The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-31
Ex-spEAKER CRISP DEAD.
His Death the Result of Heart Fall
nrn FO}lOwinn Fever.


ure Following Fever.
Charles F. Crisp, ex-speaker of the
! house of representatives,, died at At
lenta, Ca, Friday afternoon.
The end came at quarter to 2
o'clock. Mr.. Crisp has been an inmate
of the eanitarium of DR.. J. S B. Holmes,
in this city, for several weeks. His con-
dition had been reported as very bad,
but no fatal conclusion to his illness
had been expected so soon. When o
rumor got abroad several days ago that
he was sinking it was vigorously denied
at the Sanitarium, where it was gwen
out he was getting better.
Mr.. Crisp was the choice OF the Dem
ocrsts of Georgia to succeed Senator
John B. Gordon in the United States
senate and would have been chosen to
that position by the legislature at its
approaching session had he lived. His
untimely death throws the political
situation into chaos, and makes the
choice of senator q matter OF great
uncertainty.
| Mr.. Crisp has been at the Holmes
| Sanitarium five weeks, suffering from
ma'arial fever.
The immediate cause Of his death
was heart failure.
Mr.. Crisp had he lived, would have
been the next senator from Georgia.
He was forceful speaker, and man
Of great tact and possessed OF other
qualities that eminently fitted him for
| the leadership in parliamentary assem-
hlage. His first prominence in nation
al affairs came from the skill with
which he led his party in several worm
election contests. The prestige he
then acquired led to his election to
the speakership, after one Of the most
memorable canvasses in the history OF
the house. His chief opponent was
Senator Roger Q. Mills, whom he de-
featcd after struggle that was prolong-
cd so thatthe house OF representatives,
contrary to custom, assembled on the
opening day with the question of its
next speaker still in doubt. As Speak
er, Mr.. Crisp WAS fair but firm. His
rulings have been upheld and though
sometimes they were the subject Of
considerable criticism from his po]iti-
cal opponents he always commanded
their respect and defiance. He was a
| pronounced advocate of the free coin
age of silver and on the occasion his
casting vote.as speaker saved the defeat
of the free coinage bill. On the other
hand, it was largely due to his firm
ness in ruling that passed the Sherman
silver repeal law through the house,
his ruling defeating q formidable fill
clustering movement, led by MIR. Bland,
Of Missouri and Others.
Mr.. Crisp was an Englishman by
birth and in his early life had been
identified with the stage.
The botly Of ex-Speaker Crisp was
removed Saturday morning from DR..
Holmes s.anitarium, where he died,
to the State capitol It was escorted
by the military and guard Of distin-
guished citizens, and placed in the ro-
tunda, guarded by detachment Of
military.
A squat Of bluecoated policemen,
detailed by Chief Connolly, stood on
guard Def IRE the Halcyon during Sat-
urday morning, to preserve order
when the funeral party arrived.
On the early train from the south
Mr.. Davenport, husband Of Mr.. Crisp's
eldest dauy hter, arrived from Ameri-
Gus to join the mourning family. With
him came Mr.. Burton, father of Mrs.
Crisp.
"A little after o'clock the sombre-
looking Car Of Messrs. Barclay g. Co.,
the funeral directors, drove up with
the casket, and robed for the grave the
body Of Georgia's distinguished dead,
when it was placed within its narrow
bed.
At half-past inc the caslzet contain
ing the body Of Mr.. Crisp was brought
down stairs and placed in large room
at the back of the hall. The casket is
what is known as Estate casket" It
is Of red cedar, lined with copper,
over which is rich white satin. The
casket is covered with the finest quail
ity Of English broadcloth, and has
handles OF silver plate, on which, in
! simple script, the name Charles F.
Crisp is engraved. The dead man
looked very natural, except for the
extreme pallor and the fact that he
was somewhat thinner than usual. He
was dressed in deep black, with a
white lawn tie, at bis neck and snow
white rose bud on the lapel OF his
coat, to relieve the combre colors sur
rounding them.
The remains of ex-Speaker Crisp
were buried in Oak Grove Cemetery
last Sunday evening. The body was
taken to Americas on special train
from Atlanta When the train ar