The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-27
ASKED
SIMPLE
RITES
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N0nIinueQ from NSb EdSSJ
than curtail his strenuous activities.
Bryan's lifeless body was discoy-
cred by Jim Mccartney, the family
chauffeur. The Commoner had re-
turned here at 8 o'clock Sunday
morning after speaking in Win
chester, Tenn, and calling upon
publishers in Chattanooga. He at
tended services later at the South
ern. Methodist Church and led the
congregation in prayer. At noon
ne ate a hearty meal and at about
2:30 d. m, as was his usual custom,
lay down for an afternoon nap.
Mrs. Bryan and Mccartney were
the only other persons in the house
at the time. Once or twice during
the next two hours they heard him
snoring and when he didn't get up
at 4:30, Mrs. Bryan thought that
It was merely that he was sleeping
longer than usual. At $3.50. Nc
Cartney went in to awaken him.
He touched his feet and when
Bryan did not respond looked closely
at his face and Immediately called
for a doctor. Doctor Albert G.
Broyles and Doctor w. f.. Thomason
responded on the run and pro-
nounced Bryan dead. They esti-
mated that the end had come about
three-quarters of an hour before
they saw the body.
Spoke Once to Wife
Bryan's last words were spoken
to his wife just before he went to
sleep. The flies had been bother
ing him and he was killing them
with a fly-swatter. He disposed of
one, remarked: We'll, / got that
one" and closed his eyes for the
last time.
The body was taken Sunday eve
ming to an undertaking establish
ment for embalm;ng and was
brought back. later 20 the home of
Richard Rogers. where Bryan died.
The four Dayton lawyers who were
associated with Bryan in the prose
cution of John Thomas Scopes for
teaching evolution-S. K. Hicks,
Herbert Hicks, Gor6ons Mckenzie
and Wallace Haggard-watched
over the body during the night.
It was thought this morning that
the funeral train would not leave
for Washington before tomorrow,
definite arrangements being held in
allegiance until word is received
from the Commoner's only son, Will
lam Jennings BRYAN. jr.. of Los
Angeles. The younger BRYAN had
Just returned home after assisting
his father. in the trial here. He is
expected to go direct to Washing
ton from Los Angeles for the funeral.
Rites to Be Simple
1--WE are simple folks" said Mrs.
Bryan today. land / want all the
arrangements for the burial to be
simple" Il
All places of business in Dayton
were closed TODAY as the hundreds
OF residents Of the town who had
come to know Bryan intimately and
who regarded him as their ma
tional religious leader. filed slowly
the Rogers home to pay
their final honors 20 the man who
had come MANY miles and was
found in the froi:t line in defense
of the law Of their State.
Mayor A. p. Haggard, as soon
as he was informed of Bryan's
death, issued the following state
ment:
ITO the people OF the City of
Dayton: William Jennings Bryan,
the foremost citizen of the world.
has fallen while an honored guest
of our city. Dayton has never
before been so honored as by his
twenty days sojourn in our midst.
While in the line of duty in the
cause dearest to his heart in all
his honorable and noble career, all
Dayton mourns his untimely death
and as an expression of supreme
respect to and honor for him, /.
A. P. Haggard, chairman of the
Board of Commissioners for the
City of Dayton, do hereby declare
holiday and do hereby call on all
places OF business to display their
flags At half mast and refrain
from all avocations as a token of
our sorrow for his untimely
death"
MouIned 9D Chief Opponent
Doctor George w. Rappleyea,
who started the proceedings against
Scopes which caused Bryan to
come here, said he felt partly
responsible" for his death.
Had only known what it
would have led to-" Rappleyea said, :
'T would never have signed the
warrant for Scopes and there
wouldn't have been any evolution
case. Mr. Bryan died fighting for
his ideals. We were on opposite
sides, but / feel that his friendship
for me was one of the greatest
privileges of my life"
One of the results of the anti
evolution case here was To have
been the establishment Of Bryan
University" school devoted to
the teaching Of doctrines based on
fundamental religious views. Bryan,
OF course, was greatly interested in