The National tribune., 1891-12-24

luhctlons OF the stomach and bowels noticed
more or less confusion Of ideas in conversation
and an uncertain aud staggering gait in walk
ing. thorough examination made as to the
condition Of his kidneys found them sound.
His ewes had been examined by an Oculist, but
no glasses prescribed that gave any relief to
bis vision. The liver and stomach had been
carefully explored without discovering any
thing further than functional arrangement.
My conclusion as to the nature Of the case was
that there was textural alterations in the brain,
probably of an atherOmatous nature. He was
advised to give up work at once, and to seek
rest, diet and change for ultimate recuperatiOn.
This advice 10 was the Senator's intention to
adopt in few days, as soon as pressing engage
ments permitted"
THE FUNERAL
The body was placed in handsome cedar
casket, and at 10 a. m. was conveyed TO the
Capitol and placed in the Marble Room.
When the Senate assembled. with Senator
Henderson in the Chair, Senator PETER arose
and said
:" Mr.. President, ! esteem myself peculiarly
unfortunate in that, before have been a mem
Der OF this body long enough 10 have become
familiar with even the dimensions Of the cham
Der IN which we sit, i am called upon 20 an
nounce the death Of my distinguished coll
league, upon whose wonderful resources had
expected largely to rely. Preston b. Plumb,
t7tudAoI VI hdHb8-t uleu IN THIS civ Yesterday
at 10 minutes before II o'clock This is not the
time or the occasion 20 speak at length Of the
llie and public services Of the absent Senator.
The dark drapery about the seat SO long occu-
pied forcibly reminds his fellow members that
they have lost one Of their most active and
industrious workers.
" His experience, his practical way Of doing
things, his sagacity and his great powers Of
endurance, his cOnstancy and faithfulness on
duty aud al 81 -.
conspicuous figure among the strong men Of
the Nation. But there are others who feel
this bereavement more keenly than We upon
whom the blow has fallen with crushing
weight There is a home whore this man was
known as the world knew him not. a place
where hearts are lacerated end bleeding where
loving family will be glad, even ia their
griei, 10 receive az our hands what is left of
the fond husband and father in whose life
theirs were closely bound. To them there are
At least two sources OF cOnsOlatiOn-One that
he fell while on duty at his post in the service
OF his country; the other that there is a fount-
ain Of strength infinite in power and duration
from which We all may draw in time Of need.
At the proper time i will ask the Senate 10
name time when we may pay tribute to our
deceased brother ia an appropriate manner"
he closed by Offering the customary Tesolu-
tions Of coincidence.
At p. IN. Vice President Morton took the
Chair. The Chamber had in the meanwhile
been prepared for the solemn occasion. The
galleries were crowded. The President, accom-
panied by Private Secretary Halford, aud most
OF the members Of the Cabinet arrived and were
seated on chairs in front OF the Vice President
They were joined by Gen. Sehofeld aud Com
modore Ramsay, representing the Army and
Navy, and about 30 members of the Diplomatic
Corps. The House Of Representatives. headed
by the Speaker came over in a body. aud took
the seats generally occupied by the Democratic
Senators.
The ceremonies were brief. but impressive,
aud At the conclusion the body was escorted to
the depot.
THE DEAD SENATOR'S CAREER.
Preston b. Plumb was born in Delaware
County o., Oct ~, 1891 of Yankee stock His
parents were poor, but highly respectable and
possessed OF sterling sense and virtues He
received an ordinary education in the rude
country schools Of the day, and at an early age
entered a printing office. Before he reached
his majority he started a paper in Xenia, o.,
which was "A success, but the struggle In Kan
sas attracted him thither. tie sold out his
paper and emigrated TO Emporia, Kan, where
he ever afterward made his home tic at once
threw himself into tho struggle with all his
energy 10 make Kansas a Free State and in
June, 1867, established the EmpOria Nelrs, one
of the most vigorous aud TesOlute OF the Free
State organs. During this time he performed
act of unselfsh heToism, which nearly cost
him his life. Learning that a man was lying
out OH the prairie at the point of death with
the smallpox, with no one TO attend him,
he obtained a wagon, drove out 10 him.
brought him back 10 town and nursed him back
TO life narrowly escaping death himself from
an attack Of the same disease. He became a
member OF the famous Leavenworth Free State
Convention. He studied law, was admitted TO
the bar, and became reporter Of the first
Supreme Court of Kansas. but resigned this
position at the outbreak of the war TO raise
company for the Ilth Kan. in which he
became a Second Lieutenant. His energy,
courage and sOldioTship brought him
rapidly 20 the front. lie was soon made a
Captain, then Major and Lieutenant Colonel.
He commanded his regiment In several battles,
and was commissioned Colonel, but his regi-
ment did not have sufficient men to allow him
TO he mustered. He behaved with conspicuous
gallantry in the engagements at the Big Blue,
Lexington, the Little Blue, Fort Wayne, Cane
Hill, Prairie Grove, Westpurt etc.
lie returned 10 EmpOFia at the close OF the
| war; resumed the practice OF the law, built M
! a fine practice was elected Member Of the
Legislature. aud Speaker Of the House. He also
went into the real estate business, aud was un-
usually successful. His health failed. lie
was compelled TO Telinquish the law
but no devoted himself to banking, real
estate and cattle-raising. In 1876 ho he
| came a candidate for the United States Senate,
and after heated contest was elected, defeat
ing number Of prominent men. He was re-
elected in 1888 and again Ia 1899. His term
would have expired in 1888
lie leaves widow, three daughters, and two
SOILS.