The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-20
HENRY RAINEY,
HOUSE LEADER,
DIES SUDDENLY
Beloved Speaker III Only
Two Weeks; Heart ALL
ment Blamed.
Ia YEARS OLD TODAY
Wife, Told of His Death,
BareS 'PreSentiment'
on Visit.

Copyright. 1894. BY United Press
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 20.-Henry
Thomas Rainey, Speaker of the
national house of representatives,
died suddenly of angina pectoris in
De Paul hospital at 7;5O o'clock
Sunday night while convalescing
from a mild attack of bronchial
pneumonia. He would have been IA
years old today.
Only three hours before the end,
the Speakers wife and a sister, who
had been with him throughout the
day, left for their home at Carroll
ton, Ill, on the assurance of attend
ing physicians that his condition
was thoroughly satisfactory under
the circumstances.
Despite the assurances, after two
consultations held at her request,
Mrs. Rainey told the United Press
she had what she described az "a
preSentiment" on leaving her hus-
band that it was the last time she
would ever see him alive.
Il told him good-by, feeling that
was our final parting" the Speakers
wife said. LAS I left the room, 1
heard him ask the nurse, Has she
gomez Immediately I took off my
hat and returned, saying: No, dear,
I have not gone yet
I'VE had a nice final talk. He
seemed very happy, and much bet
ter when 1 did leave. I, of course,
said nothing to him of my PRESENT.
ment, but L was sure he was near
death. Word of his passing, there
fore, was not the shock it otherwise
would have BEEN"
Today His Birthday
Although today was to have been
his birthday, no plans for its cele-
bration were made for the first time
since their marriage, Mrs. Rainey
said. She nevertheless assured her
husband on leaving him that she
would return today. Frequently
during his convalescence, she had
visited him.
The Widely-loved parliamentarlan
entered the hospital two weeks ago
to shake off the bronchial trouble
contracted during a summer political
campaign on behalf of New Deal
candidates. He was ordered to take
z. complete mental and physical rest
to regain his strength for the ardu-
Gus legislative duties of the winter.
He convalesced nicely" said DR..
Frank S%innegan. I'VE nevertheless
barred all visitors except his wife
and immediate members of his
family. All newspapers and mail
were kept from him, but the major
events of news we're told to him,
daily.
Blames Speaking Tour
"Nourishment he assimilated well,
His appetite appeared better by far
than when he entered. He suf-
fered no loss in weight, and his
condition Sunday afternoon was
what I would describe as just about
100 per cent. I told Mrs. Rainey
it would be all right if she returned
in about a week"
Mrs. Rainey attributed the heart
condition to the strain of speaking
in exceptionally hot weather which
prevailed during the past month.
1T was his heart, I am sure" she
said. DR.. Sinnegan added that I'M
doubtedly the strain Of the past SEES
sion Of congress had much to do
with failure of his heart, and that
it was not attributable to the pneu-
monia.
Plans for the funeral were not
Immediately formulated. The speak
er had expressed a wish that his
body be cremated, which Mrs.
Rainey said would be done. 1t was
understood that just a simple fam
lily funeral service would be held at
Carrollton, where the speaker was
born on Aug. 20, 1860.