Norwich bulletin., 1912-10-05

Lakeville, Conn, Oct. Apr. George Fl. Knight of Salisbury, republican candidate for congress from the Fifth district, dropped dead on the stage Of Roberts hall here tonight as he was about to address political gathering.
 pr. Knight was presiding at ne rally. He had risen to introduce the chief speaker, Representative George B. Chandler, of Rocky Hill, but had spoken hardly more than dozen words when he collapsed and fell un- conscious to the floor.
 MT. Chandler and others sprang to his assistance raising him from the floor and carrying him to the rear of the stage.
 Dr. c. K. Peterson. who was in the audience, was quickly at his side. and Dr. William Bissell, his old family physician, and Dr. w. B. Bissell ar rived quickly in response to hurried summons. Death followed very short ly, however, and without return of consciousness to Dr. Knight.
 Daughter Hurries to His Side.
 His daughter, Miss Gertrude Knight, was in the audience, and hurried to her fathers side. being with him wher he died. Mrs. Knight arrived shortly afterward.
 The hall was crowded. but while the collapse of Dr. Knight shocked the audience there was no outward sign of excitement, it being supposed that Mir. Knight had suffered simply a se- were fainting spell from which he would soon recover.
 
 Tn few moments, however, it was announced from the stage that his ill., ness was severe and that because of it the meeting would be abandoned.
 The crowd then filed out quietly, but waited outside for further word from the stricken man. When announce ment of his death was made the crowd dispersed silently
 The physicians have not yet deter mined the cause of death.
 Had to Hurry to Reach Hall.
 Dr. Knight, who had been out of town, arrived on a late train and had to hurry to reach the hall on time. He had not been very we'll during the summer and it is thought that the extra exertions this evening in con- nection with his somewhat impaired state of health might have brought on sudden attack of heart failure. The body was removed to his home.
 Was Candidate for Goverhor.
 Dr. Knight was one of the candi- dates for the nomination for governor tion. He received 121 votes on the first ballot and while the second bal lot was being taken the withdrawal of his name was announced. He had received eight votes before the fact that he had withdrawn was made known.
 Another Convention Necessary.
 Subsequently he was unanimously nominated for congress by the Fifth congressional district convention held at Waterbury last month. His death creates a vacancy on the ticket, to fill which will make necessary the holding of another convention in the Fiftn district.
 Superintendent of Lakeville School.
 Dr. George Henry Knight was born at Lakeville about 57 years ago. He studied for two years at Yale in the class of 1877 and then went to New York, where he studied medicine. Aft erwards he became superintendent of the State Institute for Feeble Minded Hu N1luuSoOtd III IooO uc was dp- pointed superintendent of the Connec- ticut School for Imbeciles at Lakeville and held that position at the time of his death. In 1898 he received from Yale university the degree of master of arts.
 Active in Public Service.
 He had been treasurer of the town of Salisbury for two terms In 1901: 1902 he was surgeon general on the staff of Gov. George P. Mclean, now United States senator He had served three consecutive terms in the general assembly. 7 being elected first to the session of 1907 In that legislature he was house chairman of the committed on' public health and safety. In 1909 he was house chairman of the commit tee on humane institutions, and in the last session was house chairman of the important committee on appropria- tons.