Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-03-17

Senator Bate is dead. The end
came peacefully at the Ebbitt House,
In Washington, Thursday, March ., at
$50 o'clock in the morning, after an
illness which had its incipiency in a
chill few days previous, resulting
from exposure while in the inaugural
stand at the end of the capitol, where
President Roosevelt took the oath OF
Office. Consciousness remained with
him until the last moment, and to his
devoted wife and others gathered
about the bedside he talked nationally
on the subjects that engaged his van
fishing thoughts. He realized from
the beginning of his illness that he
would not recover, and to every one
ministering to him, save his distressed
wife he impaired his gloomy forebod-
ings of dissolution, but the precious
companion of his happiest years he
fenderly shielded from any word or
action that would add to the sadness
of her heart.
Mrs. Bate believed to the last hour
that her husband would be spared,
and to those who called to make in
auiry as to Senator Bates condition
she expressed herself hopefully, But
Others who had access to the chamber
felt that the end was fastening and
confided the sorrowful secret to
friends who would respect Mrs. Bates
feelings and not make public his pre-
carious condition. At 2 o'clock in the
morning DR.. 2. Il. Sewers, the family
physician. announced to Mrs Bate,
whose optimism up to this time had
sustained her will, that the end was
near Mrs. Bate at once summoned
her grandson, Bate Mastin, who in
turn called Mrs. E. w. Carmack, wife
of Tennessee's junior senator; Mrs.
Josephine Ellis Of Gallatin, a close
personal friend of the family, and
Robert w. Cantrell, private secretary
TO Senator Bate, all Of whom re-
manned in the chamber until the brave
spirit took its flight.
With his sweet and gentle wife and
with Mrs. Carmack, to whom he felt
attached by ties of the finest friend
ship, Senator Bate held his last con-
yersation. To his wife he spoke
words of comfort and to Mrs. Carmack
he made inquiry about Senator Car
mack, to whom he had something i'm
portant to say.
Several times he called for his col
league, whose presence he seemed to
crave. But at that time Senator Car
mack was speeding toward Washing
ton, unconscious of his colleagues
peril. and when he left Washington
for Nashville the Sunday night pre-
yiousfhe had no idea that Senator Bate
1av on his death bed. The latter was
complaining of cold, but thought 1t
would yield to simple remedies. His
ILLNESS did not manifest itself in Sc
rious form until the following Monday
night, when on leaving the dining hall
he began to expectorate blood. Then
1t was that Senator Bate took fright
and requested that DR.. Sewers be
called.
On the day he was sworn in for his
fourth successive term in the senate
he contracted the cold which caused
his death. Senator Bate had severely
taxed his nervous and physician
strength during the session OF con
gress In opposing the comDlnatlon
statehood bill ans therefore was not
in condition 10 withstand the illness
-.,l,ich az. ,eared only slight In its in
cipiency. During the inaugural cere
mouies Saturday he sat in the open
air until he complained of feeling
chilled, and later he repaired to his
apartments at the Ebbitt Sunday hi
complained, but did not regard his
symptoms as distressing. Monday hi
occupied his usual seat in the senate
chamber and participated in the ex
ecutive business of that body. Tha
night, however, he began to yield II
the inroads of the cold which hat
seized him two days before, and upol
examination DR.. Sewers pronounced
At mild case of pneumonia.
A trained nurse was called In ant
everything available was done to com
bat the progress of the terrible dis
ease. Tuesday DR.. Sewers announced
chat, while the lungs showed Sigh
improvement, the action of the hear
indicated serious complication
Then it was that the intimate friend
of the family gave way to grave ar
prehensons. All but Mrs. Bate locke,
for the worst, but she could not resig
the precious hope that soothes an
sustains as long as there is the faint
est flicker of life left in the body o
beloved one. The bloody expectora
lions were premonitory with Senate
Bate, who with calm fortitude accept
ed the realization that it was the bt
ginning of the end.
The death of Senator Bate conclude
a long and distinguished career i
honorable public service. He was tn
idol of Tennessee Democracy and tn
very incarnation of the Confederat
sentiment which the whole Sout
treasures as a priceless heritage.
William Brimage Bate was born o.
tober Z, 1926, near Castalian Springs
Tenn. He received an academic edl
cation, and when just emerging fror
his teens saw much of the exciting lif
on the Mississippi river.
He served for some time as secon
clerk on one of the old sidewheeler
between Nashville and New Orlean
When the Mexican war broke out he r.
sponded to the call for volunteers an
served as private in the Louisian
and Tennessee regiments throughol
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