The Hartford republican., 1911-06-23
GOV. KNOTT
PASSES AWAY
70 F' 49, l.ICs53l
Famous Kentuckian was
Once Our Governor
Dies at Home in Lebanon as
. Echoes Of Favorite Hymn
Die Away.

4 Lebanon, KY, June 1S.-"Nearer
Ny God To Thee"
just as the last echoes of this old
hymn had winged their way 30
Heaven, sung with sad sweetness by
two young girls, and just as the
solemn chanting of the Presbyterian
ritual had died on the lips of a mourn.
ing ooterie of friends and relatives,
former Governor ]. Proctor Knott
passed away at his homs in this city
at 6:05 p. m.
AS the end approached the states
man weakly signified his desire to
hear soma of the old hymns that had
soothed him, when as a boy he was
lulled to sleep in the arms of his
mother Misses Bessie and Lillian
Brewer who had waited anxiously for
many long days to hear that the for
mer Governor was improved in health,
sadly consented to perform the last
rites of friendship. Passersby wept
and unconsciously halted to hear the
Xotes of the old song rendered so
Significantly sad and sorrow.
Gov Knott had been in fe5ble health
for some months, but until week
ago had been able to be rolled out
an the varanda in his wheel chair,
where he delighted to sit and watch
the passsrsby. On Sunday last he
was taken worse and symptoms Of
hyposia at pneumonia devel ,ped.
Uni r luompt m:dical attention he
ralliei lid had been soms better
since, ntti this morning 1T about Z
o'clock he was taken with a choking
spell and for while it was thought
that he could not survive. Physicians
hastily were summoned and gave all
relief that was possible. but it was
evident that the end was near and
the best that could be done was to re-
lieve his sufferings slightly and pro-
long his respiration for time.
Close relatives and immediate
friends were immediately notified by
phone and gathered hastily at his bed
side. During the forenoon he showed
that he was conscious and seemed to
recognize those who spoke to him.
though unable to utter word that
was Ineligible.
About 3 O'Clock he began to sink
rapidly and it was evident that it was
only matter OF a few hours until the
end would come. Around his bedside
rware gathered his wife, his nephew,
]. NJ. Knott, wife and two sons. his
niece, Miss Kate Knott. another
nephew. r. L. Nesbitt. and wife; Miss
Mary McElroy. Mrs. T. C. McElroy
1and Miss Annie Wathen, all close
relatives.
Silently they watched and waited
while the breathing of the dying
statesman grew more and more
labored. Late in the afternoon Misses
Bessie and Lillian Brewer. two young
ladies who live near. and who had
been close friends of the Governor,
came In and Mrs. Knott requested
them to sing some of the hymns that
he had admired. W
They complied. and after several
hymns had been sung. she asked all
those in the room TO join In repeating
the creed OF the Protestant Church.
This was done and as the last words
of the ritual died upon their lips. the
physicians signaled that the end had
come
Loving arms were thrown around the
weeping widow, who had been COM
panion TO the Ex-Governor or fifty-thres
years. and she was bsd from the noon
and arrangements were made Tor the
preparation OF the body for burial. F>a
neral arrangements have NOT been fui
dscided upon. but the ceremonies will be
beld either from the residence or from
the Masonic Temple Tuesday aftsrnoo
at ESQ O'Clock. undeg the auspices OF
Marion commandery Knights Templar
No. zs.of which he has always been an
active member.
While dean OF the law department
Cenbar college at Danville IN 1900
Coy. Knott suffered slight stroke OF
paralysis and since that time had
besn In rather feeble condition physi-
cally. and for the past few years has