Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-10
Congressman Of he Eighth Virginia
District Passes Away.
END WAS UN{xp5l IED-y sUoDEA
Game as Great Shock to His Col.
leagues in the House of Ropresen.
tatives-chapIain Refers to Death
in Prayer-Had Been III Long Time

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Feb. 9.-Rc.
preventative John +. Rixey, OF the
Eighth Virginia District. died this
morning at tho home of his brother.
Surgeon General Rixcy, of the navy.
MIR. RiNey had for years suffered
from an affection OF the throat. Last
summer this became much more ser
ious. and Mr.. Rixcy, on the advice of
his physician, went to the high and
dry climate OF Colorado. where he
spent several months He did not
receive the benefit he hoped for, and.
returning to his home in Culpeper,
remained for Il time and then went
to ailnitarium at Liberty. New York.
Entirely Unexpected.
lie did not improve, and about the
first of this year came back to the
home of his brother Surgeon General
RiScy, In this city. He had not i'm.
proved but his death was entirely
unexpected. lie has been taking
daily drives. except when the wealth.
or was very bad.
He WAS taken suddenly worse n
few minutes past o'clock this morn.
ing; at Q o'clock he was dead. Mrs.
RiXey and several of their children
were at the bedside.
The news Of the death shocked the
Virginia delegation. 1t was not
known that the end was so near. MIR.
Rixey was one of the most popular
members of Congress. his modesty OF
demeanor fully equaling his worth as
representative and a man.
Chaplain Refers to Death.
Chaplain Coudon In his prayer made
this reference to the death of Mr.
Rixey:
Our hearts are profoundly moved
by the news of the sudden death of
one who for years in modesty and
worth and patriotism made himself
felt upon the floor of this house, rem.
dering to his country service worthy
to he recorded by the angels of God
We most humbly pray that his col.
leagues. his friends and the dear ones
OF his heart may be comforted by
the thought that sometime, some
where, they will he united with him
where sorrow never comes"
A few minutes was devoted to rou.
| tine business. Chairman Foss. mem.
Der of the Committee on Naval Ar.
| fairs. of which Mr.. Rixey was the
leading Democratic member. moved
that debate on the bill be closed.
which was unanimously agreed to.
Representative Jones. of Virginia.
the dean of the Virginia delegation,
was then recognized and he announc
cd to the House the news of tho
death of his colleague. He sent tc
the desk and had read resolution
expressive of tho sorrow of the House
and providing for the appointment of
a committee to attend the funeral
Tho resolution was adorted and the
chair announced the following COM
mittee: The Virginia delegation and
Messrs Foss. of Illinois; w. w.
Kitchen. of North Carolina; Gregg,
of Texas: Williams, of 'Mississippi;
DeArmond, of Missouri, and Burton,
of Ohio.
On motion Of Mr.. Jones, tho House
adjourned as mark of respect tor
the memory of the deceased.
The funeral services will be held
at Surgeon General Rixeys residence
at noon tomorrow. The body will b,
taken to Culpeper at $3.50 o'clocy
Monday morning, the intermcnt to
occur at | p. NJ.
Mr.. Rixey married daughter OF
the late Senator John S. Barbour OF
Virginia, by whom he is survived. He
leaves four childrcn-two boys and
TWO girls.
Sketch Of His Life.
John Franklin Rixey Democrat. Ut
Brandy, Culpcper county. was born In
Culpepcr county. Va, August 1. 1851;
was educated In the common schools,
Bethel Academy and the University
of Virginia; was lawyer and farm
or: was commemorative Attorney for
Culpoper county twelve years; was
elected to the Fifty-fifth, Fifty-sixth,
FifLy.seventh and Fifty-cighth Con.
crosses. and reelected to the Fifty.
ninth Congrcsss. receiving 1880 votes
to 2,4i3 for e. l.. Howard, Rcpubli.
can.
The Eighth District comprises the
counties of Alexandria. Culpoper,
Fairfax. Fauquier King George. Lou.
DOM. Louisa. Orange. Prince William
and Stafford. and the city of Alexan-