The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-15
Heart Failure, Superinduced by
Bright's Disease and Asthma,
Brought on the End.
THE LIFE OF A GOOD CITIZEN
HE WAS PROMINENT IN BUSINESS
AND POLITICAL WORLD.
War Record Blazed with a Deed of
Remarkable Heroism-Action
of Colleagues.

Senator Albert NJ. Burns of South Bend,
who represented st. Joseph county in the
upper house of the General Assembly, died
yesterday morning in his rooms at the En-
glish Hotel, after a painful illness Of sew
eral days. Senator Burns had been afflicted
with Bright's disease for a number of
years, and this. together with asthma,
brought on heart disease, the immediate
cause of death.
For several days the life of the senator
had been prolonged by the administration
of oxygen. His heart failed gradually. and
Friday night DR.. George w. Combs, the
physician in attendance, declared that re-
covery was impossible, and that the end
might be expected at any time. Senator
Burns was perfectly aware that he had
only brief space to live, and he asked
Senator Barlow, of Plainfield, a close
friend, to take charge of his affairs.
At o'clock yesterday morning Senator
Barlow, who had been a constant watcher
at the bedside, went to his own room to get
rest. He was followed by messenger. who
told him that Senator Burns had come out
of his lethargy and had asked for him.
man whispered that he felt the end was
Burns were contained in whispered ap-
peal to his colleague to urge the passage of
his bill giving the city of South Bend au-
thority to borrow beyond its constitutional
debt limit for school purposes. He breathed
out his life while requesting Senator Bar
low to ask the senators to vote for the bill
as a last favor to him. The bill has been
the measure to which Senator Burns gave
his hardest labors, and he spoke energet-
ically on the floor of the Senate in urging
its passage.
COLLEAGUES SADDENED.
Senator Burns's wife and family were
with him when he died. and had been pres
ent constantly at his bedside during the
final days of his illness. They were pre-
pared for the end and had come to the
realization that there was no hope for re-
covery. Many of Senator Burns's col
leagues have rooms at English's, and they
had been following the course of the SEN
ator's illness with the gravest apprehen-
sion. When the death occurred yesterday
morning the hotel was saddened and there
was little evidence of the hustle and stir
of a busy hostelry. Senator Burns had
been one of the most popular of the menu
bers of the Senate. and was loved as well
as respected for his notable abilities
Yesterday dltef0cOu the members OF the
Senate met informally to arrange to take
part i'm Senator Burnss funeral. The body
was taken to South Bend last night at 7:25
o'clock over the l.. +. & w. Railroad and
the funeral will be held Tuesday in that
CITY. A number of the senator's will go to
South Bend to be present at the funeral
At the meeting yesterday afternoon hon.
orary pallbearers were selected. Those
who will pay the last honors to Senator
Burns are: Senators Barlow, Gochenour
Gard. Bell Lawler. Fortune, Wood and
Goodwine. OF these Senators Barlow Gard
Lawler and Wood left with the body for
South Bend last night.
A committee was appointed also to draw
up suitable resolutions. This committee
is composed OF Senator'S Ball Dausman
Layman, Barcus, Thralls, Fleming and
Roche Resolutions expressing the sorrow
of the Senate will be prepared for publica-
ton and presentation to the family
Out of respect TO- the memory of Senator
Burns the Senate will hold no session Tues
day.
BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Senator Burns was born near PittsburR
Nov q, 1877. His father was a prominent
contractor and moved to Plattsville. Wis.
when Senator Burns was small boy He
attended school there until the war broke
cut when his boyish enthusiasm led him