The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-22

partiality he always MANIFESTED toWaFos
his constituents when the heat OF the cam
paign was over and when he truly became
the representative of all the people without
renarC! to politics, but above all liked
MIN for his Democracy, and when say
Democracy, mean his sociabillty with
the humble and common aud the lowiy'
About eighteen months ago saw very
noticeable demonstration or this Democ-
racy. l happened to be at the railway
depot in one of the smaller cities OF toe
state and crowd of politicians were there
awaiting the arrival of Senator Piumb
and their congressional representative.
The train arrived and both gentlemen dis
mounted and Immediately wholesale hand
shaking commenced. An aged soldier
came hopping along leaning on crutch;
he must have been IS years old, he was
scantly dressed and physically wreck. He
appealed to the congressman with refer
ence to pushing his claims for pension
and just then it began to rain and without
hearing the story of the poor
old fellow the congressman sought
shelter The poor old fellow
was disappointed and limping over to me
said in despair: ''These big fellows won't
listen to a poor man." and a tear gathered
in the poor old fellows eye. Speak to Sen
ator Plumb said There he stands. The old
man hoped on his crutch again and ar
irving at where the senator was standing
be pulled at the skirt of his coat and with
o look of genuine compassion the great
big hearted Plumb turned around from
the prominent politician with whom he
was talking and extended his hand TO the
gray haired veteran who began to tell MS
tale of woe. At this moment the drops OF
rain became larger and more numerous,
but the senator did not seek shelter.
He pulled his felt hat down
over his eye, took out his note
book, took down notes of the old mans
pension story, proceeded to give him ad-
vice about pension claims and how to Sc
cure them as leisurely as if he was IN the
parlor of his home at Washington, and
verify believe be would stand there IN the
service of that poor old man for an hour II
it was raining cats and dogs. When the
old man had finished his story with the
senator be hoped back on his crutch to
where was standing and with tears In his
eyes, which will never forgret, he said:
Give minutes ago / regretted serving my
country-God forgive me for that thought;
now since | have talked with General
Plumb, l would willingly go to war Tor
my country, old rs l am, for four years
more, and not regret it" The action OF
the congressman made that man regret de-
| Tending his country; the action of Plumb
| in lending an attentive ear to the story OF
the veterans sorrows, renewed the spirit OF
patriotism within him and made him for
get the pains and aches that had for
| quarter of century afflicted him.
Mayor John B. Carey, Democrat, said:
Senator Plumb was good, great and
| honorable man. In his death the state
! sustains a great loss. l don't believe he
has an equal in the state today-at least
none who could so ably represent u.s. He
worked for the best interests OF the people
Of Kansas at all times. Senator Plumb
was always true to his friends, and was a
friend of every one, regardless of political
party affiliations.
HIS LAST SERVICE FOR WICHITA MAN.
Among the number mourning the death
of Senator Plumb yesterday, none showed
for him more sincere sorrow than Albert
/ p. Kemp. Everybody on Douglas avenue
knows Kemp. Among the younger class
and the old soldiers, he is known as "old
man Kemp" For fourteen years Mr.
Kemp has worked faithful for pension
He was good soldier, and now, and for 8
long time has been unable to work. He
has had many letters written to the de
partment by well known business men IT
this city. His case has hung along, be
has been examined numerous times
several times his case has been In the
hands of the special agent. During al
this time Mr.. Kemp has waited, anc
hoped. and his faith in Senator Plumb
never wavered, From time to time he re-
ceived letters from Senator Plumb reiat
ing to his pension claim; all of these letters
he cherished, and laid away boarding
them as the miser boards his gold. a fe"
DAYS since Senator Bentley handed lette
to Mr.. Kemp from Senator PUNT
that indicated that the pension was 7erl
near. Since that time Mr. Kemp has
been in the seventh heaven. YESTERDAY
his JOY reached a climax. 1t was causeI
by the following letter.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IA, 1871
DEAR SIR:-The pension claim No 2o5,
600 OF Albert p Kemp, p. o. Wichita
Kansas, issue Of Dec. s, 1891 has been al
lowed By certificate No. $780, 9Ol and will b
| forwarded TO the Topeka agency TO b
transmitted to pensoner
AS you have called up this case, deem
it but courteous that | should advise vol
of the final action taken. Very respect
fully, GREEN Is. RACA.
To Hon. P. 3. Plumb United states Senate.
This communication reached Mr.. KEN
Yesterday On its back was III slgnlh
cant message from Senator Plumb:
. Glad to send you this. Z. B. PLUMB.
As one of his very last official acts Sena
tor Plumb had succeeded with this pensio
claim. Inquiry among the old veterans
this city shows that this is not an isolate
case. 1t has happened often in this count
and in this locality. The old soldiers c
this city say that Senator Plumb is tn
best friend they ever had at Washington
MoURNED IN THE TERRITORY.
Great rs the mourning is in Kansas owe
the untimely death of Senator Plumb,
; Is scarcely less in Oklahoma. The senate
has ALWAYS been a tried and true friend c
the settlers of Oklahoma, and they regard
ed him in the same light as they would
: he was their own representative. Tn
deputy United States marshals are mourn
ing his death especially as he was thei
greatest champion in congress. Deput
= Marshal Ransom Payns OF Guthrie was i
l the city last night and stated that ever
deputy marshal in the territory is wearin
; Grape today as a mark OF their sorrow fo
! the departed statesman. Mr.. Payne II
! ceived a personal letter few days az
from the senator, in which he stated tina
, he had a bill prepared and ready TO intrt
IL. 4 rnar