The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-21
Third Edition
THE LATE SPEAKER KERR.
Last Hours of a Great and Good
Man.

BY American Press Association to the STAR.
NEW YORK, August 21.-A special
from Rockbridge Alum Springs, says
Speaker Kerr expired precisely at 1920
z. NJ. Saturday. The last half hour was
painless aud peaceful. He was sur
rounded by his wife and son, his Secre-
taries, Messrs. White and Scudder, nd
Mr.. Cox. Mr.. Cox states that on Fri
day Mr.. Kerr conversed in whispers nd
intelligibly, giving directions to his Sc c.
retary on private matters, and words of
consolation to his wife.
Dir. Pope was in constant attendance.
Mr. Cox asked him if he was ready to
go. He expressed his entire content
with heroic gentleness. He conVersed
freely about the future world, its reward,
hopes and expectations with calmness,
and he had suffered SO much that he de-
sired to be relieved, and yet he would
not have his pain aleyiated so as to dis
tract and cloud his mind. He based his
hopes of better world upon the justice
and beneVolence which he had en-
deaYored to illustrate in his life.
About 2. NJ. death seemed to set in,
his breath came short and feeble. He
sank into a collapse, and seemed in
great pain, and was heard to whisper
''sutfocation," yet amid all he showed
great iortitude and recognized his
friends. He pressed the hands of Cox
and Montgomery Blair, eXclaiming to
the former, Good by, dear friend; God
bless you" His pulse ceased at the
wrists, ard his limbs grew cold as mar
bic. At 2. Nj. the breathing grew
ha Lao tn ho
wrist.
He impressed his views upon his son
who is just entering manhood. Mr..
Kerr's frame was mere skeleton; there
was really no flesh lett. The backbone
was apparent from the abdomen. The
wonder is thft he survived SO long. He
recognized everybody TO the last. He
talked of the country, of his relations
and OF politics with Mr.. Cox, and eX-
pressed his hopes as patriot in the
present struggle. He was proud Of the
part he had taken i'll public affairs.
AS sunset drew near Dr.. Pope asked,
''Do you suffer any painW Kerr shook
his head. ''Do you feel any easier now?"
He nodded IN reply. Then as the sun
sank his breathing became faint and his
and friends gathered around him, and
the last heart breaking tarewells were
taken. lie died very gently ana peace
fully just at sunset. He was little over
forty y.nine years of age.
Preparing for the Funeral.
WASHINGTON, August 2l.-Hon. Milton
SayIer and Mr.. Adams, Clerk of the
House, left here last night for Rock
bridge Alum Springs, to assist in max
o., rap hn fr
monies OF the late EX-Speaker. An
embalmer was sent down on Saturday
night, and casket similar to he one in
when Vice President Wilson was buried
was taken down, but tonight arrange
ments will be made to take the body
from the Springs over the Chesapeake Il
OHIO Railroad 10 Huntington, thence by
steamer to Cincinnati.
1t was expected that after Mr.. Kerrs
death his body would be brought to
Washington and be placed in the Speak.
er's room at the Capitol for few days,
giving the members Of Congress remain
ing In the city, as we'll as the citizens of
Washington, an opportunity to pay their
respects TO the remains Of the late
Speaker which his exalted position in
life demanded, but the absence of the
Sergeant-at-Arms, the only officer who
has authority to incur the expenses nec-
essary to an arrangement OF this kind,
prevents it being carried into effect.
Mr.. Adams, the Clerk, has taken the
responsibility of having the body EN-
balmed and procuring suitable casket
in which to transport the remains to the
home of Mr. Kerrs family at New AL
bany.
Notwithstanding that his death was
hourly expected at the time Congress
adjourned, the only measure passed by
that body in contemplatlcn of the sad
event was the incorporation in the Leg
islatiye and Judicial Appropriation Bill
OF the following significant clause:
"The Clerk of the House of Repre-.
seutatives is authorized and directed to
sign, during the recess of Congress Of
the first session, and Until the first day
of the second session, tine certificates
tor the monthly compensation of men,
bers of Congress, which certificates
shall be in the form now in use, and shall
have the like force and effect as given to
The certificate OF the Speaker"
Hon. Milton Sayler having been elected
TO serve as Speaker only during the alb
sance Of Speaker Kerr, the decease of
Mr.. Kerr leaves the House OF Repre-
sentutives without presiding officer.
On the reassembiing OF that body in
December next IL will be the duty of the
Clerk to call the House to order and to
preside until Speaker is duly elected.
No other business can be transacted by
the Housa. however, prior to such elec-
Lion.