The sun., 1909-06-29
ISRAEL W, DURHAM is DEAD
PHILADELPHIA REPUBLICAN,
LEADER PASSES SUDDENLY.


but Was Taken or by Heart Failure
as He Sat Down 10 Luncheon in At
lantic City-His Remarkable Career.
PHILADELPHIA. June 2s-State Senator
Israel w. Durham, former leader Of the
Republican organization OF Philadelphia
and president of the Philadelphia Base
ball Club. died at 2:so o'clock this after
noon In his cottage at Atlantic City.
The immediate cause OF death wss heart
failure. but for some years Mr.. Durham
had been a sufferer from Bright's disease.
The end came a few minutes after he
and his sister, Mrs. Philip johnson. had
returned from an automobile trip. On
entering the dining room Mr.. Durham
took a seat at the table and without warn
ingfell over in his chair.
Mrs. johnson ran to his side and caught
him In her arms just as he was about to
fall to the floor. He died almost instantly.
Dr. Walter A. Hickman was summoned
and ION his arrival expressed the belief
that Mr.. Durham's death was due to heart
failure.
During the forenoon Mr.. Durham ap-
peared to be in fairly good health. Az
late as noon he spoke over the telephone
with friend In Philadelphia concerning
business and proposed trip. to Europe.
He was in cheerful mood and thoroughly
enjoyed bis automobile ride.
He went to the shore last Tuesday
following brief visit to Delaware Water
Gap and the Pocono Mountains. He
intended sailing for Europe on July "a.
News OF Durham's de 'th reached this
city at 3 O'Clock and created sensation
in the City Hall and the political rialto
on Broad street.
Mr.. Durham was IS years old and a
bachelor. He was born in Philadelphia
and lived with his sister at 14lo, Spruce
known as 'The Silent Boss and held
the respect and confidence OF the rank
and file Of the party.
Durham was the most remarka BILE
OF Philadelphias political leaders,
and for a man who believed firmly
that there Is no sentiment in politics
his career Of thirty-two years had an
His methods were those of the game of
practical politics, yet. frequently his
suited in his boldest moves.
Indeed when Durham was division
worker in the Seventh ward in 1871. hold.
ing a window book on election days and
getting out the vote. he never dreamed
OF the political supremacy that he gained
twenty to twenty years later as a
direct result of standing by his friends.
His own sketch Of his life, dictated by
him when he was reelected TO the State
Senate in 1908, wa s in these words:
Israel W. Durham was born in Phila-
delpha on October -. 1855: was educated
In the public schools and learned the trade
OF brickmaking. entered the hour business.
was elected a Police Magistrate In Feb
ruary. 1885; reelected in 1890 aad declined
a denomination in 1905. He was elected
State Senator on February i8 1897, to fill
the unexpired term OF Boes Penrose. who
had been chosen United States Senator
from Pennsylvania: was appointed State
Insurance Commissioner in 1900. resigned
In 1905: was elected 70 the State Senate
to succeed John NJ. Scott in 1905
Durham led his political forces to vic
tory in many notable battles. but his
Waterloo came with the gas lease fight
Of 1905. He had strenuously opposed tn
original lease in 1897, but in the La tier part
Of April 1906. made deal with the United
Gas improvement Company for a new
lease. The ordinance for this, which was
rushed through Councils on his order.
I've years for SIS, 600. 900. Indignation
Of citizens followed. and on the !
night OF May II, 1905. a crowd Of several
thousand men marched from the Academy |
Of Music to the homes OF Senator Durham |
and Senator McNichol In front OF Sena- |
tor Durham's house the crowd first took |
It's stand and hooted and shouted.
Several men, jumping upon soap boxes |
tried to harangue the crowds, but the |
voices OF the speakers were drowned in |
The clamor. After the crowd had de- |
nounced Senator Durham II proceeded |
10 Senator McNichols's house where
similar scene took place. At both places
The police were unable to check the crowd.
Durham gave up the fight on May n
and the United Gas Improvement Com
oany withdrew the lease. Two days
ater the peerless leader" announced
hat he would retire from politics. At
he end OF June, 1905. he resigned as
Insurance Commissioner and on July |
iov Pennypa G ker appointed David Martin
o the position. After living in retirement
or nearly three years he returned to
political activity and was elected to the
ytofa