The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-12
SENATOR KENNA DEAD.
DISTING UIsHED VEST YIRGTyIAN
SUCCUMBS TO HEART DISEASE.
Sketch Of His Eyentful Career-Generai
Benjamin +. Butler Dies Suddenly
Also Of Heart Failure.


from which he had teen for some years
an acute sufferer, so much so that for
q long interval he had been compelled to
abandon his duties as Senator and TO
forcgo all mental exertion.
Two summers ago, with view Of divert
ing his mind from his physical ailments.
he established an amateur boat builders
shop and busted himself in mechanical
operation Of constructing boats. He par
tally recovered and resumed his seat in
the Senate and made one memorable
speech. which was remarkable for its
length and its Wgor. but soon suffered a
relapse from which he never rallied.
His sufferings during the last few
months of his life. from heart spasms,
were so poignant that to himself as well
as to his family, death must have been
looked Upon as almost welcome.
The death of Senator Kenna was a
painful announcement 10 all those who
were acquainted with him. Though il was
known that he has been critically Ill and
that several times during his Sickness he
had been very close to Deaths door. still
the recent information from his bedside
was of a most encouraging character. and
hopes OF his ultimate recovery were en-
tertained. His friends began TO hope that
the genial. big-hearted and generous fell
low would again be I'm his old accus-
toned haUnts, but the news this morning
Of the fatal termination Of his career
brought tears to the eyes of many a
manly acquaintance and suddenly dashed
TO pieces their fond air castles.
Senator Kenna has been sick for many
months. but not until his growing malady
forced him to bed would his indomitable
will power admit that he was not as
strong as he Was in his earlier days. Last
summer he began to show the signs Of
failing health, brought on by overwork
and too close application To his sena-
torial duties. He was advised 10 take
rest. but this Acknowledgement OF his
weakness he would not admit until forced
TO. About the lst of October he was taken
sick and pleurisy was developed. From
that day he never left his room, though
at times he was able 10 sit up. At one
time it was thought he could not recover
from the pleurisy, but his strong cOnsti-
tuition allowed him to avoid death, but
the heart complications which ensued
were not 10 be overcome. He would have
severe attack of the heart, from which
1t was thought that he could not re-
cover. but each time he would rally and
his family and friends would take re-
lewed hope. The recurrence of these at
.
finally shattered his system until it was
unable TO withstand them.
The desk in the Senate occupied by Mr..
Kenna was draped in mourning to-day.
His death caused the greatest sorrow
among his colleagues in that body, for
few have held the general love and es-
TEEN which was accorded him.
Senator Kenna left wife and six chill
dren four boys and two girls. The old
est Of the children is about seventeen
and the Youngest boy was just five years
old yesterday. His sister. Mrs. Jordan,
and her husband were present at the last
moment, as was his half-brotber Mir.
Ashby, of West Virginia.
MIR. Kenna's Career.
The career Of Mr.. Kenna has been one
Of unsullied success. Never has the sus-
picion OF anything but devotion TO the in
terests Of his State and the country at
large crossed his public life. He was a
politician of unusual resources and
ability. but he was also a politician in
the highest sense OF the word Although
quiet and reserved, he won a front rank
In the Senate, and was one Of its most
popular members on account of his
genial disposition and good fellowship.
Senator kenna was born at Nslcoulon
Va. {now West Nirginia), Aprn 80, 1913.
Until the war broke out he lived on a farm
and made his living in this manner. At
the declaration of hostihties ne. like
Cincinnatus, left his plow and Joined the
Confederate army as a private. In that
service he was wounded in 1864, and in
the following year surrendered at
Shreveport, La At the close OF the war
he established himself AT Wheeling where
he attended st. Nincent's College, but
later studied law with Miller Il Quarter
n "A I'll agf h4
admitted to the bar and has continued
the practice Of law ever since. He was
elected prosecuting attorney for Kanawha
county on the Democratic ticket I'm 1872
and continued 10 serve I'm that position
until January i. 1871. In 1915 he was elect
ed by the bar in the respective counties
under statutory provision TO hold the
courts Of Lincoln and Wayne counties.
His first service in Congress was as a
representative in the forty-hfth Congress.
and he served in the successive ones until
he was chosen a senator to succeed
Henry G. Davis Dem) the father-in-
law Of Secretary Of War Elkins. lie took
his seat In the United States Senate De-
cember 8. 1883 and was reelected. His
term Of Office would have expired March
g. 1896
Probably 10 senator was more devoted
to outdoor sports than was he. The rod
ions. and the hunting parties which he
would organize each fan were always de-
lightful affairs. Next to his rod and gun
he was interested In photography and the
collection Of views taken by him make
an Interesting gallery.
AT the age OF forty-one Mr. Kenna
had been elected TO serve in Congress
for a period that embraced twenty years
he was for twelve years the youngest
member of the House. and was the
Youngest but one of the members of the
Senate. While I'm the Senate he made a
number Of weil-informed speeches. or
these two were such excellent arguments
and so well delivered that they brought
10 him additional laurels. one was on
the issue between President Cleveland
and the Senate and the other was his
renly to Senator Sherman's assault on
the Presidents financial policy.
throughout his congressional career ne
had a law partner at home. ana as Iar
as his public duties would permit he main
toined his connection with the bar. sue
cass never warped his kindly, generous
nature or changed the courtesy OF his con-
aanial manners. The secret or ms
great popularity with ms con-
stituency' which stuck to him ana sWore
hv him. was perhaps to be found not alone
in The dischsrge of his public duties put
In his LOYALTY TO every interest intrusteu 10
Ms keeping and in the unaffected nature
u,hicb was incapable OF ingratitude OF
treachery. ,, .aa a now
,aature 10 the senatorial contest now III
orosross between the supporters ol hs
pa,ieaana Seuator Faulkner and ex-Sena-