The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-02
DEATH Or JOHN MORRISSEY
Close Of a Strange and Event
full Career.
PUGllB?, SPORT and POLITICIAN.
From the Prize Ring to the
Halls Of Congress.
A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
His Adventures in the East and on
the Pacific Slope.
DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
The Untutored Boy Dies Senator Of
His Adopted State.
a MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
His Adventures in the East and on
the Pacific Slope.
DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
The Untutored Boy Dies Senator Of
His Adopted State.
SCENES AT THE DEATHBED
lBx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

BX TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
SARATOGA. n. Y, May l, 1878.
Senator John Morrissey died ut half.past seven
O'CLOCK this evening, his whole system giving way
suddenly and unexpectedly. Only an hour before
his relapse he apparently much betlcr and was
sitting up reading tho HERALD
Tho Senator passed very comfortable night, and,
although his strength had failed little, he appeared
TO DO better than al any time since Sunday He was
able to swallow moro readily, his breathing being
better and tho paralysis gradually disappearing He
took nourishment regularly, and tho symptoms wcrc
moro favorable to-day than at any time since Sunday.
The physician In attendance stated that the paralysis
greatly lcssened tho chances OF Mr.. Morrisseys re-
covcry
"will Mr.. Morrissey probably recover" said the
HERALD correspondent to DR.. Grant, THIS afternoon.
II think II very doubtful" was HIS reply.
ls he really better to-day than he was yesterday"
Ycs that lie, no Ia casier-beltcr than no has been
since Sunday"
s'Do you think that no s losing his strength"
HE 10 not 80 strong no before the paralysis;
that has weakened him and is wearing on him. II We
can keep up his vitality SO that the systom grad
ualy absorb tho irritating OF the paralysis his
chances for recovery will be greatly improved"
Dr. Grant seemed hopeful, and yet II was plain that
be regarded hts patient In precarious condition,
he remarked, In conclusion, shat "Whero ordinary
man would BIO considered at the point OF death Sen
Mor Morrissey is still good for long struggle"
Owing TO the improved condition Of Mr.. Morrisssy
several OF his friends. among them Colonel Ford ci.
town yesterday. Colonel Ford is expected up again
this evening.
DEATH SCENE
Tho patient had remained quiet and easy, with
out any unfavorable symptoms until hstIo after
fvo O'Clock. When the Now York newspapers
were brought in, about three o'clock, he mo-
toned for his glasses and proceeded TO read
the HERALD About hall-past Eve unfavorable
change occurred aud he sank rapidly ai.etward.
Father McMcnomy, the Catholic priest, sent
for, and no administered cxtromo junction. Although
he was failing perccptbly all tho time no appeared
conscious until the last. HIS wfe and several Gun.
ploycs present when he died. He died clasping
the hand OF tho priest.
MoRRssEY's LONG ILLNESS
The excitement and iatigucs attending the election
OF 1877 exhausted the frame OF Mr. Morrissey
that no succumbed 10 cold caught during the
progress Of that memorable struggle against Angus
tus Schell, tho Tammany candidate In the seventh
Senatorial district Despite the Of his physicians
their patients lungs became seriously affected and he
was ordered TO the coast or Florida TO pass The
winter Soon after arriving at Jacksonville Mr.. Mof-
rssey experienced considerable relief, put this favora
Bile change was OF brief duration and no was again
seized with pulmonary attack which brought him
low that bis death hourly looked for. BY
careful nursing, however the danger tempo
rary aver,cd and he improved SO rapidly that
In tho latter END OF March Mr. Morrisscy
vas able to return home, and expressed the
belief that no would recover strength SON.
client 10 enable him to take his seat In the
State Senate. This hope was, however, a vain one,
for after reaching Saratoga he for the sixth
time suffered . relapse, followed by q stroke Of
paralysis, which finally ended in death. Never aid
man make moro desperate effort TO resist the raw
ages OF disease than did John Morrisscy during tho
nx moLtns no q sufferer.
THE NEWS IN THIS CITY.
Although senator Norrissey's death was re-
gardcd by his friends In this city
event that might happen at any moment they
somewhat surprised when Mr.. Ford's de-
spatchcs containing the sad Intelligence reached
Them last evening That gentleman, who with
Senator Morrssey almost to tho time OF his DEATH
FASTENED its occurrence 10 apprisc all his trends
In this city by telegraph. gloom oversprssd tho
public centres moa freQuentcd during life by tho de-
ceased for his trends and acquninances
stricken and silent the death OF ono they had
lssrncd to love for his rugged honesty and faithful do
voton to his follow efs and adhorenta
MorRrssEY's REMARKABLE CAREER.
The death Of John Morrissey marks tho close Of
aunquc career America Is cmphatically tho country
another during tho past quarter OF a century havo
kept themselves before the public eye not
DO pointed to Who IRON such beginnings hs strug
gied up through many vcissitudes OF fortune TO u
position OF honor, and, wo may say, respect. Born OF
the poorest, bred among tho toughest and roughcr
than any OF them, with a herculcan franc TO which
muscular strain was play, and an animal courage
which made lighting pastimc, to DRIFT into the thon
popular puglism vas natural transition. To find
him seeking fortune and adventure In California dur.
Ing the gold fever days. to him at tho hoad Of
expedition little short OF pratcai, to ind him the
hero Of head hammerings IN tho prize ring and out
OF IL and to know that he turned from pugilism 10
gambling and selling liquor not unnatural
sequences. Hut there tho well hold line OF
continuity breaks OF. He becomes Wall street
lnancier, a member OF Congress twice elected,
caccr In politics and twice State Ssnator--aiwsys a
power, always lighting and seldom losing point. AZ
Ia his old lio he had never lost battle. In truth,
tho rugged strength and vital force Of his body wero
only equallcd by the strength and force OF his mind
IT his mind had been as cultured ms his fat what a
man ne might have been For there natural
grasp OF affairs In him, n kconness Of perception. n
dircctness and immutabiiity of purpose, thorough
ndc pcndence and. what ever stood him In good stead
IN un1inching fidelity to any obligation he assumed
He was u man OF action and a OF his word. Add
TO this a iargcheartcd generosity, and the may
DO fairIy judged Some such guide TO the man must
DO vouchsaed those who the election OF last
year us77 not only the poor ana hardworking units
Of party desert their banners TO vote Tor him.
but the Of wealth. culture and substance flock to
the polls favor and against gentleman Of their
own class To tho latter class OF hts fellow citizens
he was than convenient foil 10 tho opposition.
Il was not merely that
They ali had trust In his cussedness
And know'd that be a keep hts word,
IN party sense, but that thoy were assured before.