Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-12-21
SENATOR PLUMB DEAD
The Kansas Statesman Ex-
pires Very Suddenly.
CAMPAIGNING BROKE his HEALTH

10 Ahethan from ActiNo Wofk Lest
Brain Trouble Might Set In.
wAsHIEeToE, Dec 2l.-senator Preston
B. Plumb, Of Kansas, died suddenly Of apo
plexy shortly before noon Sunday. His
death occurred in the unpretentious three
story boarding house, ei0 Fourteenth street,
In which convenient location he had for the
last five or six seasons taken up his quarters
during the sessions Of congress In very
short space Of time the news spread over the
city, and the expressions Of regret were uni
versal and not confined 70 any political
party.
Vice President morton's Visit.
Vice President Morton, accompanied by
Mrs. Cameron, wife Of Senator Don Gamer.
on, Of Pennsylvania, was one Of the earliest
callers and placed his services at the dis
posal Of the friends Of the dead senator.
Senator PETER, Mr.. Plumbs Alliance col
league, remained in attendance several
hours, answering questions and rendering
any assistance in his power. During the
afternoon nearly every senator in town
either called in person or sent message of
coincidence, and some Of the most earnestly
expressed Of tho latter came from senators
on the Democratic side, by all Of whom the
Kansas statesman was respected Mr.
Charles B. Reade, assistant sergeant at arms
Of the senate took charge Of the remains
and caused kilograms to be sent 10 the alb
sent wife and children q the dead senator
accompanying Ruined Its Health.
Mr. Plumb hia been ailing more or less
ever sinoe the close OF his herculean labors
In the last campaign in his state, which re-
suited so satisfactorily TO himself and his
party. He was at an times an indefatigable
worker, but In this campaign he outdid
himself. On his return 20 Washington he
attempted to throw into his senatorial duties
his accustomed nrdor, but complained that
he could not concentrate his faculties with
his accustomed readiness. He felt dazed
and uncertain both mentally and physicnlly
Preliminary symptoms Of the disease which
finally carried him Off with such startling
rapidity We're not wanting For weeks
past, when he had occasion TO write let
ter personally, tho lines wandered up and
down the page in the most irregular man
ner greatly differing from his usual precise
bankers chirogaphy, and he found diff
Guilty even in signing with regularity those
letters which his SECRETARY prepared for him.
His Mind Failing Also.
On the street he occasionally lost himself
Several days ago, just after the opening 81
the senate, walking with Colonel L. C.
Manning, his frequent companion, he stop
ped as Mr.. Manning was about 60 leave
him, and said, Don't go, Manning; / want
you 60 stay by me; I don't know exactly
where am" He thought the trouble
might arise from some impairment of his
vision, and after the adjournment Of the
senate on Thursday last went 20 Philadel-
phia, where bis eldest son is under treat
ment for defective eyesight to take advice
in his own case The eminent medical man
he consulted told him frankly that unless he
gave himself an immediate rest and exer-
cised the greatest care, softening of the
brain might result. With this warning
ringing ia his ears he returned 10 Washing
ton with O determination that after the sem
ate adjourned for the holidays he would re-
turn TO Philadelphia and place himself un-
der the care Of DR.. Pepper for n prolonged
course Of treatment. He even mentioned
70 friends that he might return to phila-
delphia without waiting for the adjourn
mert Of the senate. He came back by the 6
o'clock train and went 70 Chnmberlins res
taurant for dinner. He took his seat at one
Of the small tables in the rear Of the public
dining room alone
Feared the Grip.
Senator Plumb was remarkably abstemi-
Gus man in his habits, and he did not depart
from his usual custom on this occasion He
partook of no wine or other stimulant Ex-
Senator Mahone, Of Virginia. Mr. Frank
Hatton OF the Washington Post, senator
Squire and his private secretary Were at the
adjoining table. They all entered into con-
versation with Mr.. Plumb, but IN the midst
Of it the Kansas senator stopped and drew
out bottle Of medicine, which he shook up
and took a dose Of, remarking with an apol-
ogy for his doing so, that he was feeling
quite sick and feared he was going to be laid
up with the grip. He would not even yet
admit the grave brain trouble Of which he
had boen warned.
A Doctor Summoned.
From Chamberlin's he went home to his
somewhat dismal rooms and went TO bed
About 2 o'clock in the morning he aroused
his landlord, Mr. Jennings, saying he felt
really III, and asked him to send for a doctor.
DR.. Philip S. Wales, ex-surgeon general Of
the navy, was summoned and remained IN
charge Of the case until the end. Hypoder-
mic injections were administered, and about
z o'clock in the morning the senator became
unconscious and continued in a state Of coma
with scarcely any intermission until his
death. just before he dozed of he raised his
hand to the back Of his head, where he had
all along complained Of feeling intense pain,
and exclaimed, "Oh, God, my head
The End Came Suddenly.
Shortly after II p m. he commenced to
breath stentoriously and Mr.. Jennings, who
was watching by his bedside with the SEN
ator's secretary, became alarmed. When
Dr. Wales arrived the senator's face had
turned purple, and il was apparent that
apoplexy had supervened. The surgeon
called for stimulants, and Mr.. Jennings ran
to a neighboring drug store az 4 seized some
spirits, with which he Immediately re
turned.
1T is too late" said Surgeon Wales, and
almost Immediately aftorward the senator
expired.
There were round his bedside at the time
of his death besides his physician, ex-Sur-
geon General Wales, Mir B. T. Flenniken,
who for many yeors has been clerk of the
committee on public lands, Of which SEN
ator Plumb was chairman. and has acted as
his private secretary, his landlord and other
attendants
DR.. Wales says the immediate cause Of the
senator's death was apoplexy, brought on
by fatty degeneration OF the brain from
overwork and fatigue
EBorn in Ohio in 1857 be was fifty-four
years Of age. Before he became a lawyer
and banker he worked ct the case as a