The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-04
SUDDEN DEATH OF GEs. CnsRLES C. Hal
PINE (nILEs O'aEILLY), CITY REGISTER.

Early yesterday morning a startling rumor pre-
vailed In the neighborhood or the City Hall to the
| effect that General Charles G. Hapne, Register OF
the city land county OF New YORK, more widely
| known under his famous nom de plume OF Smiles
| O'Rellly," had suddenly died at the Astor House,
and to the great grief Of tae community ii soon
dlso"Ve'eu nat the painfui rumor was too true.
Sumoerless were the inquiries made OF the propri-
etors and employees Of the hotel but little could be
learned during the excitement which prevailed saw
ing the bare facts that General Halpne had regis
tered MS name on Saturday evening, and, having
remarked that he did not feel altogether we'll, had
ret'red TO rest in the apartment assigned TO him
room 1907 and that on Sunday he rose feeling no
better, was very restless during the day, and
about eight O'Clock in the evening was taken
SO seriously Ill that medical assistance was
sent for but unfortunately before the arrival Of the
| doctor the sufferer became unconscious, and re-
| NAMED 80 until ten minutes past midnight, when he
expired without struggle. The sad intelligence
spread with lighnnglike rapidity and in short time
the once OF the Register was beseged with friends
OF the lamented deceased eager to obtain some fur
Their particulars of his sudden taking or Mr. Saw
age, the Deputy Register, who was a tried and valued
friend Of his much beloved principal was so shocked
aid SORROW stricken at the suddenness OF the caami
ty that he was almost unequal 10 the task of answer
ing the inquired Of sympathizing visitors 1t ap-
pears from the statements made by Mr.. Savage,
that General Hapine has snnersd very much during
the past week from the effects Of partial sunstroke,
received some ten days ago while driving In an open
carriage, and that Notwithstanding thc advice ana
entreaties of his friends he persisted in perform
ing his official and editorial duties as usual
and to this excessive fatigue, resulting from such
over-exerton, mentally and physically, the fatal
farm nth Of tliua1. 10 N at
tributable. On making ON examination OF the body
DIR. Abbot q. Whitney, the family physician, who
was thoroughly acquainted with the habits and con-
stitution OF the deceased gave 1t his opinion that
congestion Of the brain was the immediate cause Of
death. In view Of the fact that General Halpine had
been in the habit OF inhang chOroform for the pur-
pose of alternating his sufferings, and that some
small phals which had evidently contained this
drug were found in the room occupied by HIM at the
Astor House, the suppositon has arisen that conges
ton may have been occasioned by an overdose Of
this powerful anasthetic. The post mortem
examination which will be made to-day
WILL however determine the cause of death.
Ending his nervous system Frustrated by the COM
bined effects Of exposure to the sun and excessive
brainwOrk, General Hapine recently made short
visit to Long Branch and derived considerable benefit
from sea bathing Returning to the city he put him.
feel himself recovering than he applied himself more
closely than to his Official duties and literary
labOrs and brought about serious relapse On Satur
day last having been detained al the Registers office
until a late hour, endeavOrlng to finish up some
official business which had been delayed through
his other occupations, the deceased determined upon
remaining down town instead OF undertaking the
long ride to his home on west FOrty-seventh
street. He therefore went to the Aston House,
and, making light of his indsposltlon he retired to
his room In the hope that the pains he was then en-
during would pass away with a good nights rest
Alas never more was he to enjoy rest on earth. AS
he had indicated his intention OF going out of town
when he left home on Saturday morning, General
Hapne did not think II necessary to let his family
know of his Illness as he feared Il might occasion
them needless alarm. On sunday afternoon, about
five O'Clock, he sent prescription, signed whitney,
M. D., for half an ounce OF chior0forn, to Dr. swan
OF the Aston House; but that gentleman fearing that
the patient might not properly understand the power
Of the drug directed that only quarter of an ounce
should be put up and the bottle filed with alcohol.
IL appears that General Halpine used this but nding
that 1t did not relieve his internal pains he went
down to the office, obtained some money and pur-
chased more chloroform at liudnut's drug store, In
the HERALD Building. About eight O'Clock one OF
the walters ct the Astor House entered General Hal
pines room and found him suffering intensely. DIR.
swan was immediately called n,bu the patient was
unconscious, and by en minutes past twelve all was
over.
In the course of the morning Coroner Flynn was
notified OF the death, and at once proceeded to the
residence IS West Forty seventh street. the remains
having been removed there shortly before daylight
AS the lasi sad offices were not YET completed the
mouInful duty Of describing the appearance or the
distinguished dead deferred until the final task
shall have been performed preparatory TO consign-
ing the honored dust to Its last resting place. Suffice
II now to say that death has not changed the lea-
lures and the expression Is one OF perfect rcpose.
post norton examination will be made at an
early hour this morning and the inquest will COM
mence at eleven O'Clock. The following are the
names OF the gentlemen composing the Jury:-John
Scott 81 Eldridge street; Charles l.. McClanachan,
IS Eighth street; John Heay, 50 New Chambers
street. James Horson, "a Tenth avenue; John O. Hal
ligan, ia Chrystie street, and Charles Rock, 237
The nags OF the different newspaper Offices as well
those the City Hail. the principal hotels, public
buildings and many private houses were displayed
al half mast yesterday In token VI respect to the
memory OF General Halpine. IL Is understood that
both branches OF the Common Council will meet to-
day 10 make arrangements for h0DOrlng the memory
Of tie iamented deceased.
sketch Of the Life Of Charles a. HaIpiue.
or the brilliant career OF the deceased 80 fresh In
the minds OF the public as poet excellng in song,
prose writer soldier and politician, 1t seems almost
supernuous to speak at this time He was the Ad-
mirabe Crlchton OF our day. In private society no
one was 80 popular as wit or brilliant as CONVEX
sationist, and as an author, being a man Of large
scholastic attainments he was as prolific as he was
inventive, srgumentative, incisive, elegant and
humorous. His knowledge Of human nature was
large and In his most jovial or most serious mo-
ments none surpassed him In what might be termed
the intuitive faculty Of measuring men" intelec.
ITALY. Had he been as earnest as he was mentally
large his ife brief has been, would have proved
4 magnificent success, but, not wanting in the
mercurial, impusive, fun-lovng temperament of
his coun,rymen. he would rather have his harmless
Joke than ''seze the crown" even II placed within
his reach. And yet despite this weakness II such II
can be called, he rose perforce, almost without his
seeking, to places OF honor and trust and profit
which thousands have exhausted their years In
climbing to attain, and falling with all their resolu.
ton, at the end.
General Halpine was man OF splendid physique.
His body was as finely developed as his mind, and
with ordinary ought TO have carried him safely
over seven OF the decadal arches Of the bridge of
le But 1t was not to be. His labors in the neld az
a soldier, his untiring work and studies In the
cabinet, his convivial nature all combined to weaken
his constitution, and make II peculiarly susceptible
TO those diseases which exposure 10 the rapid
changes Of our climate too often induce.
The family OF which General Halpine was scion
il ancient and most respectable-One which couple
OF centuries ago was among the most influential OF
10 rpaid ed w 10 y