The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-22
SENATOR BENTLEY EULCGY

Senator Bentley delivered the follow
ing biographical and eulogistic addres:
TO the senate in response to the resolu
ton on Senator Swearingen's death:
"Mr President: On an autumn day
of last year III the bright little city OF
! COncordia, Senator +. f. Swearingen
died by his own hand. Ga the morning
of his suicide he arose late, breakfasting
at about $3.50 a. m, remarking that he
would go out to his barn and that the
fresh air would do him good, as he was
feeling unwell. He passed through the
kitchen, pausing on tine way 10 kiss his
wife several times. On the way from
his house to his barn a neighboring lady
noticed that he paused several times
and look d back. If he had istened to
the promptings of his better angel when
he paused, when he gave the last ok to
his home. to the house then sheltering the
woman who had been his wife for more
than quarter of a century, the Thirty
second senatorial district of Kansas
would not today, be represented by a
new senator, a stranger in this chamber.
Upon entering his barn he fired the
fatal shot which ended his own life.
Some twenty minutes after Mr.. Cdell,
his father-in-law, going to the barn
found him dead.
When found he was lying on his back
with hi, left hand under his head and
his right arm by his side. the revolver
lying near by. The clothing was badly
burned where the bullet entered, show
ing that the muzzle of the revolver was
placed close to the breast.
Neighbors were summoned and the
body removed to the house, where doc
tors We're called and post norton eX-
animation held. It was found that the
ball. which had doubtless been intended
to reach the heart, entered about two
inches too low down, and hence had en-
tered the abdominal cavity, the shot
doubtless producing instant death, judg-
ing from the region the bullet penetra-
ted and there being no signs of a strug-
gle. In his coat pocket was a note adj
dressed to his wife, stating he intended
committing suicide.
The deceased had been in poor health
for three or four weeks and suffered
greatly from an attack of congestion of
the brain. This condition of his mind.
with his worrying over some business
matters, doubtless produced temporary
insanity, during which ne took his life.
No man in Concordia commanded
more general respect and esteem than f.
+. Swearingen, and for none viii more
sorrow and regret ever be given. He
possessed those noble qualities of mind
and character that made friends of all.
During his twenty-one years residence
in Cloud county be held many positions
Of honor and trust. which he filled
faithfully. honestly and ably. That he
should end so useful and prominent a
life by his own hands Is universally re-
GREETED and deplored.
Senator Swearingen was born in In
diana IN 1910. In March, 1851. he en-
tered the Union army as private; in
1862 lie ra-enlisted and served four years,
rising from private 10 Lieutenant ami
later to captain. lie took part in the
battles Of Corinth. Iuka. Jackson. Cham
pion Hill. Nicksburg, Missionary Ridge
and the Atlanta campaign. He was
taken prisoner at TIltou, Ga. IN 1854.
but escaped after being seven DAYS in
the Confederate camp. He was married
TO Alice \. Udell II Centerville, Ia.
February 4. 1864. lie settled on a
homestead two miles west OF COnCordia.
in 1862, and has ever since been a
prominent and influential citizen
Of Cloud county. He was county
commissioner OF this county from 1871
:. and county clerk from lS1S-SI and
county treasurer from 1sS2-S6. In ISIS
he was elected state senator from the
Thirty-second district, comprising Cloud
and Republic counties, which position
he held AZ the time of hls death. His
BODY was inferred in the Pleasant Hill
cemetery, whittier it was escorted by a
large representation OF the lodges Of
which he WAS prominent and highly
honored member.
had considerable acquaintance with
the deceased senator. He was a modest.
CONSCIENTIOUS. unasSumiDG gentleman.
Ny acquaintance with him began at the
commencement Of the last session. but
learned 10 respect him a q man and a
senator. His use OF honor was very
high, and his courtesy was prominent
ana constant tie was man Of good
judgment, prudent and industrious.