Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-17
DIED AT HIS DESK.
DIR. T. W. KEEN, OF DANVILLE.,

sad Scene In the HOUSE or DELEGATES
A Leading Member Dies Very sRd-
denny.
DR.. Thomas W. Keen, member Of the
House Of Delegates from the county Of
Pittsylvania and city Of Danyille, died
in his seat in that body at about 1890
O'Clock yesterday. The House was con-
sideriDg resolution offered by Mr.. Nun
ford as to the practicability of furnish
ing free books without increasing taxa
ton, to which Mr.. Waddill had moved
an amendment that the report of Super
intendent Farr be printed for the use Of
the Committee on Schools and Colleges
and members Of the House. This
brought DR.. Keen to his feet. lie began
in his usual vigorous way to oppose the
amendment lie charged that the men,
Der from Henrico wished to have Super
intendent's Farr's report printed at the
expense Of the State and circulated be-
cause it was partisan document. In
his judgment Mr.. FarI's report did not
furnish any information that was not
contained in the report of the Committee
on Schools and Colleges.
Then branching out in reply to re-
marks that had fallen from the lips of
the member from Henrico, DR.. Keen
said Whenever anything comes be-
fore this House, whether for good legis-
lation or otherwise, the minority on this
floor could not recognize the fact they
were defeated by the will of the peo-
ple.'
MIR. FAIRS REPORT.
Mr.. Pollard (Democrat), Of King and
Queen, who occupied the desk behind
DR.. Keen, next got the floor, and pro-
ceeded to oppose the amendment offer
ed by Mr.. Waddill. lie began by say
ing that he held in his hand the report
of the Superintendent Of Public In
structioD, in which the Superintendent
stated that he was unable to give
the approximate number of books
which would be necessary for
the free schools Of the Common
wealth. He further said that the
last annual report of the Superintend-
ent, remarkable to say, contained re-
port of a decision of the Supreme
Court Of Virginia, which was purely a
legal question not affecting the free
schools Of the Commonwealth, yet it
had been published as part of the re-
port Of the Superintendent and scat
tered broadcast over the Common
wealth as a campaign document. And
now it was asked that another re-
port of Superintendent Farr be pub
lished, a report which the gentleman
from llenricO admitted that he had not
read and did not know its contents,
although the report was made in an
swer to an inquiry by the Legislature.
DIR. KEEN DYING.
At this point Mr.. Dunlop, OF Rich
mond, Mr.. Ashton Starke, Mr.. Grims-
ley, and others, noticed that DR..
Keen'S face was ghastly and that his
head had fallen back. Supposing that
be had tainted, water was dashed on
his face, and he was taken from his seat
and carried to window. Numerous
doctors were soon by the side of the
unfortunate gentleman, and the city
ambulance having been summoned, and
the doctor in charge (Field) having
brought with him a galyanic battery,
hat was put in use, but without avail.
She seal Of death was stamped un-
,nistakably.
The event caused great excitement in
he House, and, of course, the business
was brought to a sudden halt. For
good while members were hopeful that
the doctors would pronounce it mere
faintiDg spell. Their inquiries Of the
medical gentlemen were eager and FREE
quent, and, for time, the answers
were vague, but, at last, all sorts Of
restoratives having been Intellectually ap-
piled, the doctors said he was dead.
The body was then removed from the
hall of the House to the Office of the
Clerk.
RESOLUTION IN THE HOUSE.
The House having been called to
order, Mr.. Stribling, the Oldest men,
Der, in point of service, on the floor,
presented the following resolution which
was adopted
Whereas this House has Just witnessed
with profound sorrow the death Of Dr.
Thomas w. Keen, delegate from the
county Of Pittsylvana and city of Dam
vile,
Resolved, That a committee of five on the
part Of the House and three on the part Of
the Senate be appointed In connection with
the Sergea OF the House OF Dele
gates 20 take charge OF the remains OF the
deceased and accompany them TO his home
at Danville, and TO attend the funeral. and
that the same committee report on Monday.
the 25th day of January, 1856, suitable
resolutions commemorative OF the worth
and ability OF the deceased. the loss to his
Commonwealth In his death. aud express
ing our sincere sympathy with his frieLfs
and family in their great bereavement.
ResOtred, That this body do now adiourn
% further mark OF respect to the de-