Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-09-19
SENATOR MORTON.
Presidents Hayes Visit TO Him
Yesterday.
Affecting Scenes in the Sick
Chamber.
MIR. Morton Confident that Ho Will
Recover, but Others Have cfave
Fears.
Special TO the Inter Ocean.

Special 10 the Inter ocean.
RICHMOND, Ind, Sept l3.-The VS.
it of President Hayes to Senator
Morton, to-day, is a source of much
qualification to the friends of the Sen
ator, and is matter of especial note
in the fact that the President and his
party are the first who have been
permitted to visit the afflicted Sena-
tor since his arrival here. There is
no denying the fact that the Senator's
real condition has been carefully con-
ccaled, so far as possible, and that he
has been really much worse during
the recent period in which he is re-
ported recovering than the general
public have been allowed to believe.
The fact, however, that SO large a
number of callers were allowed to-
day, even though they were of a class
not offering themselves daily, indi-
Gates something of an improved con-
dition on the part Of the Senator.
The events of to-day have been out
lined to you by the Associated Press
of to-day, and need not dwell upon
them in detailed order. The inter-
view between the President and the
suffering, helpless Senator, was very
affecting. AT the moment OF the
Presidents arrival, Mrs. Morton,
Governor Burbank, the Senator's
brother-in-law, at whose house he
lies, and DIR. Thompson were in the
sick chamber, conversing with Sena-
tor Morton and reading to him. The
President and party, on arriving,
were nshered into the parlor, whence,
after few moments conversation,
the President alone was conducted to
the sick chamber of the great states
man. On his entering the room, Mrs.
Morton and Governor Burbank re-
tired, leaving The two to converse in
the presence of DIR. Thompson, the
physician, only. The President be-
came immoderately and very visibly
affected, and, advancing to the bed
side, took the Senator's hand in his,
and, addressing him in affectionate
terms, stopped over him and kissed
him on the forehead, the tears at the
same time falling from his eyes upon
the Senator's pillow. Senator Nor
ton responded, addressing the Presi-
dent by name, and expressing his
great qualification at meeting him.
President Hayes then spoke in SINH
lar terms, saying that not only had
he been very anxious for the Sena-
tors welfare during his illness, but
he had found the feeling general
throughout the country. Senator
Morton replied that he had indeed
been very near deaths door,
but that he now for the first
time since his illness believed
that he was on the way 10
recovery. 81 now expect, Mr..
President" he said, "to take my seat
in Congress December next and to
warmly and earnestly support you in
your administration" This cordial
announcement of the Senator's conf
dence and support of the President,
accompanied by warm pressure OF
the hand, the only remaining member
of which the Senator now has the
use, greatly affected the President
and he resumed his seat in silence
struggling for the mastery of his feel.
ings. The Senator continued speak.
ing for few moments in hopefu'
strain, referring to the condition OF
the country at large, and expressing q
deep interest in the events Of the day
The President replied that he, in his
travels and observations, had found
the indications of a hopeful nature
both for renewal of business and q
more complete determination of the
two great sections and classes in the
country. To this Senator Morton
listened with great eagerness and evil
dent satisfaction, replying that such
was the result of his reading and OBJ.
servations. The President then re.
ferred to Senator Morton's condition
congratulating him upon the fact thai
his severe illness had little effect upon
his usual appearance of health, des
pite the fact that he had during TIT
past weeks taken no solid food. The
, Senator spoke cheerfully of his situa.
ton and prospects, and said: 81 fee
E to-day for the first time since my sick
ness as though / was going to &c
J well. l believe | shall go to Congress,
in December, and, when there, shall
take pleasure and pride in supporting
you in your good work for the GOOD
of the country" The conversation
I then again turned upon the condition
of the country, when Dir. Thompson
intcrfered, saying that further con
versation might be injurious to hi.
patient. President Hayes was mucl
affected on parting with the Senator
The great choking sobs welled up i,
his throat and the tears again came tt
his eyes. He grasped the Senator
! hand, pressed ii tightly between hi
own, and, after vainly trying to re
, press his emotions sufficiently to al
| low him to express his feelings
stopped, and again kissed him on tn,
forehead, and, with choking utter
ancc, badc him adieu, leaving tin
room sobbing aulibly.
81 Senator Morton was cOnsiderabl,
, affected but bore the ordeal with re