Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-01-31

James ". DHIUfS.
examination to its preparation. He knew of
an amendment that was to be offered to his sec
ton of the bill and was preparing TO knock it
out point Of order. For two hours more
before he was stricken he had been preparing
an argument to sustain the point of order he
purposed making. He labored earnestly at it.
He had his notes complete and was awaiting
his opportunity.
The House was in committee of the whole,
Mr. Dockery. of Missouri, the chair Colonel
Burnes seat is nearly in front of the Speaker,
on the last row the Democratic side, near
the main entrance. Ben Butterworth of Ohio,
an associate of Colonel Burnes the appro
priatiOn committee, had finished making a
speech. and Mr.. Burnes started to confer with
him. The two men met IN the main aisle, when
Burnes put his hand against his face and com
planned of a sudden violent pain in his head. At
the same time cigar that he held betw cen the
fingers of his left hand dropped to the floor.
He stopped and picked it up and held it in his
left hand. 1t dropped to the floor again, he
being unable to holdit He complained of sick
ness to Butterworth, and the latter twitted him,
saying that perhaps he was 'out too late last
night Burnes shook his head and began to
stagger. Butterworth then perceived that he
was really very i'll, and, grasping his arm, he
led him quietly to the appropriation commit
tee room. A lew minutes later the left side of
his body from his groin up became paralyzed.
Representatives Gallinger. of New Hamp-
Z,
sicians, were summoned and devoted them
selves assiduously to the stricken man. Mr..
Randall, the members of the appropriation
committee and the Missouri delegation crowd
ed into the room ami a state of great excite
ment prevailed in the House. After awhile the
room was emptied of all but the physicians
Mr. Randall and Mr.. d. D. Burnes, the stricken
mans
He began to grow worse gradually. He first
complained at 2:30 and at four o'clock he was
taken from the Capitol, placed in carriage
and driven to his apartments at Wizards
Hotel. Soon after his arrival at the hotel it
was discovered that his entire left side, from
foot to head. was paralyzed. He became very
restless and his mind began to wander. He
made several efforts to get up against the pro-
tests of his attendants, and the efforts caused
rush of blood TO the head, intensifying the
malady. He began to grow worse rapidly. II e
became entirely unconscious and almost
speeches.. In couple of hours his pulse fell
from - to 81. His breathing became heavy and
labored and he gradually fell into a stupor.
Visitors were excluded from his rooms and
Waterman placed at the door who denied all
except the doctors admission.
Mr.. Dockery, of Nilsson II, a physician. aided
DR.. Sewers and Mr.. D. d Burnes in attending
to the stricken man Nearly every member of
the House called at Wizards during the even
ing to inquire into Colonel Burnes' condition.
He was one of the most popular members of
the House. Men of all parties delighted to call
him friend The shock almost Frustrated Mr..
Randall, who has been very near to Colonel
Burnes during the 1atter's service in the House.
Mr. Randall remained in the committee room
until Colonel Burnes was removed to his hotel,
and then went home. Mr.. Dockery, who was
in the chair allowed debate on the Sundry
Civil bill to drift along, nobody caring to take
a vote during Mr. Randalls absence. In fact.
the incident of Colonel Burnes' sickness had
the effect practically of destroying the legls-
lative day in the House.
For some time back Colonel Burnes has been
apprehensive of some such misfortune as over
took him. A few weeks ago. in conversation
with Mr.. Dockery, he became very much de-
pressed over his physical condition. and told
Dockery that he rested poorly and frequently
suffered torments during the night He said
that often he left his bed and staggered to a
writing table and made few notes that in his
then condition he would not be surprised II he
did not die within few hours. He made note
of his state of mind to leave evidence
that he expected something in case any thing
serious happened to him.
Colonel Burnes loved life and knew how to
enjoy 1t. A wealthy man, he could afford to in
dulge his tastes and he did so. He was in the
true sense of the word temperate man. He
preferred a carriage to astreet-car and INDUCED
his fancy. He was always hearty, generous
and kindly. He was one of the best-equipped
men in the House, and ranked as one of the
ablest men in the body. He was never a demon
stratiye man, and seldom spoke in the House.
but when he did he never failed to command
attention
From all accounts Colonel Burnes was not
taken unawares He had been apprehensive of
attack for some time. RepreSen tatlve Barry,
of Mississippi sits on the next seat to that oc-
cupied by Burnes, aud yesterday he left the
House early and at night attended party.
While at the party some one mentioned to him
that member of the House had stroke OF
paralysis. He asked instantly if it were not
Colonel Burnes. Being answered in the aff1rm-
atiye he said that when Mr.. Burnes took his
seat in the House yesterday morning he Barry
asked HIM how he felt Mr.. Burnes said he did
not feel right: that his system was out of gear
some way and that he felt as if he were on the
brink of a stroke of paralysis. This, taken in
connection with the fears expressed to MIR.
Dockery seems to be conclusive that he was
apprehensive of danger.
: He was q man well-read in every thing. and
understood the premonitions of approaching
physical dissolution. But he was man of
courage and never gave way outwardly to his
fears He always maintained cheerful ex-
terror He was a conscientious worker. and on
the powerful committee of appropriations Ia
bored hard. When he entered the House at
the commencement of the Forty eighth Con-
gress the appropriations committee was the
most powerful subdivision of Congress. Then
riders were placed on appropriation bills en-
! bodying the most important legislation OF Con-
gress Mr.. Burnes entered Congress without
! a great reputation, and ! was great honor 70
be placed upon such an important comnittee
| at the start He labored to deserve the honor
conferred He worked night and day to study
the details of the monetary systems OF the Gov
erumeut, and mastered it. He became, next to