Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-10
Mr.. BRATTAN'S DEATH
The Representative of Maryland's
First Congressional District.
PASSED AWAY AFTER 4 LONG ILLNESS
An Event That Had Been Long
Expected.
NEWS AT THE CAPITOL

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
PRINCESS ANNE. Nd. May l0.-Repre-
sentative Robert r. Brattan Of the first
congressional district of Maryland died at
his residence In this place this morning
at $50 O'Clock, after q lingering Illness
OF six months. Mr.. Brattan was taken I'll
with Bright's disease in October Of last
year, and since that time ne has gradually
failed. until finally this morning he passed
away. as he slept. without a struggle. For
the past two weeks he had been In a semi
comatose condition, and was unconscious
until the last About his bedside were
gathered his wife and children. his brother,
Joseph Y. Brattan; his physician, DR.. Rufus
w. Dashiell. and James U. Dennis. his
father-in-law and law partner. as well as
those who had uursed him in his illness.
He was the most widely known and gen.
orally beloved of any man in this county,
and his untimsly death IL a sad loss to the
poorer class Of the community. His funeral
will take place at pm. Saturday from
st. Andrews p. z. Church in this town
The deceased was married In 1884 to Miss
Nellie Hoe-Dennis, who, with q family Of
three children. two girls and a boy, is left
to mourn his loss. The deceased was born
at Barren Creek Springs, Wicomico county
Md. March 13, 1S45. At the age of nine
teen he graduated from Washington Col
lege, Chestertown, Md. After graduation
he was made deputy register Of wills for
Somerset county, meanwhile studying law
and was admitted to the bar in 1857 short
ly after which he formed a law partnership
with James U. Dennis. In 1866 Mr.. Brattan
was a member of the state convention
which sent delegates to a peace convention
held in Philadelphia. In 1859 he was chosen
member of the legislature, and in 1872 to
the state senate. He was returned to the
senate In 1879 and again In 1887. In 1890
he was chosen president of the Maryland
senate. receiving no opposition from any
party. He was elected a member of the
F1fty-third Congress as q democrat getting
one OF the largest majorities that any MEM
Der ever received In this district He was
only In the halls Of Congress a few months.
however, before the illness that closed his
career compelled his absence.
He Joined the order of Masons at the age
of twenty-one years, and was q member Of
the Knights Templar. Mr.. Brattan. al
though a member Of no church, was an
adherent Of the religion of his father and
attended the Presbyterian Church.
The News mt the Capitol.
The Information Of Mr.. Brattan's death
came to the Maryland delegation in Con-
gress In brief telegram, sent from Prin-
cess Anne. 1t had been expected
for weeks. as Mr.. Brattan has lin
gered between life and death ever since the
session began. He was present at the extra
session In apparently vigorous health
During the recess he was affected with
heart trouble. and later Brighrs disease
developed. He was unable to attend the
regular session and has been confined to
his bed since December.
In Mr.. Brattan's brief Congressional ex-
perience-this being his first term-he had
given promise Of being a useful member
He was man of wide information, a good
debater and speaker
As new member he took little active
mo ~ IN ~
was a member Of the committee on mer-
chant marine and fisheries and Of militia
Representative Talbot of Maryland who
was close associate Of Mr.. Brattan, call
ed together the Maryland delegation IN the
House for appropriate resolution and ar
rangements.