The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-14

exclaimed my Cod and expired The re
mains will leave to-day for New York
Charles OConor was native of New Yorkcity.
He was born in the year 1904, the son Of an
Irishman of culture, a member of the Catholic
Church, in which faith his distinguished
continue. The future eminent lawyer did not
receive university education. The associa-
lions of his life at home while he was pupil in
common school, were, however, favorable to
the developement of his mental powers. He
was admitted to the bar when about twenty
years of age, rose rapidly in his profession, and
was recognized as lawyer of unusual abil-
tty and promise before he was thirty. When
under fifty years old he had achieved a
national reputation. OF the important cases in
which he has taken part, two are pre- eminent
namely: The Mason will case in which he is
considered to have made his greatest argument,
and the Forrest, divorce suit in which he ap-
peared for Mrs. Forrest. The statement is
made that the great actor on one occasion
threatened personal violence toward the eloquent
advocate who represented his wifes interests in
this lawsuit, but was overawed by his cool cour-
age and dignity. Mr.. O'ConOr in recent years
has resided at Nantucket, in the enjoyment of
an ample income earned by his brilliant success
at the bar His estate is thought to
be worth about $lOO0,O00 not sur
prisiEgly large amount when his long practice,
during the best period of which he made from
$50, 900 to $4,000 year, and the appreciation of
the real estate in which he invested are
taken into account After being bachelor
many years, he married one of his clients, a
widow belonging to the Livingston family, with
whom he lived but short time. Their tastes
were as opposite as their religious preferences
lshe was Protestent), and they separated.
When, after many years, Mr.. OConor received
the news of his wife's death, he is said to have
wept bitterly. He has no children, Mr.: OConor
was always favorite among his brother attor-
neys. His nature was gentle and sympathetic,
and his quick sensibilities often belied the cold
exterior which he assumed He was Democrat
in politics. During the presidency of Pierce he
acted as District Attorney for few months.
He was member of the constitutional conven-
ton of 1864. His nomination for the presidency,
in 1872, resulted in few votes being cast for
him in several States. These, perhaps, may be
regarded rather as complimentary to the man
than as an Endorsement of the extreme views
entertained by that section of the Democratic
party which nominated Nm.
HIS LAST AND FATAL ILLNESS.
Nantucket Special. May IL
The seclusion from the world which Charles
OConor so earnestly sought in the latter years
Of his life attends him in his dying hours. His
splendid mansion, high upon cliff which over
looks the sea. is isolated even from the quaint
old town in which noise is heard. Within
tho great lawyer lies in the chamber where only
and passively awaits the approach of death. His
open eyes see nothing His extremites cold,
and at times the feeble utter of the pulse is i'm
perceptibe to the doctors careful touch The
mind Of the dying man is still active. 1t never
wanders. but he speaks only when questioned,
and then only in the fewest words He has
made every arrangement for his death and has
no object, no wish save to die. 1t has been
three weeks to-day since the dying jurist
selxed with his last illness, OF rather with the
fatal elimination of an illness which has made
his life burden for years The doctors gave
it no name. but it may be termed reflex action
of the stomach. He had just returned from New
York when the more grave symptoms appeared,
but he did not take to his bed until the follow
ing Wednesday morning
On the same afternoon he sent for DR.. Edward
Roth pupil of his old physician DR.. Keys, and
intimated that the time coming when he
should die, and that his wish was to die as easy
as possible He did not want any medicine
which might cOnduce to the preservation of his
life, and his only object in summoning medical
man was that he might not suffer from pain
which would distract his mind during his last
hours He desired that the doctor should call at
stated intervals. so long as he continued to live,
and finally fixed upon the time for each visit as
once every three hours day and night. During
tho early part of his illness he drank glass
two OF milk, and subsequently very little Tokay
wine and glass of lager beer. His stomach did
not reject these, but he declined to continue tax.
ing Them possibly because he thought they
would retard the approach of death. When
the doctor first prescribed for him he was
particular to inquire as to the nature of the
medicine. Il do not want to take anything
that will prolong life. l want only that which
will keep me from pain" was his determined
wish. DIR. Keys, who was called from
New York, said that nothing more could be done
than being done, and as Mr. O'Conor was of
the same opinion, DR. Keys returned home
Slight nourishment was, howevr, administered
without the patient being aware of it. 1t con-
sisted of very mild extract of beef, disguised in
bitter drink. One bottle of this was given him
from Saturday week ago until Tuesday last when
his stomach rejected even this, and it was discon
tinued. Since Tuesday last he has taken moth
ing but ice water, and that in very small quaint
ties from the hands of the doctor. So long he
retained his vision he was particular to see that
piece of ice was in every drink which he took,
and he looked for the doctor on the stroke of the
hour with the same regard of exactness which
has been characteristic of him through life.
The wonderful vitality in a man Of such ad-
vanced age puzzles even the physicians. 1t is
not, as is usually the case where such clinging to
existence is found, struggle to live 1t is the
mere retention Of life without any ex-
eroise of the will of the dying man.
1t Is possible that the lawyer may
compare life in this instance to a tenant who
holds over his term, and refuses to quit without
forcible ejectment. Within the last few days
the tenure has been most uncertain. Yesterday
morning. when the doctor called he felt con
WINGED for a moment that the end had come
Tho wasted wrist was cold to the touch, and
whore once had been the full, strong throb, no
pulsatOn could be felt. Presently the thin lips
moved, and the words my God" were heard
not impatiently but as if in prayer. Later in
the day the evidence of life became stronger
and at night the sick man appeared much better
than he had been. This morning the favorable
symptoms continued, but death may occur at
any moment. When the ice water was offered
him to day he refused it. II don't want it." was
his answer. but when the offer was repeated, and
he was told that it was from the doctor, he
took very small quantity. II do not suffer
any has been his answer from the first and his
hope that he might die easily will be realized at
and Father insolvency, of Nantucket, visited
his house to administer the last rites of the
church last week, but it is learned from reliable
sources that he declined to hold any communi-
cation with them