Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-03-03
DEATH OF SENATOR CARPENTER.

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Senator Matt Fl. Carpenter breathed his last
in this city this morning at $50, surrounded by
his family, who have tenderly nursed him
through his long illnoss, by his home physician,
DIR. Fox of Milwaukee, his local physician, and
by Representative Williams, Of Wisconsin.
DR.. Paret, Of the Episcopal Church OF this city,
read the service for the dying as the life of the
late Senator slowly ebbed away. From the hour
that DR.. Fox arrived here, yesterday morning,
on his rapid trip from Milwaukee, all
hope was abandoned. DR.. Fox, who knew Mr..
Carpenters condition so well, and who, one
year ago, had told him that his disease was in
curable instantly decided that the hours OF the
sick man were numbered, and informed his
family that his death might be expected in
few hours. MIR. Carpenter was not himself
made acquainted with his condition, although
it was evident, from numerous indications dur
ing the day, that be knew that the hour of his
fate had come. During the early part of the
evening he was fully conscious, and recog-
Liked his family. After O'Clock he sank into
semi-unconscious condition, from which, how
ever, he would arouse whenever remarks were
addressed to him. Occasionally member of
his family would seek to obtain from him some
$ GU of recognition, and the sufferer, by word,
or look, or pressure OF the hand was able 10
O'Clock this morning Mr.. Carpenter seemed to
be sinking. His pulse almost ceased, and il
was thought that the supreme moment
had arrived. He rallied soon after
that, however, and was less unconscious
until 4 o'clock. AT that hour his wife. his son
"a lad of 14--and his daughter, a Young
woman Of 20, were gathered about his bedside.
The physicians had indicated that the remain
ing hours OF the husband and father were few.
The death-pall was settling down upon the
chamber, yet there was no outward demonstra-
ion Of grief. Anxious to secure another recog-
milton, the stricken wife asked "AIatt, do you
know me y The dying man aroused himself
for moment, and feebly answered
"0f course, | do" These were his
last words on earth. From that time until the
hour Of his decease, he renamed in
painless Inconsistencies. A little before $50
the physician announced that the final moment
WAS soon to come The clergyman, Dr. Paret
then solemnly read the dying service, and as it
was concluding the spirit of Matthew III. Car
penter passed from earth. 1t was character
lstic OF the wonderful intellect OF the man that
his head died last.
His physicians say that, contrary TO the usual
course with such disease, his mind was clear
to the last moment. 1t had been evident to Mr..
Carpenters friends for many months. if he
wouli not realizeit himself, that he was stricken
with that terrible malady called Bright's dis
ease. The stalwart form had become so wasted
that his clothes hung loosely about him. There
was an ashy palloT ON his face. The voice had
grown so weak that its silvory notes rose very
feebly to the galleries.
About one year ago no consulted with his
physician In Wisconsin, DIR. Fox, who an
nOunced to him the sad fact that his malady
was Brights disease, and that it had advanced
so far that his case YVES incurable.
'.From thathour, said his physician yesterday,
she was a man under sentence Mr. CARPENTER
aof not hal n
chased many medical books relating to that sub
ject, and studied the disease with the thorough
ness which characterized all his Investigations
He caused analysis to be made, and, when GER
tam symptoms on some days were wanting
would decide that his physicians were
mistaken, and that he had q new hold
on hfe. He remained in torrid Washing
ton all the last summer The physicians
that he had consulted in New York advised
him not TO remove from a warm climate
through fear that the change to cooler tenn
perature might result in reactiee- ~
would prove injurious. Accordingly through
the heat and malaria and summer torture here,
he remained housed during the daytime, devot-
ing himself assiduously to his extensive law
pract ce, and at night, when the temperature
was more moderate, riding about the streets
in an open carriage to get a breath
OF good air. Winter came and he was
IN his seat In Congress at the beginning,
out ne was SELDOM there a1tcrNard. lie seemed
to be conscious of his changed appearance He
was especially sensitive at remarks about his
health. He did not wish the report to 90 out
that he was not a strong man. He was reluctant
to admit that he was losing his hold upon life,
and possibly his absence from the Senate DUR
ing this session was due in part to the fact that
he did not care to enter into debate which
would show his increasing feebleness. Three
weeksago he took severe cold, and had an at
tack Of pneumonia. 1t was then feared that he
would not recover, but he was able to 20 to his
Office for some days, when again he was strick-
en- down, and in that last illness be died
Mr.. Carpenter was born at Moretown. Vt. in
1924, and adopted by Gov. Dillingham;. For
two years hewa cad 4 at wles Point. whence
he went into the Law Office of Rufus Choate. in
Boston. He married the daughter Of his
foster-father and removed to Wis
consin, settling It Beloit in ls4s.
removing to Milwaukee ten years later. AT the
outbreak OF the war he left the Democrats
party and became an active Republican. IN
1869 he was elected tothe United States senate.
and became President pro tenn. OF that bodv'
In 1879 he was chosen to succeed Senator
Howe. He had an inenracce on his life Of
$4,000
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