Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-30

Boston. Aug. ee.-John Davis Long
is dead. The former Governor OF
Massachusetts, and Secretary of the
Navy. died suddenly at $50 last night
at his home in bingham, at the age
Of Il years.
Death was due to urenia, and al
though he was forced through illness
to return on Thursday night from his
boyhood home in Bucksfield. Me, the
end was unexpected.
Mrs. Long and their son Pierce, an
attorney. were at the bedside. but the
dying man failed to emerge from a
state of coma into which he sank
early yesterday morning.
Funeral arrangements had not been
made last night, but all flags in Hing
ham and other Massachusetts cities
will be half master today and the IA
nous bingham chimes will toll a
death knell for the departed patriot,
statesman and poet.
A statement given out by Pierce
Long and DR.. c. P. Day, the family
physician. said:
'Mr. Long unexpectedly returned
from Buckfeld, Me-. with Mrs. Long
on Thursday night, Aug. IS, as the
result Of an attack Of angina pectoris
with uremic symptoms which develop
ed several days before. The following
day he showed improvement and was
able to be up. although confined to
his room for treatment. Friday night
Mr.. Long was seized with a second
attack of angina pectoris. followed
BY a development of uremia, and re-
manned practically unconscious until
the end, which came at $50 Saturday
night"
He is survived by widow, one
daughter. Margaret, who is a physi-
clan in Denver, Colo. and son,
Pierce Long. an attorney. A second
daughter Helen died during her faith
er's incumbency as Secretary Of the
Navy.
Near to Presidency
John D. Long by a queer combina-
don OF circumstances just missed be-
ing President Of the United States.
At the convention which nominated
Mckinley for a second term there
was no recognized candidate for the
vice. presidency. President Mckinley
was anxious to have Mr.. Long as his
running mate. Senator Mark Hanna.
Ills manager. was likewise in favor of
Mr.. Long. The nomination Of Long
was as good as settled until Senator
Plat of New York. anxious to get rid
of Roosevelt as Governor. insisted
upon the nomination of Colonel
Roosevelt for second place. Presi-
dent Mckinley and Hanna protested
and declared for Long. but Plat was
insistent. Plat won his point, Roose-
welt agreed to run. and Long was left
off the ticket. But for Platt, Secre.
tary Long would have been chief mag
istrate of the nation at Mckinley's
death.
John D. Long had an ambition as &
boy. He wished to become a lawyer
a scholarly lawyer-and then a states
man. He conceived this ambition wher
school lad in the old-fashioned ooun-'
try town OF Buckfield, Me. From the
age of II he devoted every energy t.
the attainment of that boyhood idea
and achieved a measure of success:
which was gratifying to himself, a!
well as to those who claim that sue
cess is in the reach of all who contend
for and deserve it. Never but one,
had defeat Swallowed endeavor ant
that repulse was inconsequenttal ani
probably fortunate. He aspired to the
United States Senate. Defeat made hin
leading member Of the cabinet.
He was born in Buckfield, Me, Oct
81. 1888. and was descended from lonl
line Of New England ancestors. Hi
great-grandfather. Miles Long. came
from North Carolina to Plymouth, ant
in 1910 married Thankful. daughter o.
Israel Clark. the great great-grand
son Of Thomas Clark. who came t,
America on the Auri in 1923 Miles Lont
had a son named Thomas, who mar
ried Bathsheba, daughter Of Zado,
Churchill
Thomas Long moved to Buckfeld
and had n son, whom he named Zadoc
born in 1901. In 1924 Zadoc Long mar
ried Julia Temple Davis, and to then
!, was born John Davis Long.
His grandfather was q fisherman
farmer and shoemaker. He came b!
Packet from Plymouth to Salem. il
which town he lived for some time, fol
lowing the life Of a fisherman, ant
when fishing was out Of season mad
shoes and boots of most substantial
build firing of this, he made q stout