The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-17
SUDDEN DEATH OFREVERDY JOHN
SON.

Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of Baltimore
ex-senator from Maryland, ex-nlinister
to England, and one of the ablest con-
stitutionei lawyers in the Union, died
suddenly last evening, st Annapolis,
while the guest of Governor Carroll.
He WAS found dead in the yard of the
Executive Mansion, aud was supposed
to have fallen suddenly and struck his
temple on the stone pavement. He was
nearly eighty years of age, and he may
have been killed by the jar in falling
even by stumbling, or he may have
dropped down under an attack of apo
plexy. At present writing the physi-
cans are unable to determine the cause
of his death.
His sudden decease naturally creates
o great excitement in Maryland, for he
was, as it were one Of the pillars OF that
State. Personally he was much respec-
ted. and as a lawyer he ranked among
the foremost in land He was the com
peer of Clay and Webster, and-person-
ally the intimate friend of both parties.
His legal practice has been very extern
sive, and though he occasionally appear
ed in the role of statesman, he will be
generally known throughout the country
as an eminent lawyer.
ANNAPOLIS, Feb, 1.-THE main facts
connected with the sad death of Reverdy
johnson, in the grounds attached to the
executive mansion, as made known
last night, are not changed by develop
ments this morning. His death was SO
sudden and unexpected, after his appear
ance in the State Library, and about the
State House yesterday, while the Legis-
ture was in session, in apparently full
health, that the community has not re-
covered from the shock.
DR.. Lewis FL. Steiner, State Senator
from Frederick County, a distinguished
physician and chief inspector of the Mi
itary Commission in the Army of the
Potomac during the war, who examined
the body shortly after it was found gives
the following as his theory of the cause
of the death of Mr.. johnson He either
stumbled over piece of coal, or being
seized with vertigo or incipient symp-
toms of apoplexy, and striving to save
himself, moved towards the west, stag
gering along by the northerly side of the
executive mansion, at each step gaining
additional momentum, so that, having
reached the door leading into the base
ment, he swayed around to the south
and fell, his head striking against sharp
which gave the first wound on the head.
Reaching the pavement OF rough cobble-
stones q second wound was received in
front of the first. At this instant proba-
bly, the bones OF the nose were fractured
and one Joint OF the second finger Of the
right hand was dislocated Whether
subsequent struggles may account for
abrasions on the knees and fingers of the
left hand cannot be positively asserted.
The wounds In the scalp were accom-
pOnied with fractures OF the external
bones of the Uranium and base Of skull
also with the probable rupture of some
of the arteries at the base. Death must
have resulted instantly.
Mr.. Gwynne, attorney general of the
State, and son-in-law of Mr.. Johnson.
is OF the opinion that he was seized with
vertigo and fell, as he had similar at
tack lasting three hours, while attending
trial in South Carolina several years
ago.
HONORS TO THE DECEASED.
When the General Assembly met to-
day it was Immediately informed by a
communication from Gov. Carol of the
death Of Mr.. Johnson. Both Houses at
once adjourned, and will assemble in the
hall of the House st 3 o'clock, then GO
to the executive mansion to escort the
remains to the depot, where they will be
taken to Baltimore in a special car
Gov. Carroll said in his communica-
ton that Mr. johnson died from an u1l-
accountable and unwitnessed accident
The remains of Reverdy johnson were
escorted from executive ma,ision at An
napoEs this afternoon by Gov. Carroll,
both Houses of the Legislature, Mem
bers of Court of Appeals of Maryland,
Admiral Rodgers and Commodore Terry
Of the naval school, the president, faculty
and students of st. Johns College,
members of the bar and citizens of An
napolis, all on foot, to the depot, where
they were placed in a special car, and
brought to this city, accompanied by
relatives and friends
The funeral takes place on Sunday
afternoon from his late residence, 1l8
Park avenue, and the interment at Green
Mount Cemetery.
The City Council convened in extra
session this evening, Mayor Latrobe,
presiding Eulogies were delivered and
resolutions adopted expressing the deep
sense of loss which pervades the com
munity at the sad sudden death of Mr..
johnson. That in the death of Mr.
Johnson the city of Baltimore has lost a
most distinguished citizen, and as a
mark respect, the Mayor and City Coun-
Gil will attend the funeral in body.