New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-25
SENATOR CARPENTER DEAD,
ACCOUNT OF HIS LAST SICKNESS
BRAVE STRUGGLE AGAINST AN ISCURABLE
D1srAsy-DYING SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
1nx rr1r6p .pu To THE TRInuNE.I

DIsEAsE-DYING SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.i
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Senator Carpenter
breathed his last in this city this morning at 9:3o
surrounded by his family, who have tendery nursed
him through his long Illness and two or three int-
mate personal friends DR.. Paret. of the Protestant
Episcopal Church of this city. read the service for
the dying as the life of the late Senator slowly ebbed
away. Dr. Fox his homo physician, ar
rived from Wisconsin yesterday morning lie
knew Mr. Carpenters condition well. and one
year ago had told him that his disease was Insura-
bic. He instantly decided that the hours
Of the sick man were numbered, and informed
his family that his death might be expected in a
few hours. Mr.. Carpenter was not himself MADE
acquainted with his condition; although it was evil
dent from numerous indications during the day that
he knew the hour of his death was near. During
the early part of the evening he fully conscious
and recognized his family. After O'CLOCK he sank
into semi-unconscious condition. from which,
however, he would AROUSE whenever re-
marks were addressed to him. About L
o'clock this morning Mr.. Carpenter seemed to be
sinking, and his pulse almost ceased He rallied
soon after and was more fully conscious until a
o'clock. At that hour his wife, his son. and Dis
daughter were gathered about his bedside. Inc
physicians had indicated that the remaining hours
of the husband and father were few. Anxons to
secure another recognition the stricken wife asked
| Matt, do you know me ~ The dying man aroused
himself for moment, and feebly answered
"Of course l do" These were his last
words From that time until the hour OF his
| death he remained in painless unconsciousness'
| little before $50 the physician announced that
| death was near. The clergyman then soemnly read
| the dying service and when it was endcd MT
| CARPENTER had quietly passed away.
| 1t had been evident to Mr.. Carpenter for many
months that he was stricken with a fatal malady
| The strong frame became wasted and the ruddy
| face grew.pallid About one year ago he consulted
| with Dr. Fox, who announced to him the TACT tha'
| his maady was Brights disease and that 1t hac
| advanced so far that his case was incurable
| Mr. CARPENTER could not or would not; De
| heve it, He purchased many medical book'
| relating to that subject and studied the disease
| and when certain symptoms on some daIS vert
| wanting would decide that his physicians were
| mistaken, and that he had new hold on 1ie' ne
| remained in Washington all last summer, IN com
pliance with the advice or pDyslclahs Wnol Nc 'O
! Consulted in ew-YOrk in the dav-tlme dev0tinP
| himself assduously to his extensive law practice
| anu at night, when the temperature was more mou
crate riding about the strees III an open carriage
| Winter came and no was in bis seat IN Congress ~
the beginning; but he was seldom there aiterwaIu
He seemed to be conscious of his changed appear
| ance and was especially sensitive to remarks about
his health. He did not wish the report 10 go ou
| that he not strong man, ana was IcIuCtdht u
| admit that he was losing his hold upon life.
| Three weeks ago he took severe coid. anu nat y.
| an attack of pneumonia. 1t was then feared tlia
he would not recover. but he was able to go to M
| office for some DAYS, when again lie was stilCkei
| down with his final illness