Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-21
GENERAL HURLuUT's DEATH.
Distressing Incidents of His
Last Hours.

PANAMA, April 12.-The last
steamer from the South coast brought
the sad news Of the death on the
morning of March 9th, of General
Stephen A. Hurlbut, United States
Minister resident in Peru. The Lima
correspondent of the Star and Herald
describes the distressing incidents in
connection with the sad event. he
says: Up to the morning of his death |
the deceased gentlemen had been in |
the enjoyment of the best of health,
and had been visiting his friends and
taking leave Of them prior to his de-
parture for the United States, which
was fixed for the 9Th prox.. and moth
ing indicated his sudden demise. He
awOke and dressed as usual early on
the 9th, and played for some little
time with his two grandchildren, of
whom he was exceptionally fond, and
then, while washing his face, was sud.
denly seized with such intense pain in
the region Of the heart as compelled
him to give vent to agonizing cries,
which aroused every one in the house.
He was soon surrounded by Mrs.
Hurlbut and his son, Mr.. George
Hurlbut, and his wife and servants,
but for some minutes remained in the
strong agony and totally deprived of
all power Of articulation. A doctor
was almost instantaneously in attend.
ance, but no appliances were at hand
to render assistance, even if such
could have been of service against
the acute attack from which the Gen.
eral was suffering. He was placed upon
a bed, where he momentarily recov-
cred consciousness, his first exclama
ton being: God bless you all; l am
dying; oh, my heartl" A few more
disjointcd phrases were all he uttered,
and in less than twenty minutes from
the first attack he ceased to exist.
Directly after the calamity became
known General Lynch dispatched an
aide to offer surgical or other assist :
anOe which might be required, and
the Legation was thronged by a null
titude of all nationalities, whose SUBJ
dued voices and spontaneous condo
leuces proved how terribly and wide.
spread the blow had made itself felt,
The members bereaved family were
so overcome sthat they could take no
action, and some friends, at the head
Of whom were Jacob Backus and d.
H. B. Davis, formed committee Of
five to make all arrangements which
might be necessary. General Lynch
at once offered, in the name of the
government of Chill, to take charge
of the remains and give them public
funeral, conducted with the ceremony
and honor due to the high official po-
sition and military rank Of the de-
ceased. This offer, however, was de-
clined by Mrs. Hurlbut, who was
averse to military display, and ex-
pressed a wish that Episcopal SER
vices should be had at the Legation
and the body have temporary lodge
ment in the Meiggs vault at Villegss,
kindly placed at her disposal by Henry
Meiggs, pending transfer of the re-
mains to the United States. This
wish was carried out. although mOdi-
fed, by the large attendance at the re-
moval of the remains from the Lega-
ton to the railroad station, and by
large delegation of some important
Peruvian gentlemen, who requested
aud obtained permission to drape the
residence in mourning, and con-
structed in one Of the largest salons a
mortuary chapel, in which the body
lay and was viewed by a number of
visitors. The remains were sur
rounded by ornate funeral decorations
and wreaths Of floral adornments.
The suddenness Of the death of
General Hurlbut gave rise to number
less rumors. 1t was first asserted that
he died from the effect of poison. Bx-
travagancc succeeded extravaganza in
such form that the authorities con-
sidered it their duty to recommend
post-mortem be held. The family
were strongly opposed to any examina
ton, since all were thoroughly satisfied
as to the cause of death but public
grounds were urged then by friends,
and finally Mrs. Hurlbut reluctantly
gave her consent. The examination
took place yesterday in the presence
of ten surgeons Of different nation
alities. Drs. Schofeld and Baldwin,
of Pensacola, Florida, performed
the operation, being assisted by
others. 1t was most carefully exc
cuted, and almost all present agreed in
declaring that death had arisen from
aneurism Of the heart. One or two,
however, expressed the wish that che
contents Of the stomach should be
analysed, and as this request could not