The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-01

Washington. March 1.--Senator
John Fl. Bankhead, of Alabama, died
here today after an Illness of several
weeks from la grippe.
Senator Bankhead was ~ years old
and had been a member of the senate
since 1907. He had been In feeble
health for months, and had been con-
fined to his bed for nearly a month.
sFlis condition had rot been consid-
.elled serious, however, and until to-
uayt his physicians had reported him
STEADILY Improving.
senate Adjourns.
The senate adjourned as a mark of
respect as soon as Senator Bankhend S
death was announced in the chamber,
Senator Underwood, democrat. Ala
bama, announced TO the senate the
death of his colleague. Declaring that
Senator Banl1head had been the fore
most figure in the state OF Alabama for
a quarter OF century" he eulogized for
dead statesman as one whose career
had been marked by sterling character,
probity and devotion, 10 duty, and said
that his cath removed from the sem
ate the last member of that body who
had served In the army OF the Confed-
eracy.
The removal of Senator Rankhead's
body to his home in Jasper. Ala. will
lte III GlluIBNfH HOl d Iflt StFEthlit~hl-dIHiN
of the senate, accompanied by dele
CATION OF nine senators.
Senator BanlShead was first appointed
to fill tho vacancy left by the death Of
Senator John II. Morgan and was re-
elected in 1911 and 1918 His term
would have. ended March 3. 1926
Born at Moscow, now Sulligent. Ala,
in 1912 Mr. Bankhead had served in
Alabama general assembly during the
sessic of fS65-68. Priorto that he
served four years IN the confederatc
army As 4 captain OF the Sixteenth Ala
bama Volunteers, aud duripk the war
was wounded three tifiaea1 He again
served in tho state IegisIeture Ia
member OF THE. senstp, iSIFs5E aud ms
& lapmleF of sthe liNases ~ ssbrcsenta-
Atfvts Afif tsSn-St. From 1881 "a 1888 he
was warden of the Alabama state peni-
tentiary.
Career In Congress.
Senator Bankhcad's career In con-
gress began in December 1887. when he
was sworn in as representative in
the hftioth congress He served as II
member of the national house of rep
TCsentatiNes continually for ten terms.
In 1907. he was appointed a member Of
the inland waterways commission.
During his long career in Washington
Senator Bankhead was a leader In the
work of the committees on public build
ings and rivers and harbors and was
author of the law for federal aid to
post roads, Tho Bankhead highway. TO
run from Washington to Los Angeles.
Cal, is named for him. Senator Bank
head married Miss Tallulah Brockman,
of Greenville. S. c.. in 1866. A son,
William Brockman Bankhead, now rep
reseuts the Tenth Alabama district In
congress.
Oldest Man In Senate.
Senator Bankhead at n was the old
est man in the senate. A delegation
of good road enthusiasts representing
several southern states came up TO
visit him several weeks ago at his in
vitation, TO help arrange for the annual
convention of the United States Goods
association at Hot Springs ARK. In
spite Of inclement weather at the
capital. Senator I}anlkhead insisted upon
making a series OF calls to the white
House and other points in official
Washington helping out their mission.
A slight cold contracted during his
| journeyinR about, grew worse, but his
condition was not considered serious
by his family or official associates. and
he was considered wen on the road To
recovery today His heart. however,
weakened by the strain, and age, gave
way today and he died at | ., m. with
unexpected suddcnncss.