Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-05-05
DEATH OF SENATOR BECK.
fnE DgxOClACY LOSES 4 nIeSe HAN
PROy YnB SESAfI.
lie Drops Dead In Washington. Failing
Into the Arms or His Daughter
and Secretary.

0l0Q DuO000ly OF near Olb0nso WsSsS
moments warning at about o'clock on
Saturday afternoon. He Was IN the nalu-
moro a Potomac railway station, within
100 feet of the silver star that marks the
spot where GARFIELD Tell when struck BY
Giteau's bullet, when he expired. He had
Just arrived on the Limited Express from
New York and ,, xs: ,cccomPssn'sd1 PPsa q ~ ios n,s
GoodIoe, Of the United states Marine corps.
He rot OF the train with the rest OF the
passengers and walked with his daughter,
the entire length Of the platform and
proper. He seemed to walk with 40 effort
and to breathe with labor, but these symp-
toms were the usual accomplishments OF
exertion with him for some months past.
After. passing into the station they were
words were exchanged with regard to the
care Of baggage, when the senator placed
his hand to his head, saying, "I am %
dizzy" and fell into the arms of his CON-
panfons Mrs. Goodloe was 70 overcome
senator was carried to tho saperintendent's
room and died before . physician could
reach him. Ten minutes later the sad
news was conveyed TO the Senate chamber.
His colleagues were greatly shocked and
Sen tor BecI's friends were NOT greatly
surprised at his sudden death. Ever
since he was attacked with heart disease
more than o year ago they have realized
that he would never be himself again. He
has appeared In the Senate chamber Occa-
sionaiiy, but only TO remain few mo-
ments, and without taking any part In the
debates.
Many of Mr.. Beck's friends in Kentucky,
realizing that no never would regain his
health and strength, endeavored to per-
susde him to resign, 80 that the matter Of
successor might be arranged. He felt that
II he should resign his seat in the Senate
the last link that bound him to the affairs
of the world would be broken, and that,
easily give up the battle. He broke down
while engaged in the fall Of 1883 in fighting
tho tariff bill of the finance committee that
was before the Senate during all the cam
paign until within few days before the
report on that bill was the last great work
performed by Senator Beck. In the few
times that MIR. Beck has visited the Senate
chamber during the past year his col
leagues have noted with sorrow how
shrunk, and how feeble his step had be-
come. He maintained to the last, how
ever, his ruddy countenance.
Since the death of his wife. about four years
ago, Senator Beck has made his home with
HIS daughter, whose husband Is stationed in
New York. The senator's son is wealthy
and prosperous ranchman in Montana, and
has been in Washington but seldom in re-
cent years.
Democrats of all shades of opinion ex-
press the deepest sorrow snd regret at Mr..
Beck's death. Personally he was beloved
by every man who knew him, and as a
loyal fighting Democrat he had but few
equals. Since his death on Saturday after
noon there has been universal comment of
the fact that the two men in public life in
Washington more nearly alike in all the
qualities of true Democracy honesty,
statesmanship, shrewdness and ability -
were James d. Beck and Samuel ]. Han
dali. What Randall was to tho House
Beck was to the Senate. Finance and the
tariff were the two subjects upon which
Senator Beck was most at homo, but on
every subject that ever came before the
Senate he was always prepared to act and
speak. He did not have an enemy on
either side of the Senate chamber, and
those senators on the Republican side with
whom he most often crossed swords.
Senator's Allison, Sherman, Aldrich, His
cock, Morrill, and Jones, his Republican
great admiration for his talents, sturdy
honesty and warm hearted good nature.
His fund of anecdote was inexhaustible
and talking came as easy to him as swim
ming to duck. Indeed, 1t was often said
by public men that the two Kentucky v
time than any six women IN the United
States, Senator Beck loved horses and
dogs, and was we'll known figure on the
quarter-stretch whenever the Kentucky
horses were exhibiting their powers OF
speed.
Senator Sherman was much moved when
a reporter informed him of the sad fact.
He said he had served for long time with
Senator Beck on the finance committee,
and had formed high opinion of his abili-
ties. "He was" said sherman, "a man OF
strong opinions, vigorous intellect and
positive convictions. He was honest and
conscientious, and very stubborn. He was
. good senator, well equipped with great
variety of arguments. While we disagreed
in nearly all our opinions on political
questions, / had a sincere respect for his
honesty and manly and bold expressions
of opinion. He was very useful man
and his death will be greatly regretted by
ALL"
Senator James Burnie Beck, of Ken.
tuck, was born in Dunfriesshire, Scotland
on February l3, 1922. He came to the
United States with his father, hardwork
ing Scotch farmer, some twenty. two year,
later and settled In Lexington, KY, II
1916. He had a fair academic education, Al
abundance of hard Scotch sense, and ar
iron constitution. He was penniless but
determined to get enough money together
to pay his way through good law school
He applied to Drummond Hunt, gen,
tleman farmer in Fayette county, for job
Mr.. Hunt made him Overseer of his farm
Young Beck broke flax, sheared sheep, ant
moved grass more skillfnlly and rapidly
than any other man on the farm. Even
ings he read books from Mr.. Hunts librar,
and from the Office of q neighboring law
yer. He saved his wages with the strictes
parsimony, and at the end of the year 70
Aligned his job to begin his studies at tn,
Trsnsylvania University Law school
Aftsr his graduation he opened an Office
in Lexington. His speaking In court wa
20 painfully bad that ne was butt of ridi
Guile for all the young lawyers Of the city
His first partners were Bon Graves an,
Sam Shy, the son of a professional cock
fighter. Mr.. Beck left the firm shortly +
enter into q partnership with John {
Breckenridge, who had just moved hl
off1ce from Georgetown to Lexington. MI
Breckenridge was famous for his oratory
but had small reputation as lawyer. H
did the talking for the new firm, and Nj
Beck devoted himself to the hard legs
routine of the Office. While in partner
ship with Mr.. Breckenridge Mr.. Bee
married Miss Thornton, step-daughter {
Gen. Clark, Of Virginia, and Q collatera
descendant of George Washington.
With Miss Thornton Mr.. Beck got
dowry of $4,000. He invested the none
enormous profits. The firm Of beck
Breckinridge existed In name and "a
TIL the breaking out Of the rebellion. NJ
Breckenridge, then vice president, d
cided to cast his lot with the Confederac
He was accompanied to Georgetown
Mr. Beck, whence both were driven in
carriage with mad speed to Richmon
There Mr.. Beck left Mr.. Breckenridge
return to his Lexington Office. He workt
industriously at his practice througho
the war, aud conducted himself from Z