The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-21
The Republican Leader Works
Himself to Death.
HE HEeDED NO MANS WARNING.
Self-Made Man and Graduate From
the Printers Case.
His Body Was Embalmed Against the
Widows Wishes-Some Talk OF Ap-
pointing ingalls, as His Successor
kansas fourBs Him.

of apoplexy. He had been i'll but few
hours, and the shock to his friends by the
sad event was most intense. He had been
in the United States Senate since 1876, and
by his prominence rs a Republican leader
he had become known throughout the
whole country. He died comparatively
alone, not a single member of his family be-
ing present as his life passed ont. His
successor will be appointed, not elected.
and already the name of Senator Ingalls,
has been mentioned to till the vacancy.
"Oh. my Godi My head, my headl' and
Senator Preston b. Plumb, who, rs the repre-
sentative of the state OF Kansas in the United
states Senate since 1876, has occupied a prom
inent place in the councils of the Republican
party, few minutes later fell unconscious
never to regain knowledge OF what was going
on around him.
II was quarter to this morning when he
uttered the above exclamation. little more
than five hours later the broad-framed, power
fui-looking man was stretched out dead in his
modest apartments in Fourteenth street.
His physician, Dr. Phlip Wales his clerk, B
W Flenniken, and his landlord, Mr.. Jennings,
were with him at the last. His wife and two
clildren are in Kansas.
Death came from apoplexy, clearly the result
of overwork. The senator had been known for
years as one OF the most energetic members of
the Senate. year ago he began to fall his
brain became affected and throbbing headaches
became more aud more frequent. Physicians
warned him continually that his labors meant
death, but he refused to heed their warnings
As TAR as outward appearances went he was most
vigorous looking and apparently the personiica-
tion of health. He continued TO work with the
energy OF ii steam engine, and today, when seem
ingiy in full vigor. he died.
TWO weeks ago he was troubled by failing
gh m al
men class "aphasia." He called in DR.. Wales.
The latter. after careful study, informed the
senator that the symptoms indicated apoplexy,
and that he must quit work, but Plumb thought
the doctor unduly alarmed. He kept up his
labors both in the Senate and at home. His
eyes troubled him, as did also his kidne Us, and
he had skillful specialists to examine him.
They reported that there nothing the mat
ter with those organs; that there was some
other trouble which confirmed DR. Wales dag
nosis. few days ago Plumb went to Phila-
delphia with Senator Quay to consult with Dr.
Pepper, and returned last evening complaining
OF violent headache but went to Il dinner
given by ex-senator Malone to few friends.
He returned home about l O'Clock in the
morning aud about . O'Clock called Mr.. Jen-
nings, his landlord, who lives above, and re-
quested him to come down and sit with him
he was i'll. Mr.. Jennings saw that his condition
was serious and summoned DR.. Wales. The
latter alleviated the pain and remained with
the senator until 6:3O, when he went away
leaving Plumb sleeping soundly. Fifteen min
utes later Senator Plumb awoke, bounded out
OF bed to the slop jar and began vomiting
When the vomiting ceased he raised his hands
to his head and exclaimed: "Oh. my God! NV
head my head!" These were his last words
Mr.. Jennings strokeG his head TO relieve the
pain and few minutes later the senator lapsed
into slumber. and soon after into unconscious
ness
About 10 o'clock Or Wales returned and saw
at once that the senator had been stricken with
apoplexy. He remained unconscious until the
end came ut Ii 30
DR.. Wales said that the immediate cause of
death was apopleXy brought on by fatty degen-
Grafton of the brain from overwork.
at 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"
News of the sad event spread rapidly Within
AL hour Senator PETER at the bedside of his
dear colleague, and Sergeant-at-arms Ballan-
tyne, OF the Senate. assumed direction OF the
funeral arrangements. An undertaken was
summoned and embaimed the remains his haste
III this matter giving rise 10 a distressing Incl.
dent shortly after emba,ming was COM
pleted a dispatch WIS received from the
widow. who is in Emporia. Kan, requesting
that the body be not emhamed. II was stated
three hours, in a state oi suspended animation
and 10 all appearances dead. Having that crisis
in mimi, Mr.. Plumb oii not wish thc body en-
balmcd until there no douat 0l death Tne
receipt of this telegram too iate caused much
unsyailiuS regret The undertaken and doctor
however, were positive that the senator was
dad. guard OF honor composed OF elnployes
oi the senate detailed 20 watch over the re-
nia'ns unul thcy were removed 10 the capitol
Vice President Morton and many senators
ca ed AZ the house durIng the afternoon Sen
aJor Plumb leaves vile aud five chlldren-two
daughters and three sons.
He was born IN Delaware county. Ohio. De-
tohcr Z, l>57, left the common school for the
printers case and, IN pursuance oI thai yoca-
ton, went h Kansas in 1SJ6. aud plunged al
once into the thick of the strife then rag n over
the slavery question. lie at once vent
l. the front and soon eclme lneTo-
her OF the Icayeuworth const;tu
toYal convention oi 1N59. was admitted
- the bar IN 1861, went - the legislature in 1.,
served ia The Eleventh Kansas infantry through
all grades from second lieutenant to colonel
After the war ne served again ~ the Kansas
ics;is atnIe, and IN ls76waS chosen nited states
senator {" succeed james VI Harvey Plumb
wss wealthy man, ana ia sGdit.on - hi, seua-
torlal duties, was actively concerned in railroad
aut industrial enterprises. anu was widely
known IN hlaucia! circles as an !udefatiguh3a
promoter
TOPEKA. ksEs., Dec. 2o--rhe news OF the
death ni senator Plumb was a great shock 70 his
II rat> IN kansas. No one thought ac had ls..,,
ai.iu-, sud the vigorous campaign ne Inad. lasI
la. 10 the Interests ol his party seemed q con.
Vluc'n ng prauf taIt Ms robust constitution WAS
ia the best condition. lie stnmped the state
from one end u the other, beng obliged In
undergo all the fatigue OF country
ciinpa.rn. Ills WORK VAS generally ere ilieri
" - having been the prime caus.. of Hepublican
V}ctoIy- Il IS not an exaEcyTatIou 10 say th..t
-nator Plumb WAS osle oi The most ponulsr
faen la halsas lie was the idol OF his own
Tasty aG4 regarded by his political opnonents
with respect.
Gae ka:lsa- law provides IN tAv event ~ tbo
death oi ssnator that the vacancy is n -.
tlisd by he governors appointment untiI tho
u-Nt meeting ol the legislature. The next 5eyfs-
anrc does uo; meet Js8t.l L year from uoyy.
Governor Humphrey was seen by g reporter Of
the Associated Press this afternoon He had
already been notified oi the senator's : death bv =
private aisfaicD sud was greatly shockc,I al The
news, - marh thai be had given no Thought
- 10 ihc senator's successor.
The name o. senator Ingalls, is .lrea.v
prominently mauuoned By politicians. IN fact.
no other name has received any mention at sH
At 10 o'clock tomorrow ihe body of tr.. late
senator Will be removed t. the marble VIM IN
the :. nate department. of the capitol AtI.l5
o'clock the holy wiI be removed - the senate
casmter, where niteen minutes later funeral
se-yiee will be he'd. A. 2:21 the boa- via lie
taken 70 TIE Pcuusy. yanIa railway station es-
coEted by committee OF the tive houses and