Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-19
CAPT. ISAAC BASSETT'SDEATH
The Venerable Senate Employe Passes
Peacefully Away.
His Service. at the c"pitol-Arr"nse-
ments for the Funerai-An In
teresting. Career Closed.

Capt Isaac Rassett died at 4:10 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, surrounded by mem
bers of his family. There We're present his
wife, who has opassed her seventy-fourth
year of age, hissssrs, Isaac A. and Geo. T.,
his brother and his sister. The death of
Capt Bassett was expected for several
weeks, and there were many times when it
did not seem possible for him to live more
than a few hours but his wonderful Vitali-
ty frequently surprised his attending ply
stefan, and time and again he rallied, when
it seemed that his life was ebbing away.
1t was known for a long time that his dis
ease could not be other than fatal, and the
autopsy verified the belief that he suffered
frCm a cancer of the pancreaS and a large
pyloric oritice of the stomach.
His Last Moments.
Capt Bassett was conscious almost to the
last moment of his life, although he had
not been able to converse with his friends
for some days, and during the tWenty-four
hours preceding his death the lower part of
his body had been practically lifeless. But
he coull recognize his friends about his bed
side. and chung to their hands affection
ately as his end approached. Many Sena-
tors called at his home, IS I'd street north
east, and DR.. Sunderland, his pastor, was
there daily.
dwelled on the old familiar scenes of the
Senate. and he would inquire Of the dongs
there so long as he had the power OF sneech
Mis- Long and Faithful Service.
For the first time in sixty-four years the
reassembling of the present Congress found
Capt. Bsssett absent from the Senate
chamber. The second page of that body
and appointed at the instance of Daniel
Webster, Bassett became an object of in
terest as the years passed by. He was al
ways faithful to his duties, and was pro-
NOTED to be assistant doorkeeper of the
Senate, which position he has held for over
a generation. His father was from Connec-
ticut. and removed to this city about a
hundred years ago; his grandfather, Isaac
Bassett, having been soldier in the revo-
lutionary war. During the war he organ
lied company for the defense of the
capital VITA Senator German, who had
served under him page, as lieutenant,
and it was by this service he gained the
title of captain. He had been an eye wit
ress to numberless interesting scenes in
Congress. and as a confidential employe
was never known to betray his trust. the
full story of Capt. Bassetts interesting
life was lately published in The Star.
Funeral engagements Incomplete.
Up to $50 o'clock today the Senate had
taken no elton in relation to the funeral of
the late Capt. Bassett. 1t was thought by
many that in consideration of the long
service of the late assistant doorkeeper of
the Urited States Senate. a senatorial
funeral might be- given him. But it Is
very doubtful if this will be done. 1t is
likely, however, that an appropriation will
be made covering the expenses of the
funeral and that committee of Senators
will be appointed to attend the ceremony.
The Senate Takes Notice.
In executive session this afternoon the
death of Capt. Bassett was referred to and
the question of what the Senate should do in
relation thereto was briefly discussed. No
action was taken, but a resolution Will prob
ably he introduced in open session tomorrow
by Mr.. Sherman suggesting proper course
for the Senate. This resolution will COM
mend the faithful services OF Capt. Bassett.