The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1914-02-20
Senator Bacon
Dies Suddenly

Washington. Feb. 14.-Augustus Oc-
tavius Bacon, United States Senator
from Georgia for nearly nineteen year
and chairman of the foreign relations
committee since the ascendency of
the democatic party to power March
4, 1913, died in a hospital here today
after an illness of 10 days. He was
the first Unitad States Senator elect
ed by direct vote of the people under
the 18th amendment.
Although Senator Bacon had been
seriously i'll with kidney trouble and
complications developing from brok-
en- rib, his death was unexpected. 1t
came suddenly at o'clock in the
afternoon and news of the end fell
upon the Senate as shock, while it
was in executive session.
The immediate cause of the sena-
tors death was diagnosed as a blood
clot in the heart. Throughout the
morning he had been in good spirits
and it was announced to his collea-
CUES that he was feeling better than
for several days. Physicians had de-
termined that an operation, which
had been contemplated, was unneces-
sary. Despite his 75 years. it appear
ed that the afiliction from which he
suffered was of recent origin and spe-
cialists believed it would yield to
( treatment. This conclusion relieved
considerably the anxiety of his friends
and associates in Congress.
Half an hour before his death the
senator talked with his daughter. Mrs,
w. b. Sparkes of Georgia. She had
left the room when he raised himself
in bed. AS Mrs. Sparkes re-entered
the room, her father fell back in col
lapse and never regained conscious
ness.
In the absence of Sen. Hoke Smith,
of Georgia, Senator Overman was
notified and proceedings In the SEN
ate halted when the North Carolina
senator announced the death. A brief
resolution OF respect was adopted and
the Senate adjourned.
For several minutes the senators,
shocked ar the sudden tidings re-
mained in the chamber discussing
what should be done, but later ar
rangements were made for a public
funeral to be held in the Senate cham
ber next Tuesday afternoon at two
O'Clock, to be attended by the Senate
and house of representatives. the
President of the United States and
his cabinet, justices of the Supreme
Court, members of the Diplomatic
corps, the admiral of the navy and
chief of the staff of the army.
The scene on the floor of the Senate
was an unusual one. Not only had
the death Of their colleague shocked
the senators. but the effect of his loss
at time when important foreign re-
lations measures Were pending, at
once impressed itself upon the minds
of democratic and republican leaders.
Informing the Senate of Senator
Bacor's death. Senator Overman said:
"In the absence of the senator from
Georgia, Mr.. Smith, it becomes my
painful duty to announce to the Sen
ate the death of Senator Bacon, at
| O'Clock this Afternoon in this city.
The sudden passing away OF this
great senator who came to this cnam-
her with all the honors which his ma
tive state could confer upon him and
who repaid that trust by his long,
honorable and industrious career in
this body, is an irreparable loss. not
| only to the Senate but to the people
of his state and also to the country
at large"
A resolution of respect was then
sent to the vice presidents desk and
adjournment followed.
A Senate committee was informal
! ly appointed to consult with the de-
ceased senator's daughter, as to her
wishes, it being the hope of his col
leagues that state funeral could be
held in keeping with the nigh position
Senator Bacon held in the service of
the nation. Vice President Marshall
and Senators Kern, Oyerman SwSn-
son and salisbury hurried TO the hos
pital and after confering, announced
that the funeral would be held at the
Senate chamter Tue lday. The Sen
ate will appoint a committee or ar
rangements Monday, when cards of
invitation Will be sent to the Presi-
dent, members of the cabinet and the
diplomatic corps.
The services will be conducted by
Rev. Forrest G. Prettyman, chaplain
of the Senate, assisted by an Episco-
pal rector to be selected by the family.
Senator Bacon's demise Games at a
time when general arbitration treat
les with foreign nations are to be TAX
en- up for disposition, the trearies
with Great Britain being of principal
concern to the administration. Only