The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-11-08
DEATH OF SENATOR MORTON.

Hon. Oliver P. Morton, United States Sena-
protracted and painful illness, at twenty min
utes past o'clock on Thursday, Nov. l.
About noon, says correspondent de-
scribing the death-bed scene, Mrs. Nor
ton and her sons, by her request, were
left alone with the Senator for about an
hour. What passed between them is not for
us to inquire. Before 5 o'clock it be-
came evident he had entered upon his
last hour on earth. He had rested the
greater portion of the day in a half-lying and
half-sitting position. AS he grew weaker, the
supporting pillows were withdrawn so that he
pervaded the room, and remained unbroken
except by an occasional question to the dying
man. Once, when the Senator exclaimed II
am dying, his sister-in-law, Mrs. Holloway, in
quired, "You are not afraid to die Oliver ?"
He indicated "no " by shaking his head. Soon
after similar exclamation, question and an
swer passed between him and DR.. Thompson.
At ten minutes past o'clock he exclaimed 81
am dying. am worn out" and these were
his last words. From this on it was difficult
| to discover that life remained. On the doc
| tors announcement "He is going," the
| gaze of the wife and sons became fixed on the
| face of the husband and father, with now and
then piteous look of inquiry toward the doc
tor, until his further announcement, "It is
over" The widow clasped her sons to her, ex-
claiming quietly, but in tones never to be for
gotten, "My darling boys" The friends with
drew leaving them for time, when they were
all led tenderly from the room.
| BIOGRAPHICAL.
MIR. Morton was born in Wayne county, Ind,
on the 4thssof August, 1928, and was, therefore,
little more than 81 years old. He graduated
from Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, in
845. Studied Law, and was admitted TO the bar
at Centerville, Ind, in 1847. He at once
took prominent position at the bar, and
launched. into large and lucrative practice.
In 1852 he was elected Circuit Judge on the
Democratic ticket. He was an ardent Demo-
crat, but, in 1854, he, with many Others left
that party in consequence of the repeal of the
Missouri compromise, and was one of the three
delegates sent by Indiana to the Pittsburgh
Convention of February, 1856, from which the
Republican party dates it's political existence.
In the same year he was nominated for Gov
ernor by the Republican State Convention
reclamation, but was defeated by Ashbel P.
Willard, the Democratic candidate. In 1860
he was elected Lieutenant Governor by the
Republicans Lane, the Governor elect, was
sent to the United States Senate, and MIR.
Morton assumed the gubernatorial chair,
which he occupied the ensuing four years, and
thus acquired his title of "the Great War
Governor" His career during that stirring
period is familiar to nearly oil newspaper
readers, and requires no reoapitulation here,
even had we the space to elaborate
upon it. In 1864 he was reelected Gov
ernor, and year later was first stricken
with the disease (paralysis) which finally car
ried him off. In 1857 Mr.. Morton was elected
to the United States Senate. In 1857 he was
reelected to the Senate. During his ten years
service in the Senate he has filled large space
i'll the current history of the country. During
all this time, despite his physical infrmity. he
has been an active and frequent speaker, MAX
ing campaigns in various States, besides par
ticipating largely in the debates of the Senate