New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-21
EX-GOVERNOR DIX DYING.
THE VETERANS LAST HOURS.

ApANGERoUS ILLNESS INCREASED ny THE BREAKING
OF THE COLLAR BoNE-HERoIC ENDURANCE OF
sUFFERING-HIs MIND CLEAR UNTIL SATURDAY
LAST.
Ex-Governor John 4. Dix. one of Ncw-Yorks most
honorcd citizens lies Mt the point of death at his
residence No. 3 West 1wcnty-first-st. BY hrs bed
side are ms devoted wife, daughter, Mrs G. +.
Blake and her husband, his son. the Rev. DIR. Nor
gan Dix, rector of Trinity Church, and his phys-
clans For several months General Dix has suffered
severely from a painful disease, which MS adj
vanced age has rendered it difficult to relieve by
medical treatment, and by which hiS blood has
gradually become poisoned. Much OF the time ne
has been confined to his room and bed. but his
strong constitution enabled him to combat disease
manfulv, and ne attended to his duties rs vestfy-
man of Trinity Church and to his private affairs
whenever able to do So declaring his belief that he
would recover About five weeks ago his malady
assumed a more serious aspect and his physician.
Dr. KEYS who has been devoted IN his attentions
after consultation with Drs Metcaf, Polk and Van
Buren, assured him that his recovery was exceed
ingly doubtful. General Dix did not give up
hope of recovery, however, and spoke checrfully
md hoprfully of the future. Only a few days ago,
in conversation with John j. Cisco hls banker ana
friend for forty years, and Assistant United states
Treasurer when General DIX was Secretary OF the
Treasury, inc spoke Of spending the Summer at his
country seat at West Hampton, L. ]. On few
pleasant days he was driven slowly TO the Park and
often, when confined in doors, walked about his
room.
Nearly TWO months ago General Dix became
troubled with slccplcssness at night, and suffered
much from consequent nervous depression. On the
night Of April 10 no enjoyed several hours, sound
sleep and on the morning of the 18th awoke much
refreshed He arose without assistance, walked to
the window and threw open the blinds. Observing
that the day promised to be unusually
fine, he determined to take drive III
tho Park, but went back TO bed to
rest short time before dressing. little later he
rang for servant and then attempting to rise sud
denly fell back upon his right arm, which was
twisted under him in such position that his collar
bone was fractured. Dr. Keys, assisted by Drs.
Metcalf and Polk set the bono in plaster of Paris.
The accident did not occasion much suffering, and
the physclansdo not believe that it greatly fastened
death. To younger man, or TO one not already
greatly reduced by disease, II would have been of
triHlng importance. IL resulted III Increased de-
preston OF spirits as an evidence OF MS great
weakness, and he soon resigned all hope or re-
His mind remained clear and his faculties unim-
paired for a week following this injury, and he re-
ceiyed his intimate friends and conversed with
them freely. lie gave directions to Mt. DISCO In
relation to the investment of some trust funds IN
his care and able 10 consult VIII lcItItnce 10
his own affairs. aud 10 sign checks and drafts, al
though his arm was IN sling ana he required CON
slant and. On Friday morning last he realized that
/ the end Yas near, and to all with whom he talked
ON that day he uttered farewell words. lie sent for
Eishop Potter and had long and earnest CONVERSE
ton with him; also for DR.. Swope, OF lHnlty
Chanel to whom he babe goodbye, llo dictated
to his daughter, Mrs. Blake, telegraphlc message
to his daughter Mrs. Walsh, who lives IN Japan,
saving ht was about To leave this world IN the nope
of an immortal life, and giving her his pateTnal
blcssiup, lie talked foudly with the members OF
ms family who surrounded ms bedside sometimes
losing consciousness and at others suffering great
pain b.. altering no complaint, ana bearing MS
Affections with characteristic fortItudc. HIS last
coherent words To- the sOrTOWlug family group
which stood around lin were 4: believe III I'od'
md have entire tMth IN CiIlSJ my hedecler' l am
az cumIty with 80 man. .
On saturday morning General DXs faculties
were coudcl. and his physicians after consultation
announced tiIst tine end was near at hand, ana his
death might bee expected DO q few hours Al ; =.
IN. of that day lac rallied Tor a snort
tme and seemed 10 bo perfectly con-
sclou-, though unable 10 speak above whisper.
At > y. m. Zee fell INTO clhargic sleep, from winch
thc pliysicIaus believed be- would never rally.
Through tine night and ali day Yesterday the
q, XoIs watchers 10y the bed of death believed that
al o'clock this morning there had 0ccn no apparent
change iOr than twenty -IOul hours, except lhdJ
the diving veteran was growing weaker cach pass
iug hour al that time he had taken no nOuTishmoht
Tor none than ittv hours, and II was not thought
pCs~iblc that lite cCuld be prolonged many hours.
Dr Morgan Dix. whohad watched with his father
iOr IouI nights. went home carly last night but re-
turned later. Among ilr friends VINO were IN Tue
house vith tho SorruwiUg family was i)r h. IT, ,rll-
beat, who wa on General DIX medical stan vs. heh
o., latter Sa, Iu command al Fortress Monroe our
lax the war OF the rebellion.
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