Byrns, Joseph Wellington (1870-1936)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1936 Jun 10 p. 1

Birth date: 1870

text of obituary:

SPEAKER OF HOUSE IS CALLED BY DEATH

At Washington, D. C., Joseph Wellington Byrns, 66, speaker of the house died early on June 4, of a cerebral hemorrhage that struck him at the height of the drive for an early adjournment of congress.

The unexpected passing of the man who had ruled the house with a strong hand during the difficult times of the 74th congress threw deep uncertainty around the hopes of hi colleagues to end the current session within the next four days.

Dr. George W. Calver, the congressional physician, who attended him, reported that at 11 p. m. he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He died at 12:15 a.m. The speaker was at his accustomed post in the house during the day.