The New York herald., 1873-05-08
O A x E S A M e S.
The Great Shovsl-Maker Slowly Dyins-Grief
Of His Friends and Neighbors in North
Easton-Ir Aammaticn Of the Diaphragm
the Disease What the Physicians
Say-What Mr. Ames Has
Done for His Neighbors.

NORTH EAsToN, MASS, May 7, 1873.
Here, in the queer and quaint old town where
first he began to live, Oakes Ames lies with his life
slowly ebbng away, and before many hours he, too
will be numbered among che victims OF the Gre DIT
Mobilier. Mr.. Ames has been III since one week
ago yesterday, when he complained Of pain in the
stomach. This trouble continued until the alter
noon following, being then SO severe that he was
compelled to return home in the middle OF the
afternoon OF Thursday. He remained in North
Easton and sought medical advice resulting in a
diagnosis OF his disease as Inflammation OF the
diaphragm, somewhat resembling pleurisy. Mr..
Ames remained about home, however, until
the following Sunday, visiting MS office daily But
his disease became more aggravated, and on that
day he forced to remain in bed in spite OF his
strong will to keep about. At halfpast i've O'Clock
last Monday afternoon he was stricken with
paralysis in the right side and since that hour he
has been
GRADUALLY BUT SURELY SINKING
into the grave. At ten O'Clock tonight physician
who had just left the bedside OF the sufferer said
that TO all outward appearances there was no
change in the health of the patient, but that
ful observer would rate the difference in the tenn
perature OF the body and gradual sinking OF the
pulse, which are sufficient that the strong
man is almost literally dying by inches. "Posi-
three days, but the chances are very much against
such an assumption 1t certainly Is not at all
probable that he can live so long. am rather in
clined to the opinion that there Will be crisis
in the disease by tomorrow night at the
farthest" Mr.. Ames lies in q rear chamber OF
the old family mansion, built by his father
years ago, and suffers patiently. He is uncon-
scOus for the greater portion OF the time, and Is
ALToGETHER sPEECHLEsS.
Occasionally he. he recognizes s . friend by feeble
sisters, Mrs S. A. Witherell and Mrs. Mitchell OF
Boston; his brother, Mr.. Oliver Ames Mr.. Fred
erlck, son OF Mr.. oliver Ames, and Mr.: oakes
waiting m0urnfully for the end which is sure to
come. The people in and about North Easton have
and the town itself is q house Of mourning.
MI. Ames and North EastOn are almost synOny
nous terms. .Sixty-five years ago be came here
from Plymouth, Mass, poor boy with his father
and few years later learned the trade OF shovel
making at a forge. The old shop. where first he
worked, still stands as reminder Of the past
Business increased after while until Mr.. Ames
the architect OF his own fortunes achieved
NATIONAL REPUTATION.
In all his business wanderings, however, he has
never lost sight OF the town or his adoption. An
academy building here, and one OF the finest in the
nihcent donation OF $43 600 by the Ames family, and
there are other and permanent improvements,
which are tho work OF his benevOence. Mr.: Ames
here Is looked upon as everbody's friend. without
0stentation he has always carefully provided Tor
the wants of his employees and pays them a rate OF
During the financial crisis OF 1867 and 1885, say
they, Mr.. Ames not only helped himself through
the difficulty, but aided his neighbOrs too, that
they cannot but feel his loss as that OF near and
dear friend MIR. Ames' manner Of life among his
townsmen has been very simple. Entirely desti
tutc Of that conceit which sometimes accompanies
the possession OF great wealth, he deported himself
at home as sturdy selfreliant old farmer,
contented with himself when others are doing wel
and without one grain OF selflshness. He was here
there. and everywhere about the town, always
good natured, and ready to help anybody whom he
thought was trying TO help himself.
THE ANEJ CEMETERY
The cemetery wherein are deposited those who
have deceased in the Ames family Is located
about one mile and one-nalf from the depot
In 1t now repose the bodies OF the iather,
MOTHER grandfather, and grandmother Of
Mr.. Ames, besides several children. The
Ames lot lies IN a commanding position, en-
powered with trees and curbed with massive
granite, type OF the character Of he whose name
1t BEARS and who will soon rest therein. The
death oil Mr.. Ames will be felt here as II it were
PUBLIC CALAMITY.
Nothing has yet been said with regard to the future
management OF the business OF Mr.. Ames, although
it Is known that his death win make no difference
with the firm. II Is probable that Mr.. Oliver Ames
Will assume the direction OF affairs hereafter.