Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-23
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
IT 4 T II F.
Daily Asanebet youraal.
Death Of Vice President Wilson.
HIS DfceGsc rery Sudden.
Arrangements in Progress
cath Of Vice President Wilson.
Us DfceGse rery Sudden.
arrangements in Progress
for the Funeral.
Pa rticulars of the Sad Event.

Washington, November -. Vice President
Wilson died very suddenly at 80 this morning
He rested well last night, and awoke at a. M.
and expressed himself feeling bright and bet
ter, sat up in bed to take his medicine, laid down
on his left side, and expired in few moments,
without a struggle.
The President was notified of the Vice Presi-
dents death about o'clock and Immediately
called a special meeting of the cabinet at 1870 a.
M, at which time all the members were present
except Secretary Robson, who is absent from the
city. The action of the cabinet will be made pub
lie Immediately after adjournment.
1t having been represented last night that the
Vice President had so much improved that he
would be able to leave the city for the north this
week, the intelligence of his sudden death this
morning. fell With startling force and sadness on
the community
The Vice President seemed on Saturday to be
great deal better than at any other time during
his late sickness, but yesterday he was not quite
so well. Postmaster Burt OF Boston, called in the
morning and had a pleasant conversation with
him. Mr. Crossman of New York, a literary
friend, also visited him on business, concerning
the unfinished volume of the Vice Presidents
work on slavery. The Nice President then slept
until o'clock, when he rose. Mr.. Crossman re-
turned at clock lat the Vice Presidents request,
and remained until evening. The Nice1'res dent
went to bed at an early hour, and slept tolerably
well during the night.
In MS waking Intervals ne asked I0f wafer
About midnight he got up and walked around his
room, then going to his table took up little book
of poems entitled The Changed Cross" with the
motto "Not as will, but as thou wilt, and read
several verses from it. The volume belonged to
his wife and contained photograph of her and
their son, both deceased.
lie treasured 1t beyond value, ami always made
it his companion, from which he seemed to derive
much comfort. After reading the verses he spoke
with gratitude of the kindness Of his friends dur
lug his sickness, and of the wide spread sym
pathy in his behalf. lie then returned to bed in
happy mood and slept.
A three o'clock this morning he awoke COM
planning Of PAIN in his stomach to one of his at
tendants. When this was relieved, he again fell
asleep. At seven O'Clock he awoke, remarkng
that he ftlt better and brighter than at any time
previously. He said that he going to ride
out to-day, as his physician, Dr. Baxter, advised
him to do so if the weather was fair AT twenty
minutes past seven O'Clock, he said LIE would get
up and take breakfast.
lie the n called FOR bitter water which had here
tofore been prescribed, and having drank it he
laid with his left side the pillows as if with sud
den exhaustion, breathing heavily but uttering no
words, and in a few minutes died without a strug-
gle. The body has been laid ont in the Vice Pres
ldent's room.
y meeting OF Senators now here, members of
the cabinet and judges of the supreme court, has
been called to meet at noon, and take action. The
friends of the deceased in Massachusetts, have
been adVlSed OF The solemn event.
Tho following additional details are obtained
from Messrs. 5. A. Boydcn and F. A. Wood, who
were alternately the Vice Presidents attendants
throughout the night. Boyden is a lieutenant of
the capitol police, who was selected by Mr.. Will
son to be with him as much as possible on account
of their old friendship formed years ago in Natick,
Mass.
Yesterday evening the Vice President said, ''If
the doctor was here, I'd have a blister put on the
back of my neck instead Of this plaster" Mr.
Wood replied that he could manage that without
the doctor to which Mr.. Wilson rejoined Eyes, bu t
don't want to take the responsibility
His attendaSt than asked if he would not like to
have message sent to the doctor, but be said,
after thinking moment, at is not worth while. y
A few moments after Mr.. Wilson awoke at :
o'clock this morning, while Mr. Boyden was in at
tendance, Mr.. Wood entered and was privately
consulted by Mr.. Boyden as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of
communicating to the Vice President the news of
Senator Ferrys death, and concluded it would be
best to mention it, as Mr. Wilson would be certain
to read it in the newspapers.
The Vice President was prepared for the an
rouncement, and expressed no surprise, but said
Poor Ferry, he has been great sufferer" He
then proceeded 10 speak of Senator Ferry polti-
cal services in high terms, characterizins hia as
an able, active and ust ful nan. lie also talked
about Mr.. Fery's early life, and about his last
election, and added:
THAT makes eighty-three dead with whom I
have sat in the Senate. What a record | don't
| think any man now living can say the same un-
less perhaps it is lIamlin of Maine. If live to
the end Of my present term, shall be the sixth in
| the history at the country who have served Sc
| long a time.
| His death coming but few minutes after ali
| the evidences of a remarkable Improvement and
rapid recovery, could not at first be realized by his
attendants and it was not till the arrival of DR..
NJ. Ford, who resided in the neighborhood, and
was instantly sent for, that the melan holy fac,
| found any credence.
When the supreme Court assembled as usual
| at noon the Chief Justice announced that in con
sequt nee OF the death of the Vice President, nc
| business would be transacted to-day, and there
upon the court adjourned till Tomorrow All the
justices then proceeded to the senate wing of the
capitol to participate in the meeting of senators Il
make arrangements for the funeral.
Among those already assembled in the ladies re
ception room, were Senators Thurman, Sargent
Window, EdmundS Morrill, Of Vermont, Ingalls,
| Paddock, Patterson, Dennis, Jones of Florida
| Mcdonald and Sherman. Also Secretary Fish
| Postmaster General Jewell, Attorney Genera
| Pierrepont, ex-Attorney- General Williams, anc
| various personal friends of the Vice President.
| On motion of Senator Sherman, Chief Justice
| Waite was selected as chairman Of the meeting
| which is now in progress.
| An autopsy is being made by the surgeon gen
| eral of the army and assistants The Vice Presi
dents brain has been removed and weighed 40 l..
| ounces.
The flag of the Senate is at half mast, and Sc
| are all those of the public and may of the priv ate
buildings throughout the city.
| The President has passed an order officially an
nouncing the death of Vice President Wilson, elo
gizing his virtues, and directing that the usua
marks of respect be paid to his memory.
| At the cabinet meeting Secretary Fish was re
quested to attend the meeting of senators now in
the city at noon and on the part of the president
and cabinet, to unite in any arrangements for the
| funeral ceremonies after the programme for thu
funeral shall have been perfected by the meeting
The President will be notified by the secretary O.
State and an executive order will be issued an
nouncing the death of the Vice President, order
ing the department to be closed, and other suita
bic marks of respect to be shown TO the memory
of the deceased.
The embalmed remains have been laid in tn,
| Vice Presidents room, on a catafalque, which Oc
cupies the place where the writing table at which
he did all his work is. The body is atircd in sui
of black cloth. Beside it is a wreath of tea roses
aponicas Gala lilies white pinks and heilotrope
from the wife of the President, and q cross O
white flowers from Gen. Babcock. The room
guarded by detachment of police.
Sergeant at Arms French has received telegram
announcing that Senator Boutwell, and Gen. Gun
ningham are IN route for this city. The date TO
the Vice Pre- sident's funeral is not yet settled /
is the desire of some of his friends to defer it
til congress assemblies. but the question will prof.
ably be determined by his nephew and executor
w L. Coolidge of Natick, who is yet to be hear