Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-12-12
Fx.Speaker Reed Dead.

Thomas Brackett Reed, former
Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tives, and for many years prominent n
public life, died in Washington Sat
urday night in his apartment In the
Arlington Hotel. A change for the
worse was noted in him early that morn
ing. At $50 o'clock he was given a
simultaneous saline TRANSMISSION in Or
der to stimulat his kidneys, which
were failing to perform their proper
function. At 5 o'clock in afternoon
saline solution again was administered,
about three quarts of fluid being used.
The heart became wenker and weaker,
but the patient retained consciousness
until II o clock, when a complete coma
came on.
At the bedside when he died were
Mrs. Reed and Miss Catherine Reed,
Drs. Gardner, Macdonald, Bishop.
GOOdnOw and the nurses. Mr.. Reed q
mind was in such state during the
day that he did not realize the serious
ness of his condition. He was cheer
| full. and conversed with these about mis-
bedside. When it became apparent
that be would not survive his illness,
the wife and daughter we're notified
| and they remained constantly at the
| bedside until the distinguished patier
breathed his last. With only faint
hope of saving bis life, oxygen wsi
administered continuously throughout
the day.
1t was stated that Mr.. Reed had beer
suffering from Bright's disease for sOn
time, which reached the acute stage
and this furn sled an addition
al cause for alarm Mr.. Reed passs(
away peacefully and without pain.
| Mr.. Reed reached Washington Sun
day, having come to attend to som'
matters in the United States Supreme
Court. He was at the Capitol Monda.
visiting with friends and former assO
ciates i'll Congress and witnessed th'
converting of the second session Of tn
Fifty-seventh Congress.
Apparently he was enjoying goot
health, but later in the day he calle(
on DIR. F. A. Gardner and complained
of gastric distress. The following da,
his physician compelled him to remaiI
in bed, while diagnosis was made o
his condition. Mr.. Reed was strongl,
averse to staying in bed, but rise ii
temperature made it imperative tina
he remain quiet.
Symptoms of appendicitis appeared
though his condition was not consid
cred at that time as alarming. A train
ed nursed remained with him through
out Tuesday night, and the patien
showed signs Of Improvement.
| Thomas Brackett Reed was born il
Portland, Me-, October 18th, 1889. I'll
was educated in the common school
of that city and at Bowdoin College
bling graduated from there in 1850
He taught school until 1854, and at tn
same time studied law. He served
while as assistant paymaster in tn
1865, three years later he was electet
to the Legislature. He next served il
the State Senate and then made AttOr
ney-General of the State. His mex
public services was as solicitor of tn
city of Portland. He was elected t.
the n ational House of Representative
in 1876 and reelected time and agail
until two terms ago when be resigne'
both as a member and as Speaker, say
ing he was too poor q man to continu
longer in public life. He went to Ne,
ork at salary, said to be 1000. t
serve as counsel for big corporation
1 The death of Thomas B. Beed II
moves one of the most noted charac
ters in public life during the last quar-
ter of century. 1t was as a Repre-
sentative in Congress and as Speake
of the House of Representatives tina
he made his greatest reputation, b.
he was known as lawyer of grea
ability.