DEATH OF THE HON. J. S. COVERT.

Year
1881
Month
3
Day
4
Article Title
DEATH OF THE HON. J. S. COVERT.
Page Number
2
Article Type
Language
Article Contents
The following is a Fredericton despatch of yesterday in reference to the death of the Hon. J.S. Covert, M.P.P., for Sunbury, briefly noticed in a part of yesterday’s edition: The House is in mourning this morning, and all hearts are sad. John. S. Covert, of Sunbury, died at the Queen Hotel at 10 o’clock this morning of heart disease. He made a very powerful speech on Mr. Blair’s resolutions yesterday afternoon, in which he spoke with unusual force and vigor, but he complained of a severe pain in the region of his heart, both while speaking and afterwards. While at tea, he was taken suddenly very ill and was not in the House during the evening session till he was brought when the vote was about to be taken, at which time he was much better. Although suffering, he said but little about it. After adjournment he conversed quite freely while the members of the House before returning to the hotel. Later several members were in company with him at the hotel, and although pale, he was not complaining, but talked as lively as ever. How he spent the night will never be known, as he was in his room alone. This morning he was somewhat better when Mr. Gillespie called in to see him before going to breakfast. Mr. Gillespie was gone but a short time when he returned, about ten o’clock, he found Mr. Covert lying on the floor of his room partly dressed, face downward, bleeding somewhat, at the nose, and when Dr. Vail arrived, a few minutes later, there was still a slight flutter in the region of the heart, but his life was gone. Mr. Covert died in the political harness, having finished one of ablest speeches only a few hours before. When the House met this morning, after a few bills had been read, a message was sent to the speaker advising him of the fact. After a momentary pause, with trembling lips and deep emotion in every word, the Speaker said: “it is my painful duty to announce to this House the sudden death of an honorable member of this House.” Another pause, in which a moment’s suspense seemed an age, and the Speaker mentioned the name of the honorable member for Sunbury. The House was paralyzed for a moment, and all gathered around the Speaker a chair to learn the sad particulars. Both Houses have adjourned in consequence till to-morrow, and meetings of all committees have been postponed. No inquest was held. The remains will be taken to his home at Maugerville tomorrow morning. Mr. Covert was fifty three years of age. A.A. Sterling Esq., his brother-in-law, has gone down to impart the sad news to Mrs. Covert. Mr. Covert, as stated yesterday, has been a member of the Local Legislature of this Province continually since 1868. In 1871-2, he was a member of the Executive Council, the period of office covering about one year. The deceased, who was for some time Leader of the Local Opposition, came from an old Loyalist family. He was highly respected by all who knew him, for his unassuming ways and good qualities generally. As a representative he appears to have been held in high esteem by his constituents, and he was returned without opposition at the last Election. He was for some years engaged in shipbuilding, and also took considerable interest in agricultural matters.