Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-28

Col. Daniel Moore Ransdell, sergeant
at arms of the United States Senate
former United States marshal for the
District of Columbia and intimate friend
of the late President Benjamin Harrison,
died at Garfield Hospital about 4:SC
o'clock this morning. Angina pectoris
was the immediate cause of death. fol-
lowing an operation three weeks ago for
intestinal trouble.
The illness which terminated fatally
began during the late days of October
Several years ago he had been operated
upon for an intestinal ailment. and i;
was thought he was entirely cured. But
there was a recurrence of the old trou-
BILE in October, and early in November
Col Ransdelrs physician advised an oper-
alton. He entered Garfield Hospital No
vember ., and a few days later was oper-
ated ON.
Duties Proved .Onerous.
protracted regular session following the
extra session of the summer before, had
been very onerous, and his physical con-
dition was not the best. But he rallied
after the operation, and, while his
progress was slow he seemed to be gain
ing strength and improving generally.
Even as late as last nigi. he was making
plans for leaving the hospi. al anu resum-
ing his duties with the upper branch OF
Congress.
During last evening his wife and daugh-
ter remained at the hospital with him
He seemed to be cheerful and optimistic
and the members of his family, upon
leaving to return home for the night
felt sure he would soon be we'll enough
10 be removed TO his home Col. Ransdel
dropped off to sleep soon after his wife
and daughter left the hospital and
seemed to be sleeping comfortably.
About 1870 o'clock he woke up ant
stirred uneasily in his bed. His nurse
heard grOan and when she reached
his side his heart had stopped beating
A doctor was quickly summoned and he
pronounced the patient dead. Word wa:
Immediately sent TO his home, at 80
street northeast, and those of his family
| in the city hurried to the hospital.
Burial to Be in Indianapolis.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
been competed. but it has been de-
| termned that the burial will be at In
dianapolis. near which Col. Ransde.l was
born. and where he rose to p. ominence
Services will probably be he'd at the
family home here Sunday afternoon.
His wife. who survives, was Miss Mary
Cathcart of Indianapolis. His two daugh-
| ters-Mrs. r. A. Warner and Miss Char
| lotte Ransdell-are both in Washington
| He is also survived by three sons-Wi.-
liam j. Ransdell, a .esident of this city
! Dr. Robert c. Ransdel-. surgeon in the
4 navy who Is on board the baItleshir
| Utah. at Hampton roads, and Herve B
| Ransdell, a paymaster i'm the navy, who
| is now on the cruiser Wheeling in Santc
c-sy1t
| the two sons in the navy this morning.
| Col. Ransdelrs death was keenly felt
around the Capitol. where 1T became
known early this morning. Many sena
tors called his Office his residence Il
| inquire as to the truth of the report ant
ito express their sincere regrets when the
| report was confirmed. Ii was said at th'
| Capitol this morning that no official o.
Congress was more liked than was Col
Ransdell, and there was a sense of per
soma loss at his death among member:
of Congress and officials.
Intimate Friend of Harrison.
Col. Ransdell began his wide acquaint
ance in the National Capital when his in
innate friend and then President, Ben
jarnin Harrison. appointed him Unite
States marshal for the District of Coum
bia. After his election President Harri
son sent for Col. Ransden and told tn
colonel he desired him in Washington
and ont of that friendship grew the ap
pointment to the marshalship.
While Harrison was the occupant of tn
White House. Col. Ransdell was one O
his most intimate. if not the most init
mate, friend. Col. RansdelI was muc
at the White House, and his advice wa
many times sought by Pres dent Harri
! son on many problems, political an
; otherwise. The President would fire
quently call his friend by telephone a
night TO talk over some knotty probler
that was confronting the chief executive
; | 1t is related that President Harriso
commissioned Col. Ransdell to go and &c
| the resignation of a commissioner of Den
| sons with whom the President was dis
satisfied
Don't you come back here without IL.
was the final injunction of the Presiden
Col Ransdell. il is said. did not fin
! the task an easy one, and ii was o'cloc
in the morning before he left the hom
of the commissioner with the resigna
ton.
This is only one incident that is tol
i of the way President Harrison relic
upon Col. Ransdell Some said. ad
, mitted, of course an eXaggeration thu
President Harrison could not turn aroun
i unless Col Ransdell was at his elbow
Certain IL is that Col. Ransdell accom-
panied President Harrison on his trir
, through the country, notably having
! charge Harrison's swing around tn
! Continued on Eighth Page)