The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-03-09
CHAMP CLARK IS TAKEN
BY DEATH As TERM ENOS
Ex.Speaker and Native Ken
tuckian Expires Within Two
Days OF Retirement

Washington, March Champ
Clark died here today at 2:10 p. m.
in his seventy-first year and within
two days of his retirement from the
House of Representatives after
service of twenty-six years.
Death was due to an attack Of
pleurisy and a complication Of dis
eases incident to his advanced age.
Up to ten days ago, however, when
he developed a severe cold, Mr..
Clark had shared actively in pro-
ceedings of the House as Democra-
tic leader.
House Recesses
Immediately after the death Of
Mr.. Clark was announced the House
recessed for thirty minutes. Rep
resentative Rucker, Democrat, Mis-
souri,, who made the announcement,
said 1t was Mr.. Clark's wish, as ex-
pressed through his son, that there
be no interruption Of Congress in
its closing days.
Immediately on reconvening after
the thirty-minute recess the House
adopted a resolution providing for
the payment to Mrs. Clark of a
years salary, totaling about $4,000.
To his last moments the former
Speakers mind was engrossed with
memories of his long legislative ca
reer. Just before he lapsed into
final Inconsistencies early today
those at his bedside heard him
whisper: 1.-THE question is on the
adoption of the conference report"
At Mr.. Clark's bedside when the
end came were Mrs. Clark, their
son, Bennett Clark, and their daugh-
ter, Mrs. James M. Thomson of
New Orleans.
Burial In Missouri
Members of Mr.. Clark's family
left the funeral arrangements to
congressional leaders, who express
ed the wish to have services Satur-
day in the rotunda of the Capitol
before sending the body to the old
home in Bowling Green, Mo-, for
burial. A large delegation of Rep
resentatives and Senators will ac-,
company the body to that place.
Mr.. Clark presided over the
House throughout the World War,
relinquishing the Speakership after
eight years when the Republicans
regained control last year as re-
suit of their victories in the 1918
Congressional elections. He then
was chosen Democratic leader in
the House.
During the present session it was
apparent that the former Speakers
health was failing. He walked
slowly, with a dragging step. While
he usually was on the floor and fol-
lowed proceedings closely he rare
ly engaged in debate. On one or
two occasions however, he spoke at
some length on important ques-
tions.
End fastened by GrandsOn's Death
Close friends believe his death
was fastened by the death a year
ago of his only grandchild, Champ
Clark Thomson. 3-year-old son of
Mr.. and Mrs. James M. Thomson.
He was passionately fond of his
grandson, and associates say that
after the child's death they noticed
a perceptible change in his condi-
tion, which in the spring of 1920
alarmed his family.
During the summer and fall,
however, he regained vigor and
took an active part in his campaign |
for reelection in Missouri. AL
though he ran ahead Of his ticket,
Mr.. Clark was defeated by approx
mately 5000 votes, Judge T. w.
Hukriede of Warrenton, Mo-, being
elected.
The former Speaker first was
sent to Congress in 1892, and after
serving one term he was defeated
for reelection. Two years later, !
however. he was again returned to
Congress and has served continu-
ously since that time. He soon be-
came national figure and was
chosen Speaker when the Demo-
Gratis gained control of the House
during the last year of President
Taft's Administration.
His Fight at Baltimore
In the Democratic National Con-
vention at Baltimore in 1912
Champ Clark led ON twenty-seyen