The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-15
SENATOR GEAR Is DEAD
FAMOUS IOWA STATESMAN Is
STRICKEN WITH HEART
FAILURE
HAD BEEN IN GOOD HEALTH
End Came Quickly After the Sem
ator Had Been Stricken Down
Mr.. Gear Was One of IOwa's
Most Disttn guIshed Men.

WASHINGTON, July 14-United States
Senator John Henry Gear, of Burlington,
To-, died at 4:3O today OF heart failure, In
his apartments at the Portland, in this
city
While Senator Gear had been In i'll
health for year or more death came en-
tirely unexpected He was in excellent
spirits last night, and made agements
with some political friends for today
Shortly before o'clock last evening, ac-
companied by Mrs. Gear, he went out
driving with Secretary Wilson, of the ag-
ricultural department. They returned
about 10 o'clock. and the senator retired
an hour later. in his usual health.
Shortly before o'clock this morning
the senator summoned his confidential
secretary, Col. Root and informed him
that he was troubled with congestion in
his chest. Mrs. Gear was called, and she
and Col. Root applied some simple rene
dies, which seemed to relieve the sen
ators suffering. AT 2:9O Senator Gear
complained of serious difficulty in breath
ing. His condition became critical, and
his family physician, DR.. Davis, was
summoned. An examination convinced
DR.. Davis that his distinguished patient
was suffering from heart trouble, and,
calling Col. Root aside, he informed him
that Senator Gear could last scarcely an
hour
About 4 o'clock the senator seemed to
be easier, and when asked by Mrs. Gear
as to his condition replied family:
81 feel trile better
These We're his last words Fifteen min
utes later he was dead.
Today Sengeant-at-Arms Ransdell Of
the senate, was notified Of Senator Gears
death. and began to make arrangements
for the funeral The remains will be
taken directly to Burlington, 10, which
for many years has been the home Of
Senator Gear. A special car will be at
tached to the $3.50 p. m. Pennsylvania
train tomorrow afternoon for the accom-
mediation of the funeral party.
Col. Ransden communicated today with
Senator Frye, Of Maine, president pro
tempore of the senate, who will name a
committee of senators to represent the
senate at the funeral Through the SER
geant-at-arms OF the house, Speaker Hen
derson, of Senator Gears state also, was
notified of the death. He Will designate
committee from the house to attend
the funeral Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson will accompany Mrs. Gear on her
journey westward.
Senator Gear left. beside his widow two
daughters, Mrs. ]. w. Blythe, wife OF
the principal attorney of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy railroad. and Mrs.
Horace Rand, wife Of a prominent bust
ness man, both residing in Burlington.
They will join the funeral party at Chica-
go on Monday. and will proceed thence to
Burlington on a sepciaI train over the
c., B. & Q. railroad. Funeral services
will be held In Burlington some time on
Wednesday. No services viii be held in
Washing ton.
The news Of Senator Gears death was
great shock to his personal and official
friends in Washington. by whom he was
very highly regarded. Secretary Wilson
was inexpressibly shocked when the news
was conveyed to him. He had been a life
long friend Of the senator, the two being
almost as closely allied as brothers. He
was among the early callers at the Port
land this morning.
Admiral Walker, of the navy, who had
been a friend OF Senator Gear for nearly
half century. accompanied by former
Senator Pasco, of Florida, called early
to tender their services and sympathy.
Mrs. Gear, Frustrated with grief, was
unable to receive callers.
John Henry Gear, of Burlington, To-.
was born in Ithaca, n. Y, April Z, 1925;
ICSSlfGu d COAAiAAiOH ottOOi CnOtdlAOilr lC-
moved to Galena. Ill. in 1885, to Fort
| Smelling, Iowa territory. in 1885, and to
Burlington In l943 where he engaged in
| merchandising Was elected MAYOR of
| the city OF Burlington in 1868: was a
| member of the Iowa house of repre-
sentatives of the fourteenth, fifteenth and
sixteenth general assemblies of the state
serving as speaker for the last two
terms; was elected governor of Iowa in
1888. and again in 16S9-8i; was elected
! to the Fiftieth and Fifty first congresses /;
| was beaten for the Fifty-second; was
assistant secretary of the treasury under
| President Harrison. and was elected to
| the Fifty-third congress as Republican;
| was elected Jan g. 1884 senator in
/ years beginning March 4, 1885, and was
| reelected last winter for another term
OF six years in the senate, beginning
! March 4, 1891.