The Washington times., 1912-01-08
JOHN LANE DEAD,
LAST NAN TO see
WASH|NGTON'SFAc[
Pioneer Citizen of Capital
Stricken With Vertigo at
1 Age Of S8.

Fatally stricken last wednesday BY
the first illness OF his eventful life of
cighty.eiRht years. John Lane, re-
nowned Tor ycars % the last living man
to look upon the face of George WASH
ington. ami well known In this city for
more than half a century as a business
man. died at his home, 1916 p street
northwest. last evening at 1880 o'clock.
He had been unconscious since Fri
day.
\ Enjoying his usual perfect health, last
"Wednesday Mr.. Lane was tsnding In
tile yard Of ,hip hone, when he sud
denly was seized with vertigo. falling to
the ground. His daughters, Mrs NJ. L.
Lame and Mrs. Clarence Cullen. who
were in the house at the time, rushed
% their fathers assistance. medical aid
being summoned at once. His right side
wes psralyAed, and physicians said y
blood clot had settled IN ono lobe Of
the brain. and that only his wonderful
vitality was keeping him alive.
Physican's Efforts In Vain.
Efforts were made to reduce the clot
by absorption. but these were unavail-
ang. and the patient slowly sank.
Up to the hour OF his seizure the won
0srfui memory Of the man had suffered
no relapse from age, and he could re-
call ~ passing events. affairs which
1ong uince have gone to make the his
tory Of the nation. He told Of the times
when Warrington was q mere struggling
village In the woods ana swamps, and
when there was good snipe and duck
hunting even as near to the White
House ~ whore Franklin Square now
- situated.
His most treasured memory, however,
was that Of the last view Of the classic
features Of George Washington. Mr..
Lane was small lad. and accompanied
the group Of Congressman and noted
men who formed the committee which
witnessed the transfer Of the leaden
caskst Of the great leader from its first
resting place in the old tomb on the
MI Vernon farm to its present sar-
cophasus in the brick vault.
owe rom e OF the eS
q the rotted wood of the earlier case,
9ne giass over the face Of the first
rresident was polished. and those of the
look At the features Of. the man who
mad done most In the formation OF the
Gepuhnc.A The small boy was almost for
csten ct this time. but he climbed upon
lhouidsrs OF the Others saw what was s
n the casket.
Impressed BY yisage.
Throughout his life he told of the
Impressions he received by that look.
% the Appearance OF the finely chiseled
Gestures. the prominent nose, and the
!. pvwer OF the visage. even in death. The
Oody was lying on Its side, and the
profile View was the one the witnesses
obtained. The preservation Of the body
was complete, and save for a mark Wis
1hte where part Of the face had risen
above the alcohol with which the basket
had been filled. the face was fiawless.
Mr.. Lane often told how he was i'm
pressed By the size Of the body, and the
hsrcuiean proportions Of the head and
shoulders. The body was placed in
the new vault in such q manner that
evaporation Of the alcohol has been re-
MT. Lane often was reminiscent Of
early statesmen In the Capital, when
relations between the visiting states
men and the residents of the city were
Guliarities Of Henry Clay. and Daniel
Webster, and Of the acts Of Andrew
Jackson when President OF the nation.
Born in Richmond. Va. Mr.; Lane
forefathefs having come to America
With the earliest colonists. He was a
great-great-nephew of Ethen Allen Of
He came 70 the District when ST.
years old, and later established himself
IN Wholesale fruit business at about
the time Of the civil war. being one Of
the best known business men OF the
Capital He retired In 1873
Stopped Using Tobacco.
Although an inveterate smoker
throughout his long life, about two
years ago he decided that smoking was
NOT good for . man. of his age. and since
then he had not used tobacco.
He attributed his long life and per-
feet health to his answering regular
ity In all the habits OF his life.
Funeral services will be held tomor-
rev afternoon at o'clock at the fam
lily home. the Rev. James #. Mackin,
Of 81. Faurs Catholic Church, officiat-
ing. In accordance with the expressed
wish Of Mr.. Lane, the funeral cere-
monica Win be of extreme simplicity.
There Will be no honorary plllbearers.
After the ceremonies at the home, the
bedy will be taken TO the family plot
- Oak HUI Cemetery. where interment
VIII be made.