Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-01-18
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
of the Alexandria GAzErra)

RICHMOND, Va, January 1I.-lhe suo'
den and untimely death Ct DR.. Thomas w.
Keen, member of the House of Delegates
from Pittsylyania, has cast a gloom over
the General Assembly. His death recalls
that of the late Senator Cochran, who rep
resented Augusta county in the Virginia
Senate some ten years ago. Senator Coch-
ran was taken suddenly i'll in the Senate
and lived short while after he was carried
to his room at the hotel. DR.. Keen died
instantly. He did not say word after he
had taken his seat, but when he had finish
ed speaking on the resolution pending, Mr..
Dunlop, of Richmond, noticed astrange look
about DR.. Keen's face, and at once started
to 90 to him. Before Mr.. Dunlop could
reach him DR.. Keen had fallen over on his
right side and his head was resting against
Mr.. Pollard's desk. Mr.. Pollard was speak
ing at the time, and as he uttered the words,
"The report of Superintendent Farr was
scattered broadcast over this Commonwealth
as campaign document" DR.. Keen fell
lifeless before him, and Mr.. Pollard, contin-
ing, uttered another sentence before he
knew that Dr.. Keen had been taken ILL.,.
The several physicians who fastened to DR..
Keen's assistance, were frequently asked if
they thought that the attack would prove
fatal. They did not reply, but worked with
all their might and main to resuscitate DR..
Keen by rubbing him from head to foot.
Death was soon apparent, and in i've min
utes after DR.. Keen was attacked J. his fea.
lures seemed to indicate that he had passed
away several hours before. In his speech
he had in legitimate debate attacked Dele.
gate WaGdill, the republican member from
Henrico, and Mr. Waddill was waiting an
opportunity to reply. A warm and spirited
partisan debate had begun, and Mr.. Wad
dill, the leader of the republican faction,
had mapped out in his mind what he would
say. But his reply never came, and when
it became known that DR.. Keen was dead
no man in the House was more affected
than Mr.. Waddill. In an instant politics
were discarded, men who had but few
moments before stood as democrats fighting
republicans, and republicans fighting demo-
Gratis, now struck hands and together wept
over the lifeless body of a brother Delegate.
The scene was dramatic, and was one that
will not soon be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. DR.. Keen was man of strict
integrity of character, and he represented
his county in the House OF Delegates with
ability. 10 give an idea of the true charac
ter of the man will relate an incident in
his legislative life told to me to day. At
the last session of the General Assembly,
when DR.. Keen was serving his first term,
Judge Henry w. Flournoy and Capt. Ham.
Shepherd were mentioned in connection with
the office of Secretary of the Common
wealth. Judge Flournoy was born and
raised near Danville, and like his father be-
fore him he is loved and honored by the peo-
pie of that growing section, and was their
choice for the Office to be filled. At that
time DR.. Keen and Judge Flournoy were
but slightly acquainted and Just previous to
the nominating caucus Judge Flournoy went
to DR.. Keeu's room at Ford's Hotel, and
meeting the Doctor he said to him doctor,
l trust can get your support for the Office
for which am applying" To this the Doc
tor replied. Il would like to have you and
Ham. Shepperd together, want to talk to
both of you about this matter" Captain
Shepherd was found, and before opening
the conversation Doctor Keen rested one
hand upon Judge Fournoy's shoulder, and
the other upon the schoulder of Capt. Shep-
perd. To the latter he said: Ham, knew
your father before you were born, he was
my intimate friend, and I loved him. I
also have the same kind feeling for you that
I had for your father and if l had to con-
suit my own personal feelings in this mat
Ter would unhesitatingly vote for you.
But the people of my county prefer Judge
Flournoy. They know Judge Flournoy,
and I know that it is their wish that
should vote for him, and, therefore, hope
you will not be offended if vote against
you" Captain Shepherd pleasantly re-
marked, Doctor, you can vote for him and
not work for him." To this the Doctor re-
piled Ham, when my people desire Ger.
tain man elected then 1t is my duty not only
to vote for that man, but to work for him,
and shall do it." The three parted good
friends. Ham,. Shepperd never thought
less OF his fathers old friend for the course
he took, and Judge Flournoy was more than
ever impressed with the inflexibe character
of DR.. Keen.
A. W. Harris, the colored delegate from
Dinwiddie, whose name and character was
severely dealt with by R. l.. Mitchell, col.
ored, late treasurer of the Petersburg Nor.
NAL School, when Mitchell gave in his tes-
tmony before the committee appointed to
investigate the affairs of the school, has
been permitted to reply to Mitchell's testi
mony. In replying Harris makes out that
Mitchell has lied from beginning to end.
Harris's statement closes the testimony and
Senator Jones has commenced to digest
the evidence preparatory to making out a
report.
MIR. Ryan, of Loudoun, who introduced
the resolution requesting Supt. Farr to pre-.
sent statement of the cost of furnishing
free text books for the children of the Com
monwealth, has made an estimate of the
cost of the books. He says it will exceed
81 900, 900 year. B. P. O.
THE GREAT AMERICAN CHoRUs.-Sneez.