For time his originally
generous nature was spoiled by the adula
ton Of his southern friends, which followed
the deed which, at the North, had so dis
honored his name. .......a
Mr.. Brooks has served as lieutenant in
the Florida war, and successfully as captain
and colonel in the war with Mexico. Al
the battle Of Chepuitepec he lost two
brothers, and received wound himself in
the eide, which, to some extent, impaired
his bodily health for the rest OF his lite. a
ball received in duel had slso rendered bis
left arm nearly helpless.