Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-04-06
DISTRESSING OCCURRENC E
SPEAKING IN THE ENATE-HIs CON-
DITIoN-TRIBUTES OF SYMPATHY.

SENATOR COCHRAN PAKALYSED WHILE
SPEAKING IN THE sENATE-HIS CON-
D1TIoN-TR1BUTEs OF SYMPATHY.
The community was shocked on Mon
day afternoon at a telegram on the VINDI
GATOR bulletin board announcing that {
few moments before, Judge Cochran oul
representative In the Virginia Senate, hat
been stricken by paralysis while making a
speech On the Clifton Forge Road bill. In
a short time the news had spread over the
city, and q large number Of inquirers came
to the Office to find if any later intelligence
had been received. The Richmond Wing
of Tuesday speaking Of the occurrence
says:
Yesterday about O'Clock Senator A. r.
Cochran, from the Staunton district, was
stricken with paralysis while speaking in
the Senate. The Buchanan and Clifton
Forge Railroad bill was under discussion
at the lime. Before it passed Judge Cech-
ran signifed to the chair his intention of
malSing the point. if the bill was adopted.
that it would require constitutional vote.
Vine the vote was announced. which was
less than two-thirds, he arose and argued
that as the bill appropriated property that
belonged to the State it would require a
constitutional vote to grant the privileges
provided fsr in the bill. He had spoken
about fifteen minutes, in his usually able
and forcible manner, when those lmmedi-
ately around him observed quiyering CT
the lips and a nervous tWitching OF the
muscles Of the face.
Judge Cochran continued to speak and
did not seem to be aware of the approach
ing stroke Of paralysis. In a short time
the disease had attacked his whole side,
and it was noticed that it was with much
difficulty that he could articulate. At this
point he ceased to continued his remarks
and gradually sank into his seat. Those
near him did not realize fully his situation
until his head sank upon the desk before
him, when as soon as 1T became Known
that he was i'll, several senators immediate
ly went to this aid, and he was removed
into the rotunda, and the President of the
Senate vacated the chair.
A messenger was quickly sent to ore of
the basement Offices, where a lounge was
procured and the Judge placed upon it.
Drs. Lawson and Mum. of tie Senate,
and Drs' Clarke, Barnes. and Cox, of the
House, were quickly at his side and endeI-
Ell medical aid. The sick enator as I'M
mediately bled, after which he recov' red
sufficiently TO articElate with great diff
Guilty. Dr.. Isaiah White was sent foi and
promptly responded to the call. a S soon
as he was in condition to b ar removing,
the city ambulance, as it WAS mole COM
Portable than any other conveyance that
could be had, was telegrap!'ed for, and as
soon as it arrived Judge Cochran was car
ried to his rooms at the American Hotel.
where he was attended by DIR. Isaiah
" bite and several physicians of the Les
islature. aud a large number Of his friends
who sought in every way TO add to is
comfort and alleviate Ills sufferi.as. II IS
relatives i'll Stanton were communicated
with at once by telegraph. This affection
visited upon Judge Cochran was received
with profound sorrGW by the members II
the General Assembly, among whom lie
WAS general fayorite.
Senator Cochran IS about forty Years OF
age, a man Of acknowledged ability, and
has served in the Senate for three years.
Before being elected to that body he had
served his city enc term in the House CT
D legates. Since he has been in tie Sen
ate lie has occupied the position Of chair
man OF the Finance Committee of that bo-
dy, position that he las filed with mark
ed ability; and in fact during his whole
term in the Senate he has been recognized
as one Of its leading members.
From the Richmond ''State.'']
The community will be shocked to learn
of the critical illness of Judge A. B. Cncll-
ran, who, as senator, jurist and devoted
citizen OF Virginia, has won and long Ell
joyed Ethe entire respect and confidence of
the people Of the Common " ealth. All
will join in the desire of his speedy recoy-
cry.
[From the Richmond 'Whig."]
The sudden, and we fear fatal, attack of
paralysis that yesterday struck down the
distinguished Senator from Augusta,
Judge A. B. Cochran, while addressing
the Senate 1.-THE particulars of which will
be seen in another column), has cast a
gloom over the last hours of the session.
Judge Cochran is well known to the State
as a man of decided intellect-clear, ear
nest. and forcible in debate, and always
impressive when discussing any subject in
which he was in any degree interested.
Few men enjoyed greater personal popular
ity than Judge Cochran, as he is exceed
ingly amiable in disposition, and ever
courteous and kind in his manners.
TRIBUTE OF SYMPATHY BY THE SOUTH.
In the Senate, Tuesday, DR.. Lawson pre-
sented the following resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, in the discharge Of his duties
as member OF the Senate of Virginia,
the Hon. A. B. Cochran, was suddenly
stricken down by an attack of severe i'll aess,
incapacitating him for further services at
this session of the General Assembly;
therefore. be it
Ilesogred, That the Senate Of Virginia
express their profound sympathy for him
in his sudden and severe affection, and
their appreciation Of the commanding tai
ent and accurate legal learning which, in
his legislative career. have always been
employed to promote the welfare OF his
constituents and the prosperity Of the
State. and their regl ct that tile State should
be deprived even temporarily of the bene-
Ht of his enlarged experience.
A letter from Mr.. j. A. Cochran, who
went to Richmond on the news of his
brothers illness, says under date of yester-
day morning that Drs. Coz of Prince Ed
ward and McCaw Of Richmond had held
consultation and thought Senator Cochran
was getting on better than had been ex-
pected. The pain in his head which had
caused him much suffering since the at
tack, was disappearing and sensation had
SLIGHTLY returned to the left leg, but his
left arm was still without feeling.