The age-herald., 1901-03-07
Distinguished AIabamian Dies
 At Capital City THE END CAME SUDDENLY SuGcumbed to an Attack of
 Rheumatism { REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE Ills Life Began to Ebb With the Clos ing Hours of the Legislature. The Funeral Takes Place In
 Selma Today.
A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE

Age-Herald Bureau, Clancey's Hotel, Montgomery, Ala, March 6.-(Special.)- Francis l.. Pettus, speaker of the lower House of the General Assembly of Ala bama, died at the home of State Treas urer J. Craig Smith in this city this morning at o'clock.
 The announcement of the death of MT. Pettus came as a very great surprise, and shock. While he had been seriously i'll for several days his closest friends were not aware that the end of this noble life was so near
 MT. Pettus had suffered from an attack of acute rheumatism, which came upon him early In February, but so frequent ly has he suffered from these violent at tacks that the public was not especially alarmed over his condition. It was a rather strange coincidence that the life of this brilliant man began to darken as the session of the General Assembly over which he has so ably and honorably pre- sided. was slowly dying. The attend ant physicians had been very hopeful, it seemed until late yesterday afternoon Then they realized that the patient was seriously i'll, but they largely relied upon his indomnitable will power to carry him beyond the crisis.
 Began to Weaken.
 Late yesterday afternoon there was no change for the better, and the sick man began to weaken. It was during the af- ternoon that one of his fellow members of the House was permitted to enter the sick room and present the beloved speak CT with a beautifully engraved gold watch, as a token of love and esteem from the House. MT. Pettus was visibly affected by this remembrance. Turning to Mir. John T. Hefiin, who presented the watch, he said:
 Say to the boys that I am so sorrow ful not to be with them today, and thank them for this kind remembrance. May God bless each and every one of them; love them all. They have been generous ly kind to me. John, tell them all good bye for me-
 The Speaker turned upon his pillow and spent few moments in peaceful sleep As the shades of night came on, and as the close of the General Assembly drew nearer the life of the statesman was slowly ebbing away.
 It was just at the hour of final adjourn ment of the House that the life of Mir Pettus began its flight to the unknown world. Apparently he did not suffer much, but rather appeared to be sinking into peaceful sleep. At a. m he was unconscious. and then it was his physi- clans gave up hope.
 At the Bedside.
 The dying man was surrounded by his closest friends in his last hours Among these were Hon. J. Craig Smith, State treasurer; Mfr. Paul Le Grande. the wealthy banker Hon. Robert J. Lowe chairman of the State Democratic com mittee; State Senator Joel W. doldsby of Mobile State Senator James Fl. Uunneles of Dallas, and Drs. Glenn Anderson and Robert Goldthwaite. The only members of the family present were Mrs Pettus he devoted wife, and her sister, Mrs. William Kesnan of Montgomery.
 At o'clock the attendant physicians Drs. Glenn Andrews and Robert Gold thwaite, gave out this statement
 '-Mr. Pettus Is suffering from acute rheumatism, with complications of heart and peritonitis. At a. m. his condition is extremely critical, and he will hardly last until day"
 From this hour until a. m. MT. Pettus gradually weakened, and at that hour he breathed his last without the slightest tremor. So peacefully had the end come hat it difficult for those present to 7aize that the Death Angel had robbed 'le body of the soul.
 The loving and devoted wife sat upon he bedside. and in almost silence she wept for the husband who had always been so tender and chivalric Tenderly her soft white hand continued to lovingly stroke the cheek that was now cold in death
 The life of one of the most censpicu- ous figures in Alabama has passed over the river of death. As a lawyer he had reached as high a round on the lad der of fame possibly as any other mem Der of his profession in the State As a politician and statesman he way always conservative; yet convinced of his po- sition, he was vigorous in his efforts to maintain it. As a friend and companion he had those characteristics which seek to bind men in closest bonds of love. As a husband and father he has always been devoted and affectionate. His loss to the State is rreparable.
 Funeral Arrangements.
 MT. Pettus was very popular with his fellow members in the House, and many of them have remained over today and will accompany the remains to Selma to- night, where they will be inferred tomor- row in the family burying ground. President of the Senate Jelks and Speak CT pro tenn of the House Tunstall will ac- company the remains. Private Secretary Thomas D. Sanford will go as a repre- sentative of his father, Governor Sam ford. Because of the Governors delicate health he will not undertake the trip, which was made to Selma on a special train that left here about o'clock this evening.
 The funeral party was joined here by United States Senator E. w. Pettus and the son and daughter of the dead man.
 All of the offices in the State House were closed after 12 o'clock today out of respect to the dead Speaker. Crepe was