The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-06
BREMNER DIES Of
CANCER AFTER A
PROLONGED ILLNESS
Radium Fails to Cure New
Jersey Congressman.
Had Been Ill for
Years

Baltimore, Md, February 5.-Robert
Gum Bremner VINO won his way to the
national House of Representatives from
the seventh New Jersey district after a
career as varied, perhaps as any ever
sketched in the Congressional Record, died
here today He had been a cancer victim
for four years and came here last Decem-
Der to undergo radimum treatment, al
though he was told there was little hope
of prolonging his life more than few
months
The congressman was 50 years old and
married, but had no children. Funeral
services will be held at Passaic, n j.,
where the body was taken tonight.
Born in the northcrnmost county on
the mainland of Scotland the heritage OF
bravery handed down by Mr.. Bremner
forefafhers from their battles with the
sea sustained hnI through many trying
experiences as teacher, carpenter and
electrician, soldier, reporter, editor, pub
lishef and congressman.
Stricken with typhoid fever when a
private IN the Spansh-American war, Mr.
Bremner was obliged to return home.
lie borrowed money anu bought the Pas
sale Daily Herald, and rehabilltated the
publication. Physicians who attended Mr.
Bremner in his last illness said only his
indomitable will kept HIM alive for many
Weeks
. He had been suffering from the dis
case for four years. Mr.. Bremner was
- years old and married, but child
less.
Rrennc! came to a sanitorium in
this city to try the radium treatment
after physicians in Europe and in this
country had vainly tried to effect a
had made such inroads upon him that
little could be done 10 help him, and
the fight against death would be made
with all the odds against him.
At First Improved
The patient was optimistic and tubes
containing 100000 worth of radiun
were applied to the growth. For time
the patient seemed to improve and
r,embers of his family frequently eX-
pressed the belief that he would re-
cover.
The clung to this hope until few
days ago when the sick man was
seihed with a sinking spell.
From that time onward Mr.. Bremner
grew steadily weaker although he sew
eral times rallied in surprising man
nef, aided by his strong vitality ana
powerful Will.
In the last hours Mr.. Bremner still
Insisted that he would get well. He
declared that he wanted to go back
to Congress to, fight for bill to nave
governmental radium institute
secured so that this mineral could be
at the disposal of the rich and poor
alike.
/ Mr.-Bremner was a close personal
friend of President Wilson, who was
kept constantly advised of his condi-
tion and who frequently sent him mes
sages of sympathy and encouragement
accompanied with flowers
Elected While in Bed
The deaa man's election to Congress
wae accomplished while he lay in bed
ill., lie did not make speech. The
election is said to have been tribute
TO his pluck On the night before the
election President Wilson, then gov
ernor of New Jersey, visited Passaic
anG made a speech for Mr.. Bremner
Mir. Br~~.ner was a native of keisis
Caithness, Scotland, whence his fam
lily emigrated to Canada when he was
a. youth His mother, Mrs. Alexander
Br,mner, is living in Camille, Can
ada
Three of Representative Breflners
brothers and a sister were at the bed
side when O. ath occurred
The patient had been apparently un-
co,;scious since midnight, although
there appeared to be times when he
Vas aware. of what was going on
around him and talked 1nte1l1gently.
Since yesterday forenoon he had been
unable to articulate coherently. 1t Is
said he talked over the business af-.
fairs of the Passaic Herald, of which
he was owner as we'll as editor.
( He Instructed his legal counsel is
TO his wife's interests. Rev. Father
J>iernan, rector of a Catholic church at
Iassaic. will attend the funeral.
Mr.. Bremner was not a Catholic, but
he WAS warmly attached to Father
Kiernan and they had been close
friends for many years.
The funeral services will be held at
Alf. Bremner's late home at Passaic,
where the body will be taken possibly
to-day.