The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-04
A TRAGIC SCENE.
Judge Breckenridge. Of st. Louis. Drops
Dead While Discussing tho Briggs Case
Before tho Presbyterian Assembly ut
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Judge Breckinridge. OF st. Louis Drops
Dead While Discussing tho Briggs Case
Before tho Presbyterian Assembly ut
Detroit.
DETROIT, Mich, May 29.-The pro-
ceedings against DR.. Charles Augustus
Briggs, of Union seminary, in the Pres
byterian general assembly were tragic
ally and solemnly interrupted Thurs
day afternoon. At 2:30 o'clock the
Presbyterian general assembly recon-
vencd and resumed the discussion Of
the resolution disappearing of DIR.
Briggs appointment to the chair Of
biblical theology, which had consumed
all the morning hours Judge $. M.
Breckinridge, Of st. Louis, one OF the
elders of the committee on theological
seminaries, took the platform in de-
fense of the report submitted Wednes-
day night by DIR. Patton, the chair
man, and in support of the resolution
of disapproval. The speaker was the
picture of vigorous old age. His hair
and beard were frosted with time, but
his figure was erect and his speech,
firm and decided in the begin
ming. gave no indication of the
approach Of death. Yet within if
teen minutes from the time he
stepped upon the platform in the glory
of splendid manhood, in the fullest
possession of uncommon mental at
tributes and apparently of physical
powers far greater than men OF his age
usually enjoy, his lifeless form was
carried from the audience-room of the
Fort Street church.
He made a strong address in behalf
of the committees report. His voice
was clear at the outset, but became
husky and broken after time. Then,
in evident haste to finish, he grouped
his principal arguments and ad-
vanced them without elaboration
and in short, emphatic sentences.
Finally he was seen to waver
and reached for the desk of Rev.
Alexander q. Russell. the temporary
clerk, for support. He said. s'Now,
gentlemen, l feel that l have dis
charged my duty and wish to be ex-
cused from further speech. My voice
troubles-I have-I have done my duty.
/"
His voice died away, and turning
half round, as if to leave the stage he
fell to the floor. His failure of speech
was attributed by the great audience
to emotion created by the important
sAbject under discussion. At
once dozen willing men seated
upon or near the stage sprang
forward to save him. Hundreds
in the audience rushed forward moved
by the same desire. The quick, deci-
sive voice of Clerk w. H. Roberts avert
ed crush: 'Stand back! Stand back.
Let him have air. The men slowly
settled back in their seats; the women
wept silently. The aisle was cleared
| and tender hands bore the strick IN
man to the room in the rear of the
pulpit
DIR. Yemans, of Detroit, and DIR. Cor
nelius Shepard, of New Brunswick, re-
sponded to the moderator's request for
medical attention. Every means
known to medical science for produc-
ing artificial respiration and winning
life back were vainly applied. The
heart ceased to beat before the
PROSTATE man had been lifted. sHeart
failure was the cause assigned for the
death.
Meanwhile the members Of the as
sembly who had not seen the set
features of their fellow-commissioner
as the body was carried out be-
lieved or hoped that the illness
was but temporary, not mortal.
DIR. Hays, of Kansas City, arose
| in the silence that fell upon the
people and suggested that a prayer be
offered DIR. Hays himself was desig-
mated by Moderator Green and with
every head bowed and with the words
echoing in every soul the invocation
went upward. This finished, delegate
arose to move an amendment to the
pending question.
Let us first hear from Judge Brock
inridge. do not suppose began
DIR. Hays. At this juncturc messen-
ger hastily stepped upon the platform
and whispered to DIR. Roberts. The
stated clerk turned to the assembly
and said in a low and suppressed but
penetrating voice: Judge Breckin-
ridge is dead" There was solemn
| hush.
1t was the climax of day which will
be historic in the annals of the Presby-
terian church. There was the wall of
| women and the sobbing of men. The
| two divisions of the house but few
minutes before arrayed against each
| other on what they considered
essential points of doctrine, unwilling
| to concede to the other, melted and
mingled in a common grief. Death had
| disarmed them. Moderator Green in a
| faltering, grief-broken accent, offered
prayer. 1t was then suggested by DR..
George p. Hays, down whose
cheeks the tears coursed as he
| spoke, that after the moderator had ap-
pointed a committee to draft suitable
| minutes and resolutions to spread on
the record, that further business be
| foregone and the assembly adjourn.
The committee was appointed, with in
structions to make proper funeral ar
| rangements.
While the committee was in con-
sultation different friends of the late
Judge Breckenridge paid warm tributes
| to his character and worth as man
and Christian. After half hour
taken up with eulogies, prayers and
the singing of hymns the committee
reported that Gen. Alger had offered
his private car to convey the remains
to st. Louis, and that it was deemed
advisable to leave on the sad journey
| ut once.
Must Stop Taking Seals.
WASHINGTON May 29.-The president
has received cipher dispatch from
Minister Lincoln at London saying that
official notice had been given in the
| house OF commons that bill would be
introduced on Monday to authorize the
queen t. prohibit British subjects from
taking seals in Behring sea. The news
of this action was received with salts.
faction at the state department. Gen.
| orally it is taken as an indication that
the British government is preparing to
accept the condition imposed by the
president as q preliminary to arbitra-
tion and cause the British vessels to re.
frain from sealing meantime.
Ilenty Horses Is Set Free.