The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-11-08
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: Death Of Senator. orton. u


Senator Morton died ,at 5:35 p. m
About noon Mrs. Morton; and her sons, BY
her request, wore left alone with the sen.
ator for about one hour What passed Hbe:
tween them is not for us to. inquire.
Before five o'clock it became evident he
had entered upon his last hour on earth
He had rested the greater portion of the day
In a half sitting position. As he grew
weaker the supporting pillows we're with.
drawn avn SO that he lay prone, upon the bed
A deep silence now 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, inquired, you are not
afraid to die, Oliver? He indicated no by
shaking his head. Soon after similar cx.
clamation, question and answer passed be
past o'clock he exclaimed II am
dying, am worn OUT" and these were his
last words. From this on it was difficult
to discover that life remained, On the doetor's
"He is going," the gaze OF
wife and sons became fixed on the face OF the
husband ant father, with now and then O
piteous look OF Inquiry towards the doctor,
The widow clasped her sons to her, exclaim
ing quietly, but in tones never to be forgotten
my darling boys!" The friends withdrew
leaving them after a time, when they were led
tendcrly from the room. This evening, by di-
rcction Of the mayor, the city bells have been
tollcd s. strokes, indicating the dead Senator's
age. The bells will also be tolled each dav ut
noon until after the funeral.
TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.
Tributes ofrespeet to Senator Morton
are very numerous. Both the President
and Vice President sent kilograms Of con-
dolence to the family of the deceased, and
both branches of Congress adopted reso-
lutions on the subject. The Senate and
House each appointed committee OF
seven to attend to the funeral, and the SEN
ate adjourned until after the funeral. The
President issued the following proclama-
ton:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Wsn1NGroN, No.
vember al lament the sad occasion
which makes it my duty to testify the
public respect for the eminent citizen and
statesmen whose death
yesterday, at his home in Indianapolis,
has been made known to the people by
telegraphic announcement. The services
of Oliver p. Morton to the natien in the
difficult and responsible administration of
the affairs of the State of Indiana as its
governor at critical juncture of the civil
war can never be over-valued by his coun-
trymen. His long service in the senate
has shown his great power as legislator
and as the leader and chief councillor
of the political party charged with con-
duct of government during that period
In all things and at all times he has been
able, strenuous and faithful in the public
service, and his fame with his countrymen
rests upon a secure foundation. The sew
eral executive departments will be closed
on the day Of his funeral, and appropriate
honors should be paid to the memory of
the deceased statesman by the whole ma
ton.
r. B. HAYES,
President of the United States.
At indianapolis, the State and local
off ces we've all closed until after the
funeral. The body lay in state ing the
rotunda of the State House on Sunday
with military guard Of honor surround
ing. In various cities of the country
meetings have taken place and resolutions
regretting the attliction and eulogizing
the deceased were passed.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Oliver Perry Morton was the grandson
of an English emigrant to New Jersey.
He was born in Wayne county, Indiana,
whittier his parents had early removed:
Aug. 4, 1923. His father was hard work
ing man of small means, and the boy left
school at the age of Is, and was appren-
ticed to a halter. But so we'll did he
employ his spare time in study that four
years later, in January, 1843, he entered
Miami university, at Oxford, o. Here he
was noticeable as an earnest student, and
the best extemporaneous debater in the
institution.
He remained at the university only two
years, and Immediately became studen:
in the low Office of the Hon. John s
Newman, Of Centrcville, Ind. According
to his instructor, he was a very thorough
reader, and possessed in a remarkable
degree the power of thinking at all times
and at all places. He was admitted tc
the bar in 1847, and at once came in con
tact with many of the most eminent bar.
risters of the state. His progress toward
success was steady and rapid. Five years
later, at the early age of 20, he was elect
ed by the legislature circuit Judge. HI
filled the place creditably, but left it al
the end Of year. The bench was too
quiet place for him. He was of con
troyersial turn of mind; he was fond o.
the fray; he was conscious Of his forensic
abilities, and the studious and i'm
passive occupation of judge was no
congenial to him. He returned to tn,
bar, and was possessed Of lucrative
practice within ten years from the TIM
of his admission. He was on one side O
the other of nearly every important cas-
tried in Wayne and the neighboring coun
ties.
Senator Morton was brought up
democrat, but as such he took no activ
part in politics. The repeal Of the Mis-
souri, compromise in 1854 made republi
can and politician of him. He was on
of three delegates from Indiana to tn
Pittsburg convention Of 1856, the cradl
Of the infant republican party. This con
veDtion paved the way for the Philadel
phia convention which nominated Ere
mont and Dayton. ..'y -.-
The same year the republicans of Indi
ana held 9 state convention. It wa
necessary for it to put forward as candi
dates for governor q man who, thougl
certain to be beaten, would make a sturd
fight, and introduce the new party to th
public in a crcditable way. The onerou
distinction of the gubernatorial nomina
ton was given to Mr.. Morton,t then only 8
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