Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-02-03
HIS LAST CALL.
Death of Joe Rankin, Representative
From the Fifth Wisconsin DtHtrict-A
Long Season of Suffering Closed at
Last-Congressiona1A elton.

Last-Congressiona1 action.
Joseph Rankin, member Of Congress
from the Fifth Wisconsin District, died
att his lodgings on M Street, Washing
ton, on the afternoon of the Oath. A
couple of weeks ago he was very low,
but rallied and for few days was
around and apparently very comfort
able. For forty eight hours he had
been in q dying condition, being at
times delirious. Fears were entertain
ed that he would be attacked by con-
vulsions, but, happily, these were
avoided. In the morning it was ep-
parent that he could not last through
the day, and during much of the fore
noon he was delirious. One side was
paralyzed, but he gesticulated wildly
with his other arm, imagined q num-
Der of his congressional colleagues
were present, and addressed them,
called for DR.. Gray, of Milwaukee, and
tried to make a speech on the Fitz
John Porter case. The physicians,
fearing commissions, about noon ad-
ministered opiates hypodermically,
and he quieted down and became per-
fectly rational. His two children,
Jennie and Joe. were in an adjoining
room, and the dying man, hearing
them crying, had them brought into
his room, and was just able to sum-
mon up strength enough to throw his
arms around them and bid them good
bye. He was passionately devoted to
his children, and his farewell to them
was hea1t-rending. At half-past he
became unconscious, his breathing in
creased in difficulty, and at minutes
to 2 he died, There was with him in
his last hours his wife, his two chill
dren, his brother, John Rankin, Of
Binghamton, n. Y, and Mrs. Ran
kin's sister, Mrs. Miller, of Chicago.
Mr.. Rankin had been for some time
before Congress met in an advanced
stage of Brignt's disease, but insisted
on being sworn in as g. mem
Der of the new Congress, though
he had to bring physician with him,
and it was feared he would die on the
way. For several days after he ar
rived he frightened up and seeEed
pretty comfortable. He was often In
the lobby of the Ebbitt House, talking
with his friends, and attended some of
the sessions of Congress. In accord
ance with usage Congress will vote
his family his salary for the remaining
fourteen months of his term. Had he
died without being sworn in Congress
would probably not have extended
this favor to his family. In the case
of Mr.. Schleicher, of Texas, and in his
clone, during recent years, Congress
voted the family the salary for the I'M
expired term, though Mr.. Schleicher
had not been sworn in when he died.
It is also in accordance with Congress
sional usage that the House of Repre-
eentatives should defray all the ex-
penses of Mr.. Rankin's funeral.
At the capitol, on Monday, flags
were half masted over both House and
Senate and the dead congressman's
desk and chair, were entirely en-
veloped in broad folds 2of Grape and
q beautiful tribute of Marechal Mel
roses and other flowers were placed
on the desk. AS soon as the
reading of the journal in the House
was finished Gen. Bragg took the floor
and announced the death OF Repre-
sentative Rankin and said that at
some future time he would ask leave
to make appropriate and extended re-
marks on the life and services of his
distinguished colleague. Gen. Bragg
then offered the following resolutions
which were adopted:
Resolved, That the House has heard with
sincere regret the announcement OF the
death of the honorable gentleman, Mr..
Rankin, late representative from the state
| of Wisconsin.
Resolved, By the House of Representa-
| tives, the Senate concurring, that a special
! ioint-committee of seven members from the
| House and three from the Senate be APP
pointed to take measures for superintend-
| ing the funeral and escorting the remains
of the deceased to Wisconsin, and the neces-
sary expenses shall be paid out OF the con-
tingent fund of the House.
Resolved, That as a mark OF respect for
the memory of the deceased, the House do
now adjourn.
Speaker Carlisle announced the fol-
lowing committee from the House: Rep
resentatives Bragg, Van Setback, Ste
venson and Guenther, OF Wisconsin;
Carleton, of Michigan; Henderson, of
Illinois, and Johnson, of New York.
The House then adjourned.
| In the Senate Mr.. Sawyer called up
! the House resolutions on the death of
Representative Rankin and they were
adopted. Senators Sawyer, Black
burn. and Jones, of Arkansas, were
appointed as the senatorial commit
tee to escore the remains to Wisconsin.
Upon motion of Mr.. Sawyer the SEN
ate adjourned out of respect to the
memory of the deceased