The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-11-07


.-A.s.~
Senator Oliver p. Morton, Of lndi-
ana died at his residence in lndianap-
oils, Ind, last Thursday afternoon at
$50 Pm. During the afternoon the
Senator had been gradually sinking;
and Mrs. Morton and sons, by her re-
quest, we're left alone with him for an
hour. Before ), it was evident he had
entered upon his last hour. lie had
rested the greater portion of the daY
in half lying, half sitting position.
As he grew weaker, supporters and
pillows we're withdrawn The lay prone.
Deeper silence now peryaded the room
and remained unbroken except by an
occasional question to the dying man,
Once when the Senator exclaimed, 81
am dying" Mrs. Holloway inquired
sHYou are not afraid to die, Oliver|
he indicated "No," b. swaying his
head Soon after similar eXclama-
ton, question and answer passed be-
tween him and DIR. Thompson. AT
10 minutes past o'clock he eXclaim-
ed, 81 am dying-I am worn OUT
and these were his last words. From
this on it was difficult to discover that
life remained. On the doctors an
nouncing, she's going" the gaze Of
his wife and sons became fixed on the
face of the husband and father with
now and then a piteous look Of inquiry
towards the doctor until his further
announcement sit is over, The wild
ow then clasped her sons to her, eX-
claiming quietly but in tones never to
be forgotted, my darling boys" The
friends then withdrew, leaving them
for time, when they, were tenderly
led from the room, In the evening,
by direction of the mayor of the city,
the bells tolled fifty-four strokes, in
dicating the dead senator's age.
Oliver Perry Morton was born in
Wayne county, Ind, Aug. A, 1928.
His grandfather was one of three bro
theirs who came from England CEN
fury ago. Their name was Throck-
morton, and their ancestry is traced to
the earl of Throckmorton in the reign
of Elizabeth. On leaving New Jer-
sey for the West, the Senator's father
dropped the first syllable Of his sur
name, and the son adhered to the
change. When the latter was three
years old he lost his mother, and
was placed under the care ofhis grand
parents in Ohio. After attending a
district school, he was put to the hat
tiers trade with his brother. But he
soan showed a passion for reading and
study, and finally prepared himself for
college, and entered Miami University
in 1913. Leaving college at the age
of p, he entered upon the study of
law, after His admission to the Bar,
began practice in his native county.
Hehad strong and learned competitors,
but, soon proved himself as strong as
any of them. His career at the Bar
was very successful.
In 1852, Mr.. Morton was elected
circuit Judge. He was q democrat,
mill the ronaal of tho NIiocnu"; oor,-
promise in 1854, when he abandoned
his old political associates at once,
and ever after was inhexible in his de-
votion to the interests of freedom.
In 1856 he was nominated for COVER
nor, but was not elected. In 1860,
he was nominated for lieutenant gov
ernor; and on the election of Cover
nor Lane to the United States Senate,
soon after, Mr.. Morton became COVER
nor, He soon became known as the
great war governor the difficulties
Of his position during the rebellion
were immense, but he was always
equal to the emergency.
In January, 1867, Gov. Morton was
elected U. S. Senator, and continued
to hold his seat till the time of his
death. Although his constitution had
been shattered by his severe labors
during the war, yet the difficulty was
wholly physical in character, and his
mind continued active and strong
throughout his senatorial career. He
at once took high rank as a debater
and his influence was very potent in
carrying through the reconstruction
measures and the Constitutional amend
mentS.
Although Senator Norton did not
possess the gifts which are generally
associated with popularity, yet he be.
came q great favorite with those who
knew him best and with the extremists
of his party. lie was very radical il
his views, and a strong partisan; YET
he had the sagacity to perceive that g
change of policy was necessary in ref
erence to Southern affairs. Accord
ingly, he gave in his adhesion to the
Southern policy of President Hayes
which he pronounced to be inevitable
and short time before his death he
reiterated his endorsement of the
Presidents policy in a strong article
published in the Indianapolis Journal
His death may be regarded as u seri
Gus loss to the administration, O.
which he would have been a powerful
supporter, as well as to the country
which he has served with such distin
guiShpd ability and notr;o+;e,,