The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-31
THE LATE SPEAKER KERR.


sicians-Mr. Kerr's Religious Creed.
The account of the last hours of
Speaker Kerr are graphically described
by his clerk, who had known him init
mately at his home in New Albany, and
who was with him every hour while he
performed the duties of Speaker. Writ
ing from Rockbridge Alum Springs. he
says:
s'The Speaker died at z 80 p. m. to-
day, peacefully and quietly. All day he
had suffered intensely from pains In the
bladder and urethra, and at times COM
planned of suffocation. The difficulty in
breathing lasted nearly up to the hour
of his death. About a quarter past z he
seemed to become easier, and his breath
ing grew soft and natural, and the res
pirations were of the ordinary length.
DR.. Pope was at the time conversing
with Mrs. Kerr, no other persons being
In the room except Andy, a colored SER
want of Mr.. Kerr's, who had been at his
side night and day since his arrival here.
The physician, noticing the change III
Mr.. Kerr's breathing, asked him whether
he felt easier. to which Mr.. Kerr
responded with nod, at the same time
fixing his bright eyes on the questioner.
In another moment the intelligent glance
changed to dull, cold stare, the breath
ing stopped, and Michael G. Kerr was
dead.
For thirty six hours this event had
been momentarily expected. For that
length of time he had frequently recur-
ring paroxysms of pain of the most ex-
cruciating kind. Latterly this pain be-
came SO great that means could be
heard in the adjoining rooms. This diff
fculty DR.. Pope explains by saying that
the intestines have been almost entirely
wasted away. Indeed, the abdomen
rests flat on the backbone, the entire
thickness through that part of the body
not being more than two inches. The
anodynes prescribed by DIR. Pope had
scarcely the effect to materially mitigate
the sufferings of Mr.. Kerr, who often
begged that some opiate might be given
him by which he might be enabled to die
in peace. On Wednesday night he
rested we'll, or at least suffered little
pain, but last night he scarcely closed
his eyes. Shortly after midnight, how
ever, he dropped into quiet sleep.
About o'clock he awakened in a great
fright, and staring wildly at his attend
ant, whispered huskily, "What is the
matter with me? Oh, God [ am suf-
locating" The physician and family
were summoned, and everything med
ical skill and the sympathy of his loving
and devoted friends could suggest was
done. From that time he seemed to be
marked by the hand of death. His
shortness of breath continued with
out intermission, alternating with fire.
quent paroxysms of suffocation. Several
of these during the afternoon were ex-
pected to be final, and his friends were
constantly by his bedside. Among
these were the Hon. S. S. Cox. of New
York, the Hon. Mr.. Blair, the Rev. Mr..
Harris, President of the Female Sem
mary at Staunton, this State, Mrs. Kerr
and her son, and Mr.. Kerr's two secre-
tari0S. When tho Summons came they
were 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 his extremities
were as cold as marble. His pulse in
wrist and arm had entirely ceased to
beat, and it was difficult to detectat that
time the faintest futter of the heart.
Still, startling as it may seem, he was
even then able to raise his hands to his
head, and at the request of DIR. Pope
clasped the hand of your correspondent
with tight grip.
"Never, in all my experience" said
DR.. Pope, g have I seen such phenom-
enon. 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 savants to
solve.
For long time Mr.. Kerr has been
satisfied that his end was near. To
friends who sought to cheer him by
processing to see in his looks change for
the better, he simply replied, emo, am
not better I am worse. / am not get
ting WELL" So important was truth held
to be by him that he never allowed him
self to indulge in the little exaggerated
batteries and adulations so common to
most people. -5
A few days before his death, Mr.. Kerr
had conversation with his son, in the
course of which he said Sc / have moth
ing to leave you, my son, exceptmy good
name. Guard it and your mothers
honor, and live as l have lived" He
leaves very little of this worlds goods
not enough to supply his family with
living. In the same conversation he
further said Pay all my debts if my
estate will warrant it without leaving
your mother penniless otherwise, pay
what you can, and then go to my credit
ors and tell them the truth, and pledge
your honor to wipe out the indebted
ness"
In religious matters Mr.. Kerr was
liberal thinker. He might be said to
have been Nationalist, accepting moth
ing which did not bear the impress Of
probability. Without admitting the