Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-08-25
Speaker Kerr Dead.
RooKBmDeE ALUM SPRINGS, Va, Aug. y

RooKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, Va. Aug. ~,
Mr.. Speaker Kerr died at 7:20 p. m.
Saturday, peacefully and quietly. AL
day he had suffered intensely, and at
times complained of sufFocation. The
difficulty in breathing lasted nearly up to
the hour Of his death. About a quarter
past seven he seemed to become easier,
and his breathing grew soft and natural,
and the respirations were of the ordinary
length. DR.. Pope was az the time con-
versing with Mrs. Kerr, no other persons
being in the room except a colorcd body
servant of Mr.. Kerr, who has been at his
side night and day since his arrival here.
The doctor, noticing change in Mr.. Kerrs
breathing, asked if he felt easier, to
which Mr.. Kerr responded by nod, at
the same time fixing his bright eyes on
the questioner In another moment the
intelligent glance changed to a dull, cold
stare. The breathing stopped, and Michael
G. Kerr was dead. For thirty-six hours he
had had frequent recurring paroxysms of
pain of the most excruciating character.
DR.. Pope explains this by saying that the
intestines have almost wasted away. In
deed, the abdomen rests fatty upon the
backbone, the entire thickness through
that part of the body not being more
than two inches. The anodynes pre-
scribed scarcely had the effect to mate
rally mitigate the sufferings of Mr.. Kerr,
who often begged that some opiate might
be given him by which he might be en-
abled to die in peace.
Friday night he scarcely closed his
eyes. Shortly after midnight, however,
he dropped into quiet sleep. About
two o'clock he awakened in a great
fright and, staring wildly at his at
tendant, whispered huskily: "What is
the matter with me? o God! / am
suffcringy" The doctor and family were
at once summoned and everything that
medical skill and the sympathy of his
loving and devoted friends could sug-
gest was done. From that time he
seemed to be marked by the hand of
DEATH His shortness of breath con-
tinued without intermission, alternating
with frequent paroxysms of suffocation.
Several of these during the afternoon
were expected to be final and his friends
were constantly by his bedside. Among
these were S. S. Cox, of New York; the
Hon. NJ. Blair, the Rev. Mr.. Harris,
President of the female seminary at
Staunton, this State; Mrs. Kerr and her
son, and Kerrs two secretaries. When
the summons came they were temporarily
out of the room.
The tenacity with which Mr.. Kerr held
on to life continues to be surprise to
every one here. For more than an hour
before his death Mr. Kerrs extremities
were as cold as marble, his pulse in wrist
and arm had entirely ceased to beat, and
it was difficult to detect at that time the
! faintest flutter of the heart. Still, start
ling as it may seem, he was even then
able to raise his hands to his head and
at the request of DR.. Pope clasped the
hand of a gentleman present with tight
grip. "Never in all my experience, ="
said DR.. Pope, "have 1 seen such a
| phenomenon. When mans pulse ceases
to beat he usually dies, but Mr.. Kerr can
lift his arms and legs, and talk at times
in loud voice" Where the mysterious
strength, the wonderful tenacity came
from is problem for the scientists to
! solve.