Evening star., 1933-03-02
Montana Senator Collapses
After Sudden Illness on
Train; Death Follows With
in Few Minutes.
BODY AT ROCKY MOUNT;
REACHES HERE TONIGHT
Prepared for Burial in Wedding
Suit-Teapot Dome Prosecutor,
Attorney General Designate, Had
Wed Cuban Widow in Havana
on Last Saturday.
BY the Associated Press.


ROCKY MOUNT, N. c., March
2.-Senator Thomas J. Walsh of
Montana died suddenly of a
heart attack aboard an Atlantic
Coast Line train near Wilson to-
day while en- route to Washington
with his bride whom he married
Saturday in Havana.
The Senator, who had just been
named Attorney General in the
cabinet of President-elect Roose-
velt, was stricken and died within
a few minutes as he lay face
downward in a berth in his draw
ing room. He was 73 years old.
Senator Walsh died at ITO am,
as Conductor Herbert Weathers-
bee, operating on the train be-
tween Florence, S. c., and Rocky
Mount, felt his pulse. Only the
conductor, Mrs. Walsh and her
Cuban maid, and a porter were
present.
Mrs Walsh was described as hys-
terical by Conductor Weatherspee, who
said he reached the Senator's side
at 1902.
THE Senator died while I held his
hand" Weatherspee said. Mrs. Walsh
was hysterical. A Dr.. Costello was
located on the train, but he arrived
after the Senator died"
The physician Weatherspee referred
to was Dr. Richard j. Costello of
Cambridge, Mass.
Doubled Up" in Pain.
Mrs. Walsh, who speaks little Eng
1ish told Weatherspee her husband
awakened about $50 am, and that
he was doubled up" in pain. She
said she found Senator Walsh holding
his stomach with his hands.
The Senator rose from his berth in
his drawing room and crossed over
to his wife's berth and there collapsed
face down, Mrs. Walsh said.
A porter was called and he raced
seven cars away to find Weatherspee
whom he told the Senator appeared
to be dying.
Weatherspee said he reached the
Senator's side in few minutes. felt
his pulse and that death came while
. he held his hand.
DR.. Costello had reached the draw
ing room by this time and, as the
train rolled into Wilson, DR.. M A.
Pittman was called to attend Mrs.
Walsh, who was in a highly nervous
state.
DR.. Pittman said the Senator was
dead when he arrived and that. IN
his opinion, he had died of a sudden
heart attack.
He was placed in charge by Mrs.
the Senator's body removed from the
train at Rocky Mount to be prepared
for burial
When the train reached here the
body was taken to the Bullock funeral
home, where it was prepared to be sent
10 Washington on Atlantic Coast
Line train No. 80, which leaves here at
R55 pm. and arrives in Washington
bit 10:45 pm. The Senator WILL be
puried in his wedding suit.
Mrs Walsh was first taken to the
Ricks Hotel by DR.. Pittman, who said
the was showing much emotionallsm.
A short while later she was removed
@ the home of Mr.. and Mrs. F. F.
6pruill. Spurill is a prominent ROCKY
Mount attorney and local counsel for
he Atlantic Coast Line Railway.
Widow Becomes Calmer.
At the Spurill home Mrs. Walsh
calmed down considerably" DR.. Pitt
man said, although she was still high
Y nervous"
DR.. Pittman quoted Mrs. Walsh as
aying Senator Walsh was Ill when
hev left Daytona Beach and that his
blood pressure there registered 200.
Weatherspee said Mrs Walsh insist
ID her husbands trouble was not with
his heart, but with his stomach.
Senator Walsh last week flew TO
iavana to marry Sonora NiveS Perez
Chaumont de Truffin, widow OF
realthy Havana business man. After
he marriage Saturday the couple pro-
eeded on their honeymoon to the
United States. They spent several days
Florida and left Daytona Beach last
light on their way to Washington.
springing into national prominence
lmost overnight as the prosecutor IN
he Teapot Dome oil scandal IN iva,
kenator Walsh became a central figure
a swiftly moving picture OF politlcai
vents that perhaps had no counterpart
the history of the country.
From committee room to Senate noor
nd back again, he delivered attack
fter attack on the Republican admin
Etration and was largely instrumental
forcing the resignation of one cabinet
aicer and bringing about the indict-
hent of Albert B. Fall. former In
hrior Secretary. and Edward L. Doheny
md Harry F. Sinclair on charges OF
riminal conspiracy in connection with
be leasing of the naval oil reserves.
Coming as it did in national politi-
al year, this service brought Senator
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