The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-24
DEATH CLAIMED HIM.
Senator Preston B. Plumb Suddenly
Passes Away.

Senator Preston B. Plumb Suddenly
Passes Away.
Suddenly ss washisgtos sasaay at
I1:50 o. m.-Hs Worked fer his
Country and People, and
Died In the Harness.
We take from the Mondays extra edition
Of the Capital, the following account OF the
death OF Senator Plumb, who died of apo
piexy at his rooms on Fourteenth street In
Washington, Sunday at II so a. m.
His death was caused by overwork and his
failure 10 take any physical exercise. His
physician. DR.. Pepper Of Philadelphia, warn.
ed him last summer that he was injuring
himself by overwork, and told him that he
should take a long rest.
The Senator planned a trip TO Europe with
George II. Peck and Colonel Rossington. At
the last momefl he decided not TO so-his
doctor again advised him TO take a vacation,
but he said he could not leave his work.
Then he went out to Kansas and took an
active part IN the campaign, and business
matters In that state also took his attention.
The result was that when Senator Plumb re-
turned TO Washington upon the opening Of
the Fifty-second Congress he had not days
rest. He was still worn out, and yet he en-
tered upon the work with all his might.
The retirement of Senator ingalls, and of
six Kansas congressman who had become
familiar with the work required OF the menu
Der of congress, more than doubled Senator
Plumb's business. Consequently the senator
had been overwhelmed with business in the
ct hah 1d ma h.a hofnr
Two weeks ago he became alarmed for the
first time about his health, but il is not likely
that be mentioned the matter 20 more than
half dozen people In Washington.
On December he went to DIR. Wales, n
prominent physician In Washington, COM
planning OF vertigo, and a persistent pain in
his head. He thought at first that IL was
kidney trouble; then stomach troubles. The
doctor made careful examination of the
senator, and told him that he had simply
worn himself out, that he must take rest i'm
mediately or his health would soon be
seriously impaired.
patch me up until Congress adjourns for
the holidays" said Mr.. Plumb, "and then
will run away for day OF two"
The doctor advised him not TO walt until
the adjournment OF congress-, but Mr.. Plumb
continued to work almost night and day.
He was at every session of the Senate, At
tended all the committee meetings, visited
the departments regularly every day, and
looked after n Thousand and one matters
which half dozen ordinary Senators could
not have attended TO.
His capacity for work has never been
equalled by a United States senator. All
this time he was feeling bad. A pain In his
head was troubling him day and night; but
he was apparently so robust and healthy that
very few few people noticed his condition
When questioned during the past week oy
that he was alarmed about his health. and
that he felt obliged TO run away from his
work. SO reticent was he on the subject,
however, that he had spoken OF his health
but once, and then In an abrupt manner to
his private secretary and Intimate friend
Frank Fienriken, saying that he was feeling
out OF sorts and was going TO take rest dur
On Thursday Senator Plumb became thor
oughly aroused as TO his dangerous condition
and started at once for Philadelphia to con-
suit the family physician. DIR. Pepper, telling
his secretary before leaving that he was
going 10 visit his son Amos, who has been
under DIR. Peppers treatment At Philadel-
phia for the past year. He remarked also
that he was going to have a talk with DR..
Pepper;
DIR. Pepper told him he must stop all work
at once, that he must take at least three
months of absolute rest. He advised him to
start at once for Florida or the Bermudss
and get entirely away from communication
with the world.
ar You do not you will not live another
month, the Doctor told the Senator.
He returned 10 Washington last evening
at O'Clock and went 20 his room. He was
discouraged and realized fully that his health
was broken down. To Mr.. and Mrs Jen-
nings, with whom he lived, he said: al have
got 70 throw up the sponge. IL Is all up with
me-"
some time of the Senator's condition, told
him TO quit At once.
Nevertheless, he went out for the evening
and took dinner with General Frank Hatton
and other friends nj a cafe. He said nothing
to them of the consultation with DIR. Pepper,
and never complained. IL was noticeable
however, that he ate but very little dinner,
and Mr.. Hatton remarked afterward that
Plumb looked tired and worn ont. He was
In good humor, and talked entertainingly all
evening, yet II was plain 70 those around
him that he was troubled. He returned TO
his room Mt midnight, and Immediately took
of his coat and went to work. A large mail
which had accumulated In his absence was
gone over, and forty letters, which his steno-
grapher had prepared during the day, and
which only awaited his signature, were read
by him, corrections were made ard his sig
nature attached.
About / o'clock he retired, and a few
minutes after 2 O'Clock, he knocked at the
door of Mr.. Jennings, on the second floor
above his own room, and said:
"Mr. Jennings, am very sick MAJ, i
want you TO get doctor. Ihave an excruciat-
ing headache"
Mr.. Jennings started at once for DIR. Wales,
who arrived within fifteen minutes and
found the Senator suffering terribly. He
complained OF pains in his head.
He was in terrible agony and implored the
doctor to give him something at once to re-
leive the awful pain in his head.
DIR. Wales AT once sent for some morphine,
aud while the messenger was absent the
Senator walked wildly up and down the floor
with his hand To his head, almost CRYING
with the intense pain.
One-eighth of grain of morphia was ad-
ten minutes the Senator fell into a pleasant
sleep.
The doctor remained until 8 O'Clock. and
sprang from his bed In an instant and vomit-
ed freely. He was still suffering, and clasp
ing hts hands to his head, said: "Oh, my
head! oh, my head!
These were his last words.
Mr.. Jennings, who YVES nursing him, help
ed him back 10 bed. He rolled about on the
bed a few minutes, and then fell into aquIet
sleep. About 10 O'Clock Secretary Flenniken
dropped into his chamber and found the
Senator sleeping. At l:3s he began TO breath
heavily, and flenniken sent for DR.. Wales.
He came five minutes afterward. But IL
was too late. He found that senator Plumb
had some time during the morning been
stricken with apoplexy.
blue, his tongue was paralyZed and swollen,
and the pupils OF his eyes were widely dilated.
Nothing could possibly have been done TO
save him. He breathed heavily, but was I'M
conscious.
He died peacefully and in the presence
only OF his doctor, Secretary Flenniken and
Mr.. Jennings.
No one else had known Of the attack, and
those who were with him throughout the
morning did moi realize the condition he
was In.
THE EEws
spread over Washington in q very short time,
and caused the greatest CONSERVATION
among public men, Many who had believed
Senator Plumb TO be one OF the most robust
men 10 the senate could not believe the re-
port OF his death, and came to his office to
confirm the news. Within one-half hour
more than a dozen senators, including Man
derson, Carlisle, Hiscock, Plat, Frye and
PETER, had reached the rooms of the dead
Senator.
Soon the Kansas men learned of Il, and by
l O'Clock more than a score, including Judge
Chandler, Ex-Governor Crawford, Ex-Con-
gressmen Turner, the alliance congressman,
j. III. Franklin, Fred Stucks, congressman
Funston, Justice Brewer and others were
there, To all IL seemed almost Impossible Of
belief.
Notice was sent to the sergeant at arms OF
the Senate, and four capitol policemen were
detailed as a guard. The sergeant-a At arms
took charge OF the body, which was at once
embalmed and placed In an open casket In
the Senator's rooms.
The stars and stripes and large wreath OF
beautiful roses covered the casket. During
afternoon hundreds Of people called to see
the body. The face looked natural and
showed that the Senator had passed away
calmly.
BREAKING THE EEws TO HIS FAMILY.