The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-03-14
npAru Of CHARLES SUMNER.

that ne seemed unusually bright and well
r and as his spells of sickness had OF late year
Q been of frequent occurrence, no special aiarn
n was felt at the announcement on TUESDAY
o evening that he was again i'll. He had at
tended the session of tho senate all day or
0 Tuesday, and enjoyed the satisfaction anG
. triumph of seeing presented to the senate by
his colleague, MI Hoar and hearing read
the resolution of the Massachusetts, Legislature
expunging from the journals of that body a
, former resolution in which Mr.. Sumner had
been ccnsured for offering in the senate his
hill in reference to captured rebel flags. 1t
was the proudest day Of his life, he hal
remarked, and he seemed TO enjoy it fully.
A dull financial debate followed, and Mr..
Sumner went over to the democratic side
where he seldom used to go, and sat down
and chattcd pleasantly with Senators Bogy,
Goldthwait of Georgia. and Sargent of Cali
fornla He hext went TO SREator Shurz, with
whom lie was most intimate, and cOnytr9cd
with him for long time in regard to the
future. He told Mr.. SChurz that he (Mr sum
ncr) owed 1t to him to take some part in the
financial debate Of which he had taken the
brunt alone He said he was very anxious to
do so and had partly prepared speech on the
finances; but he really did not feel able to
make the effort. Nlr. Schuz replied that he
should be glad to have the senator speak, but
he was willing to continue the fight as he had
done, and that Mr.. Summers first duty was to
look after his health. Senator Schurz then
noticed that Mr. Sumner was very nervous
He repeated his statement Of his anxiety to
speak several times, and seemed to be greatly
depressed with the consciousness of his weak
ness. He then moved over to the seat of
Senator Ferry, who had an affection of the
spinal chord like himself. and talked about
the malady. He left the senate about 3
O'Clock, inviting Congressman Pierce and
Perlcy Poor to take dinner with him. After
dinner Mr. Pierce left, but Poor remained
with him, Mr.. Sumner begging him TO do so
as he said he felt ill and symptoms of his old
attack. Mr.. Poor remained until 10 O'Clock,
but Sumner continued to walk the floor until
1 / and then went up stairs to go 10 bed, blt,
but on entering his room, fell down. He was
assisted to bed and his physician sent for, who
administered n hypodermic injection Of
morphia. Mr. Sumner still continuing in
great pain, asked his physician if there was
no other relief, and the physician replyinghe
knew of none, Mr. 5. remarked II know
relief meaning, it is supposed death, and
soon after fell asleep.
His dangerous condition now being fully
apparent notice was sent to his friends in
various directions Next morning and dur
ing the forenoon Mr.. Sumner continued to
suffer great pain at intervals and occasionally
relapsed into stupor. He never lost control
of his mind, however, and conycrsed good
deal with Judge lIoar and others, cnjoining
especially upon his colleague to see that the
Civil Rights Bill did not fail.
The condition of Mr.. 5. being known over
the city, the scene about his house all day
was strange and sorrowful. Great numbers
of people of all classes gathered there, among
whom the colorcd people especially mani
tested their interest Mr.. ). continued to sink
during the day, but with occasional intervals
when he seemed to rally and be tree from
pain. 1t was during one Of these intervals
that Mr. Schurz, to whom he seemed more
attached than any other senator, called TO see
him Mr. Schurz sat on the bedside, holding
his hand, which was very cold, there being
scarcely any indication Of circulation Of the
blood After little while, he asked Mr.
Sumner if he knew him. Mr.. Sumner then
opened his eyes very wide, tried to smile and
SAID "Why Of course | know you, Schuz."
he seemed to be fully conscious, and able to
converse. He could not see plainly, however,
and asked Mr.. Schurz what was before his
eyes that prevented HIM IRON seeing clearly.
lie tried to brush away the obstacle. Mr.
Schurz then asked him if he suffered great
pain He replied that he lid not, but said he
felt IA intense wearincs.
Mr. Shurz imagined him recovering and
left him but half an hour afterwards returned
and found him dying. He had been seized
with a terrible cOnvulsion, which was fol
lowed with a severe fit of vomiting, upon
which he turned over in his bed and almost
and quietly expired There
were in the room at the time Judge Hoar, Mr.
Hooper Dr. Tabor Johnson, \. i. johnson,
his former private secretary, and two attend
ants, The last words spoken by Mr.. Sumner
were addressed to Judge IIoar, who was SIT
ting on the side of the bead, and trying to in
duce circulation of the blood in mis- arms
Judge Hoar said to him: IL wish ! could get
some warmth into your hands" Mr.. Sumner
replied clearly, You never viii" This DC
Cured not more than 10 minutes before he
expired, and showed that he was conscious
until ,hc last lie expired at 2;45 p. NJ
The senate adjourned on Wednesday morn
ing Immediately on hearing of Mr. Summers
dangerous illness, and the house the moment
he expired. Neither house was in session