The Detroit times., 1911-04-13
JUDGE HECKERT's
DEATH IS SUDDEN
Paw Paw Member of House Expires
On Streets of Lansing, in Sight
of Capitol.
(From q star correspo ndent.)

LANSING, Mich, April 12.-Pro-
ceedings In the house OF representa-
tives were brought to tragic close
yesterday afternoon, when Judge b.
F. Heckert. OF Paw Paw, representa-
tive from Van Buren county, who had
been absent on account OF illness,
dropped to the sidewalk on Michigan
avenue, west, in plain sight OF the
house chamber, dying soon after.
Judge Heckert had been feeling Ill
for several days, but managed to be
In his seat for the morning session.
In the afternoon, he went to a bar
Der shop, and told a friend that he
would go home and probably not re-
turn during the afternoon. The Mar
quette prison investigation commit
tees report was due at o'clock, and
the Judge evidently mustered his
strength to be present. On the cor
ner opposite the capitol grounds he
staggered and fell
A woman formerly of his home town
who lived in the adjoining house,
saw the Judge passing and remarked:
That's some one from home: isn't
1t good to see him. The next moment
he reeled and was unconscious before
she reached him. His daughter, Bes-
sic, who Is capitol employe, had
been talking with him on the tele-
phone a few moments before, and
was expecting to join him. She was
one of the first to the scene. A num-
ber OF members of the legislature and
capitol employees hastened to the
spot, and physician and ambulance
were called, but the Judge was be-
yond help, dying within 10 minutes.
Miss Heckert bore up until told thar
all was over and then broke down.
The body was taken to an undertak-
ing establishment. Arrangements for
the funeral have not been made.
Judge Heckert was a member of the
constitutional convention and OF the
house OF 1909 Before this he had a
long record Of public service. He was
born in Wayne county, Ohio, In 1S40,
and was educated at VeFmillion col
lege, Presbyterian institution. He
enlisted In the Sixteenth Ohio infan-
try April 20, 1881, eight days after
the attack on Ft. Sumter, which, by
coincidence was an exact half-century
ago yesterday. He served 70 the close
Of the war, and attained promotion TO
the rank Of first lieutenant. He was
q prisoner In Libby and other pris-
ons for five months.
After the war, he returned to col
! lege, and was graduated from the law
department OF the University OF Mich
igan, In 1869. The same year he lo-
Gated at South Haven, and began the
practice OF law. Later he moved to
Van Buren, He served as prosecutor
and Jury commissioner for q combin-
ed period of six and one-half years,
and served eight years as probate
Judge.
He was a thirty-second degree Ma
son, being a member of Dewitt Clin-
ton consistory and Saladin temple.
Mystic Shrine, Grand Rapids.
Bottle houses adjourned out Of re-
spect to Judge Heckert. The special
order on the Marquette prison report
was deferred till 1880 Thursday
night. Because of press OF busi-
ness, the house will meet at 8 a. m.
Thursday. Speaker Baker appointed
as committee to prepare resolutions
and to attend the funeral. Reps.
Knight, Graves. Tufts, Rankin and
Sharp.
This Is the second sudden death
among the house membership this
year, Rep. c. NJ. Green, of Port Huron,
dying about two months ago.
SANFORD.