The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-05-29
STOPPED BY DEATH
Tragic Interruption in the
Briggs Case at Detroit,
JUDGE BRECKENR1DGE EXPIRES
Stricken Down by Heart Disease at the
Close of Speech.

The General Assembly Greatly Excited.
The Session at Once Adjourned-The
Dead Jurist's Remains Sent to St. Louis
In General Alger's Private Car-Dr. Pat
toms Remarks Create Sensation.
DETROIT, May 99-Judge s. NJ Brecken-
ridge fell dead while addressing the
Presbyterian General Assembly here dur
ing the afternoon.
Anything more terribly dramatic it
would be difficult to imagine. The
great body Of intellectual churchmen
was at fever heat over the Briggs mat
ter. Friends and opponents had alike
been under great excitement discussing
the famous case.
Sarcasm Made a Sensation.
DR.. Patton had stirred up the delegates
by a brilliant and sarcastic address
against the transfer business. He first
hit the committee, then he castigated the
Cody brethren who could condemn
brother without the most minute inves-
tigation. Every word he uttered seemed
like a bullet fired into the Assembly.
"Think of it," he exclaimed, "by your
very resolve you infer that Dr. Briggs is
guilty of offence. You cast reproach upon
his good name and cripple great school,
already sufficiently afflicted.
"If DR.. Briggs can historically justify
his views he has a right to hold them. l
do not know what he could do in that line.
Then is it not true that the Bible was
sometimes put at the threshold of houses
to keep out spooks"
Here the doctor was interrupted for
several seconds by his auditors, who did
not care to hear his harangue. Excite
ment increased every moment. But the
doctor went right on and made his
| sledge-hammer blows right and left.
Judge Breckenridge's Speech.
Judge Breckenridge followed and his
speech was not unworthy Of a good man
| about to meet his God 1t was calm,
dispassionate, evidently sincere, and its
| closing words were tribute to the sense
of duty Of the assembly. He stated
the legal points in the Briggs case.
Years ago, he said Union Seminary was
INDEPENDENT, but in 1871 became Presby-
terian, and, of course, the assembly from
that time controlled the appointments.
eff we don't vote now" he said, tive
never can. Dr. Logan's amendment for
deferring action is impracticable. We
view transfer from one chair to another
| Gne same as al appointments we Vttl w
nothing wisely except disapprove. l think
it is wise not to assign reasons. A judge
sometimes cannot give all the reasons
| for his decisions on the bench. But,
without assigning other reasons, it does
seem to me that the mind of the Church
for some months has been anxious and
that we should relieve it,"
His closing words were; 'Now, gen
tlemen, feel that 1 have discharged my
duty, and wish to be excused from fur
ther speaking"
just as Judge Breckenridge finished
his remarks, he turned partly toward the
temporary clerks desk, gasped and fell
to the floor insensible. He was carried
to the ante-room and DR.. Yemans at
tended him, but in few minutes he was
dead. The cause of death was pronounced
to be heart disease.
The shock to the assembly when Judge
Breckenridge's death was announced
was perceptible one, The debate was
discontinued at once.
A committee was appointed to take
charge Of the remains and prepare 6
minute to be presented to the assembly
The funeral committee accepted Gen. AL
gers tender of his private car to take the
body home, and the remains were shipped
60 ST. I,ouis