The Washington herald., 1909-10-21

Benjamin Franklin Barnes, postmaster
or Washington, died suddenly, OF heart
trouble. last night at 7:4O o'clock. at the
home Of Jacob Frech. his father-in-law.
5l4 L street northeast He was fc-ty
years old.
Three minutes before his head dropped
back. re had come brislly through the
front door; announced that It was a glorl-
Gus night and he was feeling fine. and
sat down 10 game Of pinochle. Ad-
Joining the room in which ne died. was
IN. chamber IN which. seventeen, years
ago, Monday night, his wedding reception
was held.
Shortly after supper Mr.. Frech received
telephone call from Mr.. Barnes, who
was in the habit Of calling at the home
OF his father-in-law two or three times
week Following an old custom be-
tween them, the son-in-law asked II BIr.
Frech would mind Il he came over for
little while.
When his footsteps were heard On the
front porch the supper table had been
cleared He came in cheerily, kissed
Mrs. Frech. shook hands with Mr.. Frech,
and made a blithe remark about the
weather TO a daughter. Miss Lillian
Frech. who was sitting at the piano play
ing. and who continued playing while
the events which followed occurred.
How are YOU feeling?" he asked her.
Fine. How are your" she queried
back over her shoulder
IAN right" he answered. emphasizing
the words
While Miss Frech went on with the
piece she was playing. Mr.. Barnes went
into the other room. Again, according TO
an old custom at the house. preparations
we're commenced for a game os pinochle.
Mrs Frech sat AT one side Of the table
and Mr. Barnes. keeping up a running
FIRE Of CHEEKY comments on things In
/ general took his place at the opposite
side. Mr.. Frech turned to the mantle
piece 70 get tobacco. he asked Mr..
Barnes for the proper word TO express a
feature Of etiquette between an inferior
and a superior in a government depart
ment Mr.. Barnes answered without
hesitation.
| When the father-in-law turned around
with the tobacco, Mr.. Barnes arms had
fallen Imply to his sides His hesd
was thrown back. his mouth was wide
open, and his eyes were staring.
Mrs. Frech is so nearly blind that she
can distinguish only light from dark
ness. When she heard her husband say:
Don't you want me to open a window
I for you. Frank she became frightened,
and felt her way around the table to
where her son-in-law had been sitting
! The two, with the help q Kiss Frech.
/ who had heard the exclamations, COM
menced chafng Mr.. Barnes hands. Mr.
/ Frech poured water over his head. Miss
( Frech. In passing her hand across HIS
heart. noticed that the beating had
stopped. Her father then left the two
women with the motiOniess form and
4 went 10 the drug store 70 call a doctor.
/ He gave three numbers before he found
\ a physician at home. DR.. Seneca IS. Balm
was reached on the wire and went imme-
dlately 70 the Frech home. A moments
! examination was enough. He announced
that Mr.. Barnes had died instantly. Word
was sent to Deputy Coroner L w. Glare
brook and undertaken. and then. with DR..
Balm helping them, although ne said
plainly it was useless. the Family again
set about chatting Mr.. Barnes hands and
feet The body had been removed 10 a
lounge.
Could Not Believe Death.
Mrs. Emily f. Barnes the widow. who
had been notified at the home OF her
sister. Mrs. Walter Donaldson. &c r
street northeast, came into the room, APP
parently refusing TO believe her hus-
bands trouble was anything more than
a 'fainting SPELL She proceeded with the
rest Of them 70 revive him.
DR.. Balm tried artificial respiration.
and at the sound OF the air being me-
chanicaliy forced into and out Of the
lungs the widows hopes rose high, only
to fall steadily as minute after minute
was ticked away by the clock In the
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