Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-13
Two SheavesOf Bearded Grain
Garnered in.
A Poet and an Editor Fall
Before His Sickle Keen.
The Careers of Two Eminent Ameri-
cans Closed.
James Russell Lowell Sinks from Sleep
to Death George Jones, of the
New York Times, Has
Passed Away.
Associated Press Dispatches.

BosToN, August 12.-James Russell
Lowell died at 2 :15 this morning.
1t appears that the poet was taken
sick about five weeks ago. About two
weeks or more ago he became delirious
and up to Monday he recovered con-
seriousness only at brief intervals, when
he gave the members of his family signs
OF recognition. On Monday afternoon,
when the nurses changed bis bedding,
he suffered intensely when moved. and
finally said: ooh! why don't you let
nae die?" These words were his last.
He seemed from that time to lose heart
and gradually his lite faded away. He
continued in comatose condition till
2:15 O'Clock this morning, when the last
spark OF life went out. Beside him in
his last moments were the sisters OF his
first wife, his daughter, Mrs. Edward
Burnett, and her husband, ex-Congress-
man Burnett, as well as the nurses and
servants of the household.
Lowell himself never inquired as to
the nature of his malady. From in
uuiries it is ascertained that gout had
atfiicted him almost constantly of late,
and that sciatica, and latterly a severe
type of hemorrhage and liyer disease in
turn affected him. Lowell's health had
been impaired ever since his return to
this country in 1885, after concluding
his diplomatic services abroad. A year
and half ago his condition became
serious and fatal termination was ex-
pected, but his health had chance to
recover.
At the mansion of the Elmwood es-
tate, where Lowell died, there were no
members of his family today, but the
daughter and the son in-law of the poet.
His body lies in the sleeping apartment
where the last hours of his life were
spent, His death was extremely peace
full. Although it was known that he
could not live much longer, his death
was nevertheless rather unexpected.
The transition from sleep to death was
so easy that for few moments nobody
observed his eyes were closed and that
they would never be opened. He passed
away with only heavy sigh to indicate
the separation of great soul from a
worn out body. The funeral will be
held Friday at noon, in Appleton chapel,
Cambridge. It is probable that Bishop
elect Phillips Brooks will officiate.
Mrs. Burnett, his only child, was
with him constantly. She is the only
near relative, except a brother, whose
whereabouts is unknown.
flames Russell Lowell was born Feb
Tuary %. 1919, at the old tory mansion
now known as Elmwood, at Cambridge,
Mass. He was a son OF Rev. Charles
Lowell, distinguished Unitarian cler-
gyman. Young Lowell entered Harvard
when 16 years of age, and graduated in
1888. His first poetic effort was class
poem of more than ordinary excellence.
He studied law, and was admitted to the
bar in 1840, but never practiced his pro-
fession. His first volume of poems was
published in 1S41. Three years later he
married Maria White, lady Of consid-
erable literary ability. Lowell was a
frequent contributor to the Anti
Slavery Standard and Liberty Bell also
to the Atlantic Monthly and several
other periodicals of the present day.
The first series of his famous Bigelow
Papers originally appeared in the Boston
Courier. The Legend of Brittany was
published in 1874; The Vision of Sir
Launful in 1845; A Fable for Critics in
I848.
In 1856 he was elected professor OF
modern languages and bellies lettres in
Harvard university. In 1877 he was
appointed minister to Spain, and in 1850
was transferred to the court of St. James.
He was honored with the degree of D.
G. L. from Oxford university in 1873
and in the following year received the
degree of LII. d. from Cambridge uni.
versity. LOwell's second wife was Fran.
ces Dunlap.l