Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-24
DEATH OF EX-SPEAKER CRISP
Prominent Democrat Passes Away After
Several Months Illness.
HIS END COMES VERY UNEXPECTEDLY
Lung Diseases Complicated by
Troubles of the Heart ana the
Demise Directly Due TO Rup-
turc of Blood Vessels.

ATLANTA, Oct. 23.--Charles F. Crisp the
ex-speaker Of the house OF representatives,
died here today.
Mr.. Crisp has been an inmate OF the sani-
tarium In this city for several weeks His
condition had been reported as very low,
but no fatal conclusions TO his Illness HAD
been expected so soon. When rumor got
abroad several days ago that he was sink
ing 1t was vigorously denied at the sani-
tarium where IL was given out that he was
getting better. Mr.. Crisp has been at the
Holmes santarium suffering from malarial
fever.
Mr.. Crisp had been in intense pain all
day. Every few minutes he would suffer
greatly. His wife, together with the sani-
tarlum nurse, Mrs. Sharp was watching at
his bedside At about i:45 o'clock Mr..
Crisp was seized with another attack, and
quite suddenly he passed into the calm OF
death The watchers saw II and sent down
stairs for DR.. Holmes. Judge Crisp's two
daughters. Mrs. Fred Davenport and Miss
Bertha Crisp, and his two sons, Mr.. Charles
@. Crisp, jr.. and Mr.. Fred Crisp. were at
the Ballard house on Peach Tree street.
They were quickly summoned When they
entered the room Judge Crisp was still un-
conscious. He gave them the look OF rec
ognition, breathed few times and died.
He could not speak So quickly had tho
dread messenger come that the stricken
family stood appalled, In the death cham
Der.
STORY OF HIS PHYSICIANS.
Mr.. Crisp's death, while apparently thus
sudden, was not unexpected by the physi-
clans who have been watching him. DR..
]. d. Holmes of the Halcyon sanitarium
made the following statement of his illness
and the manner of the end: Judge CSsp
had been in i'll health for the past six or
eight months. He had been suffering for
two or three years with intense pains COM
ing at intervals in the chest. He had two
attacks OF pneumonia, one about four years
ago and the other about two years ago. On
account OF Ill health he lad to give up his
joint debates last summer with Hon. Hoke
Smith. After the speeches In June he went
to Asheville, N. C., and spent some time
there. From there lie went to Tate Springs
and remained until about the middle OF
August, then going to his home in Ameri-
Gus. There he was taken with malarial
fever. He then went to Atlanta for
treatment. He came here to the sani-
tarium September 16. examined
him carefully and found evidence
from his previous attacks OF
pleuro-pneumonia His fever yielded to the
treatment and ten days ago he was con-
sldered convalescent. He was out driving
several times last week-even as late as
sunday-and was feeling unusually well that
day. Sunday he was attacked with conges-
tlOn OF the lungs ana SuHeTcu intensely.
Monday night and Tuesday he was stil in
bed. He was better Wednesday. Yesterday
he had an easy day and was decidedly better
than any day since Sunday night The
lung trouble yielded very satisfactorily to
treatment. Last night he was visited with
very severe pains in the chest that occurred
at very frequent intervals He continued to
have these paroxysms until 1:i5 this after
noon, when he suddenly expired, probably
from the rupture OF the vessels OF the heart
as the result OF fatty degeneration"
II is understood his body will ultimately
rest at his old home In Americas, among
the people who loved so well to honor him
Henors befitting the high stations Mr.. Crisp
has occupied In the state and the nation
will undoubtedly be paid his memory by
the general assembly. which meets next
Wednesday
TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY.
Governor Atkinson heard the news OF Mr..
Crisp's death at the executive Office and i'm
medately the Georgia flag over the capitol
was lowered TO half mast He said: "Mr.
Crisp's death Is particularly calamity Just
ut this time. He had attained position
and he was not only one OF the most valu-
able men in our state. but was a national
character of which all Georgians were
proud. I regard him as the most conspicuous
man before the nation Of all southern people.
His position as speaker OF the house had
brought him more prominently before the
people than any southern man and the mag
nihcent ability which he displayed in sus-
tanning himself as leader had made its
impress upon the whole country to such an
extent that he was regarded everywhere as
one Of the foremost men OF America"
Ex-Secretary Hoke Smith said: II was
thrown with Judge Crisp constantly in Wash
ington and l am deeply distressed at his
sudden death. His quickness calmness and
sound judgment made him the natural leader
Of the democrats in the house of representa-
tives. His kind and gentle temperament
gave him the love of all who knew him.
Although he had filled the highest position
given to Georgian In the national councils
since the days of Howell Cobb he especially
desired seat In the senate and his refusal
to accept the appointment rendered him by
Governor Northen was the clearest proof OF
his unselhsh patriotism. He had just fairly
won before the people of Georgia a seat In
the senate. In that body he would have
added to his great national reputation and
regret sincerely that he has not been spared
to fill it,"
ATLANTA, Ga Oct. 23-Governor w
Y. Atkinson. whc has Just been reelected
chief executive OF Georgia for a term OF
two years, is prominently mentioned as sue
cessor to the senatorial seat which would
have been Mr.. Crisp's had he survived
Should he enter and be elected there will
probably be a contest for the governorshp
between Hon. Robert l.. Berner and Hon
A. s. Clay, chairman of the state demo-
cratic executive committee Governor At
kinson's choice as senator would render
necessary a special election for governor
HAD BEEN AILING FOR SOME TIME
WASHINGTON. Oct. 23.-Speaker Crisp's
death was not altogether surprise in po-
litical circles, as 1t had been known 10,
some months that he had not long to live
and never again would be an active fgur,
In public affairs. The speaker had severa
spells of sickness in Washington. He suf
fered from asthma and later from hear
trouble. His Ill health, however, did no
become a matter of public notoriety unit
the past spring. when he was compelled [,
abandon series OF joint debates arranged
with ex-Secretary Hoke Smith by advic,
OF his physician that II would imperl hi
life for him to continue the debate. which
had attracted great state as well as nationa