The Washington herald., 1909-06-29
ISRAEL v. DURHAM
EXPIRES SUDDENLY
Republican Leader of Phila-
delphia Passes Away.
OWNER OF BASEBALL CLUB
In Connection with Tive Other state
Senators, He Bought a National
Years He Was One of the Best
known Men I'm Politics in state.

Atlantic City. June 2S.-state Senator
Israel ". Durham. leader OF the leaders
in Philadelphia politics. dropped dead AZ
his seashore cottage. al III Atlantic ave
nue., az 30 O'Clock this afternoon.
Death came from PARALYSIS Of the heart.
and was practically instantaneous. The
Philadelphia leader crouched down on
The dining table Just after he had en-
tered the dining-roOm with his sister.
Mrs. Philip johnson. and although medi-
cal assistance was ~ once summoned he
was dead before the first doctor reached
him.
Senator Durham had just complained
OF pains around the heart as he walked
into the room. when he suddenly clutched
his breast and staggered 10 the table
Before he could secure a grip on its
edge. which he evidently sought. he feI
heavily. The crash resoUnded all over
the house. and even before Mrs. John
sons screams had ceased servants were
running 70 give their assistance. A
screaming maid. who ran to the street.
told passersby, who summoned DR. W. A
Hickman. A quick examination showed
that the man was dead
He had been in I'll health for sew
eral years. Mr.. Durham was convalescing
from an acute attack OF grip contracted
at Harrisburg last winter during the ses-
sion OF the legislature.
News OF the death OF Durham flashed
over the city within a few minutes, and
in less than an hour the local colony Of
Tcl7fTo TFa1r,1,fo r,o1f~fofo vr-o-o ,fo-o
friends and supporters OF the dead man
during his life, were on their way to
the Durham home TO offer their con-
dOlences and any possible assistance.
Senator McNichOl arrived among the
first and assisted Mrs. johnson IN noti-
flying relatives and friends Of the dead
man by wire.
The body will be taken 10 Philadelphia
tomorrow for a public funeral.
Mr.. Durham was president OF the Phila-
delphia National League Baseball Club.
Senator Durham, in connection with Sen
ators MeNichols and Wolf had pur-
chased the Philadelphia team in March
last. He was taken III a short time before
the team returned from practice in the
South. He had never seen the Philadel-
phIa team play after he had become the
controlling power
Israel W. Durham was born IN Phila-
delphia October "A. 1856. He was educated
in the public schools. and learned the
IT sde OF bricklaying. but later became
associated with his father in the flower
business.
"The Peerless Leader"
Mr.. Durham was one Of the best-xnown
men in politics IN the State Of PennsyI-
vania He became active in politics as
a Republican shortly after the time Of
his first vote. He was selected magis-
trate in 1855. and two years later he
became State senator. He led the Re-
publican party through various city cam
paigns. and for years he was delegate
to every State and national convention.
In 1900 he was appointed an insurance
commissioner. Former Mayor John
Weaver, OF Philadelphia christened him
LIZ Durham. the Peerless Leader"
Mr.. Durham was the storm center Of
scores OF political battles, the most dra-