The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-19
CAPTAIN BASSEIT DEAD.
ruc yErEHAN xssIsTANTDOOR-
KEEPER SrCcCwBs TO CANCER.
Ne Served In Various Capacities for SIXTY
Five Years In the seDate-Danie'
Webster's rrotege.

WASHINGTON, Dec. is.-Cspt. Isaac
Bassett. the veteran Assistant Door
Loeper OF the Senate, died al 4lo this
afternoon.
The immediate cause Of his death was
cancer OF the stomach.
Captain Isaac Bassctt enjoyed the ois-
tinc;ion OF being one OF the most ho'eo
figures AT the national capital. lie served
continuously in one position or another
IN the United States Senate for sixty
ove wears. and from delicate boy OF
eleven had literally grown gray In the
s~ryice of his country.
WEBSTER HIS SPONSOR.
lilo was the second page appointed In The
senate. his sponsor being Daniel WEB
- and. The date OF his appointment
iSso After he had outgrown the once
~ mage he was promoted TO that OF
,nesscngcr. and from that elvated TO the
o,,,ce of Assistant Doorkecper, when
nositon he flled until he had come to be
ss much a fixture I'm the chamber as the
marble clock which. according 70 'apitoi
rossip he was wont TO turn back al Inc
end OF each March session. when some
special legislation was desired TO be
completed.
Ills duties embraced the general house
keeping of the fnate. the seating OF
the members. and'the actual police "oIk
OF the Sergeant at-Arms, when that OF
fetal was called upon to act IN that
canacity. Il, was i'm that capacity that,
= his younger days. he had to race the
only revolver. save one. that has ever
heen drawn in the Senate. IL was III
the hands OF "A senator from one OF ,h'
small States, who. being very much III
toxicatcd. was raising row, ana tne
Sergant-at-A Arms was finally ordered 10
take him into custody.
when Bully" Brooks made his me-
morable assault OH Charles sumner. II
was Mr. Basett who assisted the Mas
sarhusctts statesman to the cioah-iooi''
assisted to battle his wounds, ana pre-
mare him for removal 10 his nome
HIS APPEARANCE.
Persons who have visited the Senate
chamber any time within the last quar-
ter of a century have noticed a pleasant
faced old gentleman, with whitc mar
and beard. the former curled careiuiy
I'm roll. who sat at the left OF the pre-
siding officer. When message was re
c.ived from the President of the United
states. or from the House OF Representa-
lives. IL was he who announced tine iact
TO the Senate Although ne performed
this duty for years, he invariably made
as much fuss over II as though II was
his first attempt. His face would turn
scarlet and as he bowed his head 10 the
presiding officer. there was culver IN
his voice as he uttered the stereotyped
formula This was accompanied by Il
hesitancy OF speech. as If uncertain
whether or not his remarks would fan
on appreciative ears.
Captain Bassett was the recipient OF
numerous marks of esteem from the
senators. on the anniversary of his
dftieth year Of service. he was presented
with a. beautiful silver snuff-boX, the
presentation being made by the presiding
officer. In 1876. on his birthday, an OIL
painting of himself was presented TO
him. accompanied by a letter. signed by
senator Anthony, ION behalf of the mem
hers o. the Senate. irrespective OF party,
and on the occasion of his golden we'd
ding he was presented with handsome
silver salVer.