The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-21
SENATOR PLUMB DEAD.
The Distinguished Kansan Stricken
With Apoplexy, the Result
Of OverWork.
He Had Been Warned to Desist
But Refused to do as
Directed. .
Tho Wife's Telegram Forbidding En-
balIning Arrives Too Late to Stop
It-Sorr0w at HIS Home.

lt-SOrr0w at HIS Home.
WAsHlNdroN, Dec. 20.--"Oh, my God, my
head. my head!" exclaimed Senator Pres
ton B. Plumb. Who as representative of the
state Of Kansas in tho United States senate
since 1876. has occupied prominent place
in the councils Of the republican party. ant
few minutes later he fell u.conscioos
never to regain knowledge of what was 90
ing on around him. 1t was quarter tc
seven this morning when he uttered the
above exclamation. little more than five
houts later, the broad framed powerful
looking man was stretched out dead in his
modest apartments in Fourteenth street.
Ills physician. DR.. Phillip Wales, his clerk,
Il. w. Flenniken, and his landlord, Mr.
Jennings, were with him at the last. His
wife and two children are in Kansas. Death
came from apoplexy, clearly the result OF
overwork. The senator had been known
for years rs one of the most energetic mem
bers of the senate. A year ago he began to
fail, his brain became affected, and throb-
bing headaches were more and more ffe-
quent. Physicians warned him that a con-
tinuance Of his labors meant death, but he
refused to heed their warnings. As far aa
outward appearances went, he was most
vigorous looking and apparently the per-
sonification of health. He continued to
work with the energy OF steam engine,
and to-day when seemingly in full vigor,
died.
Two weeks ago Senator Plumb was
troubled by failing memory and other
symptoms which medical men class us
"aphasia." He called in DR.. Wales. The
latter, after careful study. informed the
senator that the symptoms indicated
apoplexy, and that he must quit working.
but Senator Plumb thought the doctor un-
duly alarmed. He kept up his labors both
in the senate and at home. His eyes then
troubled him, as did also his kidneys, and
he had skillful specialists examine him.
They reported there was nothing the mat
ter with those organs, that it was some
other trouble, which confirmed DR.. Wales
diagnosis. A few days ago Senator Plumb
went to Philadelphia with Senator Quay to
consult with DR.. Pepper. He returned last
evening complaining of violent headache.
bat went to a dinner given by Ex-
Senator Malone to few friends,
He returned home about one O'Clock
this morning, and about two
O'Clock called Mr.. Jennings, his landlord,
who lived above, and requested him to
come down and sit with him as he was ILL.
Mr.. Jenningssa the senator's condition
was serious and summoned DR.. Wales.
The latter alleviated the rain aud remained
with the senator until 6:30 a. M, when he
went away, leaving the patient sleeping
soundly. Fifteen minutes later Senator
Plumb awoke, bounded out of bed to n
slop jar and began to vomit. When the
vomiting ceased. hs raised his hands to his
head and exclaimed, "Oh. my God, my
head, my head" These we're his last words.
Mr.. Jennings stroked his head to relieve
the pain, and in a few minutes the senator
lapsed into slumber and soon after into un-
consciousness. About 10 O'Clock DR.. Wales
returned and saw at once the senator had
been stricken with apoplexy. He remained
unconscious until the end came at 11:3O.
DIR. Wales said the immediate cause of
death was apoplexy, brought on by fatty
degeneration of the brain from overwork.
tit was clear case of overwork," said the
doctor. IF he had given up some time
ago. it would have been different but no
man could stand what he WAS doing in his
condition.
The news of the sad event spread rapidly.
Within an hour Senator PETER was ut the
bedside of his dead colleague and Sergeant
at-Arms Ballentyne. of the senate, as
sumed the direction of the funeral ar
An undertaken was sum-
moned and embulmed the body. His haste
in this matter gave rise to a distressing in
cident Shortly after the embalmlng was
dispatch WIS received flom tho
widow, who is in Emporia, Kansas, request
ing that the body be not embalmed. 1t
was stated that last summer Senator
Plumb was, for two or three hours, III
state of suspended animation and to all
appearances dead. Having that Crisis in
mind. Mrs. Plumb did not wish the body
embalmed until there was no doubt of
death. Tho receipt of this telegram, which
came too late. caused much unayalling re-
gret. The undertaken and the doctor. how
ever. are positive the senator was dead. A
guard of honor, composed OF employees of
the senate, was detailed to watch over the
body until it could be removed to the capi-
tol. Vice-P President Morton and many
senators called at the house during the
afternoon.
At 10 O'Clock tomorrow the body will be
to the marble room in the senate
wing of the capitol. AT 1:l5 O'clock 1t will
be removed to the senate chamber whore
fifteen minutes later the funeral service
will be held. AT 2:30 the body will be taken
to the Pennsy lvauiu railway station, es-
cortea by Il committee Of tho two houses,
md the members Of the senate on foot. 1t
will be taken to Emporia, Kansas, where
The interment will be made.
Senator Plumb leaves Il wife and five
two daughters and three sons. lie
was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Oct.
", 1857, left the common schools for the
printers case, and in pursuance of that vo-
cation won't to Kansas in 1856, and plunged
1t once into the thick of the strife then
aging over the slavery question. He at
once went to the front and soon became
nember of the I.eavenworth constitutional
of 1859. He was admitted to
he bar in 1861, went to the legislature in
S62, and during the war served In the
Eleventh Kansas infantry, through all
,rades from second lieutenant TO colonel.
\fter the war he served again in the Kan
ns legislature, and in 1876 was chosen
United States senator to succeed James nj.
Iarvey. Senator Plumb was wealthy
nan, and in addition to his senatorial
inties was actively concerned in railroad
md industrial enterprises and widely
,nown IN financial circles as IN indefatiga-
,le promoter. af
The dead senator had, during his public |
areer. made many visits to Helena and
ther parts of Montana. and had hosts Of
riends in that state. He had large prop
rty interests in Helena, and when here |
wo years ago with Senator Vest was gwen