The Globe-republican., 1891-12-24
DEATH OF SENAT0R PLUMB


DEATH OF SENATOR PLUMB
Another Case Of Public Man Working
Himscif to Death.
WASHINGTON, d. C.-Scnator Plumb died
ut about noon on Sunday, of apoplexy, In
his rooms on Fourteenth street. His death
was caused by overwork. His capacity for
work was never equalled by United States
senator. He had beea repeatedly warned by
his hysians of the absolute necessity to take
a long rest, and he was in the habit of plan
ming short vacations in the near future. but
could not let go of his work, which he rushed
night and day.
DIR. Wales, when asked to make a state
ment Is to the cause of the senator's death,
said:
to death. His death - the result Of fatty de-
generation Of the brain, caused by unremit-
ting application to his senatorial duties. The
vital tissues were displaced by fat. In my
opinion he could have never been made a
well man again. Absolute rest, If taken .
few days ago, might have delayed death
awhile. but the fatal issue was inevitable. He
did not realize his condition until a few
weeks ago. Senator Plumb consulted me on
the 9th of December. Tbe complained of
vertigo, persistent pain in the head, chiefly
located in the forehead, impaired memory,
growing inability to express his ideas with
appropriate words, impaired vision, sleep.
lesSnesS and arrangement OF the functions
of the stomach and bowels. l noticed more
or less confusion of ideas IN that conference,
and an uncertain and staggering gait in
walking. He said that he first became
alarmed while on a sleeping car on his way
from Kansas to Washington. the early part
of this month, when he had a severe attack
of vertigo while attempting to read n news
paper. He said he had been attacked In this
way several times. He was greatly worried.
he came ur to see me almost every evening,
and would talk an hour or two about his case.
don't think, however. that he ever told any
one that he was consulting me. With me he
was frank and told everything. am sure he
knew he was on the eve OF some terrible
change. l made thorough examination a.
to the condition of his kidneys. which were
found sound. His eyes had been examined
by occuists, but no glasses had been pre-
scribed that gave any relief to his vision.
The liver and stomach had been carefully
explored without discovering anything fur
ther than functional arrangement. My con-
clusion as to the nature of the case was that
there was textural alteration in the brain,
probably OF an atherOnatOuS character. He
was advised to give up his work at once and
to seek recuperation IN rest, diet and change
of climate. This advice it was the senator's
intention to adopt in a few days, as soou As
pressing engagements permitted. l told
him not to delay it day. When was called
this morning at o'clock, saw in a minute
that he was In n terrible conditions; that there
was little hope for HIM. The immediate
cause of his death was apop.exy. II he had
recovered from this stroke he would have
been confirmed paraIytic and could not
have lived more than ninety days.
eyes " said the doctor clOano e
other case of public man who has killed
himself with OverwOrk. He tried to perform
the work of three or four men. The man
does not live who can do that any length of
time"
Senator Plumb was born in Delaware Co..
Ohio, Oct. II, 1857, and was in his 55th year
As schoolboy, an apprentice, a journeyman
printer and an editor he resided in OHIO I'M
til 1856. At this date he came to Kansas aud
located IN Saline county. The next year he
went to Lawrence, from which place he went
to EmpOra, In March, 1857. He was one of
the original company for the organization of
the town. In June. 1857. appeared the first
number of :he Emporia News, the paper
which he founded. he was admitted To the
bar in 1e61, but Immediately recruited two
companies for the Eleventh Kansas repi-
ment. He was mustered in with this regi-
ment as second lieutenant. From this posi-
ton he was steadily promoted to the position
most active frontier warfare. HIS career
since the war has been an open book in every
Kansas household.
EMPoRIA, KAN.-News of the death of Sen
ator Plumb reached here at noon, and found
Mrs. Plumb attending divine service at the
First Congregational church.
As is we'll known Mrs. Plumb has been an
invalid for years, and it is only of late she
has been able to 60 out at all. even To
church.
1t was not until after services were over
and she had returned to her residence that
the sad intelligence was broken to her by
Mrs. Calvin Hood and Mrs. l. E. Perley,
both of whom have been warm personal
friends of the family for years. 1t was in
dles did their sorrowful duty, but notwith-
standing all their kindness the shock was
terrible, and for a time it was feared the de-
voted wife would 70 low her husband. But
later she rallied, and now bears up under
her load of sorrow with great fortitude.
TOPEKA. Ks.-The first news oil the death
of Senator Plumb was received in Topeka,
a few minutes after his death, by q dispatch
to f. Z. Baker from n. r. Baker who was in
Washington.
This news was rapidly spread BY tele-
phone, and soon others, many public men
and officials. received personal kilograms.
This city was in mourning almost before
VIC iOvcu 00udtOE uNu Ccd0cQ DICdtOtUR.
WASHINGTON, December 21.-1he remains
of Senator Plumb were taken to the capitol
at 10 o'clock to-day, ana laid in state IN
Marble hall until l o'clock at which hour
services were held in the senate chamber.
Vice President Morton presiding. President
Harrison. all cabinet officers, diplomatic
officers ana members of the house were
present.
A: $40 p. m. the journey to Emporia. Kan
sa>, the senator's home, was begun.
Senators PETER of Kansas. Cockrell Of
Paddock of Nebraska. and Dolph
of Oregon, with Congressman Funston and
Congressman Broderick are in the party
which accompanies the body. and Charles Il.
Reed of Maine, assistant sergeant at arms of
the senate. is in charge of the funeral train,
shich consists OF two sleepers.
Town Lot Jumping.
guthrie. o. THE widest excitement
prevailed all night over Secretary Mobiles
decision giving 80 acres more to the town
site, and thousands of people staked
out lots and slept on the cold ground all
night.
This morning 1900 people are on the