The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-21
HIS USEFUL LIFE ENDED.
rHE PEACBFULLY QUIET DEATH OF
sPEIKER MICHAEL C. kERR.
. cd Scene in n Little Hill-Surrounded |
Hamlet Of West virsinia-A Fathers Dy- |
i,g CoupscIs to Ills son -Tenncits to Life |
,,at A.onished the Patients Physicians. |

AstOntShcu
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O.-The account of
,hs Inst hours OF Speaker Kerr are graphically
descriped by his clerk, who had known him In
,,m,tely at his home IN New Albany and who
w. with him every hour while he performed
,he duties Of Speaker Writing from Rock
bridge Alum Springs he says:
The Speaker died at 7.2O Z. NJ. TODAY, peace
fully and quietly All day he had suffered in
tepsely from pains In the bladder and urethra,
and at times complained OF surocation. The
diniculty 10 breathing lasted nearly up to the
hour OF his death. About quarter past he
seemed to become easier. and his breathing
grew soft aud natural. and the respirations we're
OF the ordinary length. DIR. Pope at the
time conversing with Mrs. Kerr, no other per-
sons being in the room except Andy, a colored
servant OF MIR. Kerrs, who had been at his side
might and day since his arrival here. The ply
sician noticing the change I'm Mr.. Kerr's breath
tnr. asked him whether he felt easier to which
Mr. Kerr responded by nod, at the same time
axing his bright eyes on the question.r In an
other moment the intelligent glance changed to
dull, cold stare, the breathing stopped, and
Michael c. Kerr was dead.
For thirty-six hours this event had been mo-
mentarily expected. For that length OF time he
had frequently recurring paroxysms Of pain Of
the most excruciatng kind Lattery this pain
DtCault gTeht tnht COulu pc DohTu III
toe adjoining rooms. This diffculty DR.. Pope
explains by saying that the intestines have been
almost entirely wasted away. Indeed, the ab-
domen rests hston 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 sunernes OF
MIR. Kerr, who often begged that some opiate
might be given him by which no might be
enabled to die in peace. On Wednesday night
he rested well, or at least suffered little pain,
but last night he scarcely closed his eyes.
Shortly after midnight, however, he dropped
into quiet sleep. About 2 O'Clock he awakened
10 great fright, and staring wildly at his at
tendant, whispered buskily, what Is the mi at
ter with met oh, God am sunooating"
The physician and family were at once sum-
moned, and everything medical SKIN and the
Umpathy Of his loving aud devoted ffiends
coud suggest was done. From that time he
ssemed to be marked by the hand OF death.
His shortness OF breath continued without in
termission. alternating with frequent paroxysms
u sunocation. Several of these during the
.fterooon were expected to be nnal, and his
friends were constantly by bis bedside. Among
hese were the Hon: ;. 5: Cox OF New York, the
lhe Female Seminary at staunton. this State,
Mrs. Kerr and her son, and MIR. kerr's two sec
retaries; When the summons came thev were
Toe tenacity with which Mr.. Kerr held on to
sfe continues to be SURPRISE to every one here.
For more than an hour before his death his ex-
ueuites were as cold as marble. His pulse In
Erist and arm had entirely ceased to beats.snd
autter OF the heart. Still, startling as IL may
seem he was even then able to raise hls hands
TO his head, and At tho request II DIR. Pope
ciasped the hand Of your correspondent with .
ught grip.
-hsvs l seen such q phenomenon. when q
mans pulse ceases to beat he usually dies bet
Mr. Kerr ssa f S: ana leg. and sss a:
strength. the wonderful ter, city came from. 10
aproblsm for the savsnts to solve.
Hundreds OF sympathe tic m ssages are hourly
received by the stricken family from all parts OF
the country containing tenders OF aid and condo
ience. One of the saddsst features OF this mel.
sncholy death Is the isolation OF the place from
the rest OF the world and the difficulty Of com
~ send to staunton, forty miles distant, for a
cofia, and to W washingtun for a funeral escort.
The route to New Albany, Ind. Mr.. Kerr's home,
Is long aud circutous one, over bad roads,
with wretched accommodations; Mrs. Kerr
and and ssn. son ave worn out with watching
10 them to relieve them OF all care and
unnecessary trouble. The body will be placed
Ills to start hou,e Via Huntington. West Va.
Mr.: Kerr Journeyed 10 the Alum Springs in
benefit from the use OF the waters. lie was
nuch broken down IN body and spirit. The
HarheN Investigation was over, and the House
had unanimously adopted resolution exoner-
tting their Speaker from all wrongdoiug. Inc
oo4n ~ called II magnificent vndicaton and
50 II was; but II came too late To save tue life Of
the nOele man at whose heart the poisonous
.hEt Of ca,umny had been aimed. lie tried
harl to rally, hut In vain. The iron had pene-
trtted his soul. and death had set bis seal upon
anoole Urow.
lhe Alum Springs are situated in charming
lii'le pJrk enclosed on all sides by high noun.
taius locally Known the North Mountains
but re lly a portion OF the Blue Ridge. Tne
nearest railroad station is Millnord. nv. mjies'
bur tourists from tue north and east slight al
GGoshel nd lake Y stage ride OF eight miles.
Ihere Is absolutely nothing here but ~ ouLtIns
an alum water. one can t'ayel miles Without
meeting a human habitation unless It is the
b., ween his gun and his corn patch ekss
oui hvng. Stiil the scenery is grand,
tuins are covered with luxuriant forests.
Ard the most profound quiet reigns over an
t"ity years agO au adventurous sDeculat r laid
OF these grounds Ihe spriugs had been known
u the huuters aud Indians doubtless from tine
tmmemotlal. For many wears 1t was one OF
tie chiei summer resorts Of the Southern
people Of wealth and fashion. 1he waters Durst
iIoin the base Of elm Of shales several nun,
rI Ieet In height. These springs are nye IN
HuA.t er. The strength Of tue wa ers varies from
ma No. l 10 very strong No. 5, A chemic i
81. ute, alumilum, msgne>ia, free sulpnurIc
hcd -lhcic Icid, ana numDer OF oiher lngre-
g. Is ! he taste Is highly acid with a strong
btvot Of alum hy no ms ans unple ,sAnt Visitors
usually like II at tue start, nd IN their z-al
60 nIgny t1.aiy ~ Its healing virtues. drink
Inder the difec lon Of the Iesident puys,ci.n.
~, DAVIS he began In hgnt uoses, but r.tidly
increased the quantity. For u time lie seemed
y gam strehsth ana spirts, and was aole 10
take caily dives with Mrs. KeIr. lie was nlso
q ma
hotel, ana could sven walk down stars wltn,ut
assistance. suddenly the water produced "A re
turn OF tue violent ddrrhRI which Mr Kerr
h1d suffered IN Washington, And from This re-.
lapse lie did.not recover.
For a long time Mr.. Kerr had been satisfied
that his end was near. 10 friends who s0ugnt
60 cheer him Oy protesting u see in his lOoks
change Tor tho better, he smpl, TeDlied. Nj
j am not better ain worse. | am not getting
we'll" So important was truth nsid to be nv
him that be never allowed blmself To Ind ,.lge In
the little exaggerated batteries and ad .fatlons
10 common to most people. He lad
been called austere man. Nothng can
he further from the truth. His anec-
lions were always strong and permanent
His sylnpathies were ready and powerful
On his law practice he made II n rule to remit
cite charges for services rendered needy persons,
and many widow to- day blesses mis- name Tor
bis kindness, anu thousands Of dollars IN fees
remain on Dls Doug-. one UI his last lnJunc-
~ TO his SOU Was that those books must be
sTt,ea -, the wOrld. This sympathy Tor the
u s'ible sursrn."r OF other. was sthkingy
SHOWN while ne was Spern-' oi the House last
winter lie could never Dnd ~ :" n's neal'
q turn away applicants for appolu,~e",s,
but HyauaLly exertrd himself, 81 far g ~ |
GOULD Ia honor to iurlhcr their causes. men
the Le. e.islAtlon bill came from the Committee |
on Appropriations no one more ueeply syMph-
thizsd with the unfortunate CLERKS tnan M
kefr. The reductions Of the salaiirs Of MS own
clerk and secret.ry were u s,uice Of poignant
Rtlel - MIN. u , T., -