The Lake County star., 1875-12-02
Death of Vice.President Wilson.

nouncing the death of Vice-President Will
son. After his recent serious attack of apo
plexy on coming from a warm bath, the
Washington papers announced that he was
in a promising way of recovery; but he
suddenly and Unexpectedly expired on
the morning of November 22, at half-past
seven o'clock.
He had rested well nearly all night, ex-
cept short time abeut three a. M, and, on
awakening at seven o'clock, remarked that
he felt unusually well. At twenty minutes
past seven he said he would get up and take
some breakfast. He was about to do SO, and
had just taken his customary draught
of bitter water, prescribed by his physicians,
when he suddenly lay down, seeming
to be exhausted. He breathed heavily
a few minutes, and expired without
struggle.
The scene in the death chamber was very
pathetic. The body lay, upon plain oak
bedstead, which was placed immediately
under the Rambrandt portrait of Washing
ton, which had the inscription "Pater
patriP." The room bore witness to the long
| illness which had preceded the death, and
| to the confusion which followed it. The body
laid upon the back, and scarcely presented
| as rigid outlines as are usual in death. The
face, propped up preparatory to the post
mortem and the embalment, was remarka-
trace of pain about it; there was none of
| the usual darkness. The face looked as
gentle, strong, pure and noble, as in the
happiest moment of life. There was no
signs of woman's hand or woman's atten-
ton, save one-an elderly lady, from New
England, pressed her way through
the throng of Senators and Senate at
tendants to the bedside, where she caressed
the cold features with passionate affection,
and bathed the placid cheeks with her tears.
The writing.table gave evidence of the rest
less activity which friends and physicians
could not restrain, and which no
doubt hastened his decline. There were
the Washington papers, several South
ern papers, some of which contained pleas
ant notices of Mr.. Wilson, and letter paper
and postal cards which had been in use only
the evening before. The pen seemed to
have only Just dropped from the busy hand.
1t was the medical opinion that the body
could be preserved until the meeting of
Congress. The remains are in a very differ
ent state than that in which Mr.. Summers
were when embalmed. A post mortem,
held in the afternoon, has completely
drained the body OF blood, so that the en-
balming will be more certain to take ef-
feet. Dr. Baxter is surprised that death did
not take place at the time of the attack a
few days previous. The arteries at the base
of the brain were not in a condition to re-
sist the slightest pressure. 1t is now certain
that the weakness between the shoulders
alone prevented fatal termination of that
| attack that weakness furnished u center of
concentration which then saved the brain.
The embalmed remains of Mr.. Wilson were
laid in state in the Vice-Presidents room, on
q catafalque which occupies the place where
his writing table stood at which he did all
his work. The body, attred in dress suit
of black broadcloth, faced II Rembrandt
Peale's portrait of Washington, and beside
it were placed q wreath Of tea-r0ses, japon-
icas, Gala lilies, white pinks, and hello
tropes from the wife of the President, and a
cross of white flowers from Gen. Babc0ck
The room was guarded by a detail of Capitol
Police, among them a cOlOred man who also
stood by the bier of Senator Sumner.
The following order, announcing the death
of Vice-president Wilson, was issued by the
President:
| ExEcur,yE MANSION.
| WASHINGTON, ID. e., Noy: 22 1875.
TO announce to the people Of the United States the
death Of Vice-President Henry Wilson, who died In
the Captaltof the nation this morning. The eminent
station Of the deceased, his high character his long
career in the service of his State and of the Unop
his devotion TO the cause Of freedom, and the ability
which he brought to the discharge Of every duty,
| stand conspicuous, and are indeibly impressed in
the hearts and affections of the American people.
In testimony OF respect for this distinguished cti-
Sen and faithful public servant the various depart
Of the funeral, and the Executive Mansion and all
| the Executive departments in Washington will be
draped with badges Of mourning for thirty days.
The Secretaries Of War and OF the Navy will issue
an order that appropriate military and naval honors
| he rendered to the memory Of one whose virtues
and services will long be borne In recollection by
| grateful nation.
lsgnedl U.S. GRANT.
| by the President:
| HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF State.
In compliance with the order Of the Pres
ident directing that appropriate military
and naval hOnors be rendered to the mem
ory of VicePresident Wilson, the following
order was issued by the Secretary of War:
"On the day succeeding the receipt Of
this order at each military post, troops will
be paraded at ten o'clock a. m. and the order
read to them. The national flag will be dis
played at half staff. At dawn Of day thir-
teen guns will be fired. Commencing at
twelve m. seventeen minute guns will be
| fired, and at the close of the day national
salute of thirty-seven guns. The usual
badge of mourning will be worn by officers
OF the army, and the colors of the several
regiments will be put in mourning for the
| period of three months"
An appropriate order was also issued by
the Secretary of the Navy.
In every prominent city in the United
States the news of the Vice-Presidents death
caused general expression of sorrow. All
classes and shades OF politics united.