The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-21
JAMES BURNIE BECK.
The Kentucky Senator Dies
Suddenly of Heart Disease.
Stricken Near the Spot Where
Garfield Fell.

James B. Beck, for twenty-five years
Representative aud Senator from the State
Of Kentucky, died in Washington at 4 CLOCK
In the afternoon, the immediate cause OF
MS death being fatty degeneration Of the
oeart, from which malady he had been suf-
fering for the past five years. He was in
the Baltimore and Potomac Railway station,
within 100 feet Of the silver star that marks
the spot where Garfield fell when struck by
Guiteau's bullet, when he expired. He had
just arrived on the limited express from New
York, and was accompanied by his daughter,
Mrs. Goodloe wife of Major Goodloe,
2f the United States Marine Corps.
rest Of the passengers and walked with his
laughter the entire length Of the platform
and through the gate leading to the station
proper He seemed to walk with an effort
ind to breathe with labor, but these symp-
soms were the usual accompaniments Of ex-
srtion with him for some months past. After
passing into the station the Senator and his
laughter stopped and were joined by his pri-
vate secretary, who had brought carriage
changed with regard to the care Of baggage,
when tho Senator placed his hand to his
head, saying II am so dizzy" and fell into
the arms of his companions. Mrs. Goodloe
was so overcome that she, too, fell upon the
platform. Tue Senator was carried to the
;uperntendent's room and died before a
physician could reach him. Ten minutes Ia
Ter the sad news was conveyed to the Senate
chamber. His colleagues were greatly
shocked aud an adjournment was at once
.aken Senator Blackburn, his colleague,
was judge at the race track when the sad
news reached him.
ool,1 frio rio
surprised at his sudden death. They have
known for long time that he was liable to
drop off at any moment.
Sketch of His Life.
Senator James Burnie Beck, Of Kentucky,
was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, on
February 13, 1922. He came to the United
States with his father, a hardworking Scotch
farmer, some twenty-five years later and
settled in Lexington, KY, in 1915. He had
4 fair academic education, an abundance of
hard Scotch sense, and an iron constitution.
He was penniless, but determined to get
enough money together to pay his way
through good law school. He wished to
teach school, but could find no chance near
Lexington. He applied to Drummond
Hunt a gentleman farmer in Fayette,
County, for a job at work in the fields. MIR.
Hunt made him overseer Of his farm. Young
Beck buckled down to work with will that
soon won him q big place in his employers
heart, He broke flax, sheared sheep, and
moved grass more skilfully and rapidly than
any other man on the farm. Evenings he
read books from Mr.. Hunts library and from
the office of q neighboring lawyer. He
saved his wages with the strIctest
wear resigned his job On Mr. Hunts farm
to begin his studies at tho Pennsylvania
University Law School. After his gradua-
ton he opened an Office in Lexington: His
speaking in court was so painfully bad that
he was butt Of ridicule for all the young
lawyers of the city. His first partners were
Ben Graves and Sam Shy, the son Of pro-
fessional cock fighter. Mr.. Beck left the
firm shortly to enter partnership with John
G. Breckenridge, who had just moved his law
Office from Georgetown to Lexington. Mr..
Breckinridge was famous for his oratory, but
had small reputation as lawyer He did
the talking for the new firm, and Mr. Beck
devoted himself to the hard legal routine OF
the office. While in partnership with Mr..
Breckenridge Mr. Beck married Miss Thorn.
ton, stepdaughter of General Clark, of
Virginia, and a collateral descendant OF
George Washington.
With Miss Thornton Mr.. Beck got dowry
Of $50, 600. He invested the money in North
western land, from which he made enormous
profits. He worked industriously at his
practice throughout the wa".
In 1866 he was elected to Congress. He
served four successive terms until 1875. In
1876 he was elected to the United States Sem
ate, and was appointed member Of the Com
mission to define the Maryland Virginia
boundary. he took his seat in the Senate
on March 4, 1877, and retained it until his
death. During his Congressional life Sena-
tor Beck served on many important COM
mittees, and took a prominent part in many
notable debates. He was specially inter-
ested in economical questions pertaining to
the tariff and the currency.
Mr.. Beck was constant diner-out and one
Of the most entertaining men who ever sat at
table. His fund Of anecdote was ine1haust-
Ible and talking came as easy to him as