The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-03-13
Death of Charles Sumner.

WASHINGTON, March ll.-Senator
Summer died at quarter TO three. He
passed away calmly without struggle.
During the last two hours of Mr..
Summers illness his intellect seemed to
be much clearer, and he was perfectly
conscious to the last. This condition
was doubtless the result of his recovery
from the effects of morphine, which had
been freely administered to him this
morning. His sufferings toward the
last seemed to be intense, and he seve-
raj times exclaimed, 81 want quiet,
am tired" He recognized friends who
came into the room. One of the last
to whom he spoke was Attorney Gener-
al Hoar, to whom hesaid, "Take care
Of my civil rights BILL
About quarter before three o'clock
he was attacked by slight spasm, in
which he died. Around his bed at the
time were eX-Attorney General Hoar,
DIR. w. P. johnson, of this city, Major
Ben. Peerly Poore, George T. Downing
and James Wormley. Other friends
who had been with the dying Senator
throughout the day had just left previ-
Gus, not anticipating that death would
be so soon. Senator Schurz and Hon.
Montgomery Blair entered the room just
as he breathed his last, but Mr.. Summer
was then too near dissolution to recognize
them.
The only relative that Senator Sum-
ner has is sister, wife of physicians
in Sanfrancisco, and to her the sad news
was telegraphed Immediately after his
death. During the day the house was
visited by great number of members
of both Houses of Congress and other
prominent citizens, and hundreds of col
ored people, prominent among whom
was Fred. Douglass. The sidewalk in
front of Mr.. Summers residence was
filed with anxious and saddened friends
at the time of his death, and when the
sorrowful announcement was made the
grief of many, especially of colored peo-
pie. found vent in heartfelt exclama-
tions of grief and weeping. Sergeant
alarms French, of the Senate, was sent
for Immediately, and that official, in
connection with a committee, will have
charge of the funeral arrangements,
though of course no time has been fixed
therefor. The funeral ceremonies will
take place in the Senate Chamber.
Mr.. Summers age at the time of his
death was sixty-three years, two months
and FIVE days, Senator Sumner had
been solicitous for his health for several
days past, the part lie has taken in ques-
tions before the Senate having given him
reason to pay especial regard to it, and
he remarked last night to friend some
hours before he was attacked with Sc
rious spasm, which in few hours cul-
minated in his death, that he wanted to
talk to HIM about his health. He was
afraid he was working too hard.
Senator Summer, at about two o'clock
yesterday afternoon, moved from his
seat in the Senate Chamber to one beside
Senator Sargent, and inquired of Sar-
gent, who, like himself, had taken a
prominent part in opposition to the
Centennial bill, whether he had received
any anonymous insulting letters on the
subject, and adding that he (Sumner)
had received number of such letters, |
and packages of more offensive char |
acter, both through the mail and by ex-
T. 4
by these insults, and Sergeant therefore
turned the conversation TO the resolu-
tions Of Massachusetts Legislature, re-
ending itscensure ofsumDer and heck