The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-15
LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH.
The Final Attack of Paralysis at San Fran
cisco-His Death and Funeral.


cisco-His Death and Funeral
Senator Morton's first attack of paralysis in
1865, and the twelve years that followed, were
constant struggle between that malady and his
mighty will. His father and brother had died
of the same disease, and one sister had been
stricken with it. The last public appearance of
Senator Morton in Indiana was on Decora-
ton Day, May 30, 1876, when he delivered an ad
dress at Grown Hill Cemetery, indianapolis. In
the spring of 1877, as one of the subcommittee
to whom an investigation into the case of Sena-
tor Grover, of Oregon, had been referred he,
with Senators Salisbury, of Delaware, and Nc
MILAN, of Minnesota, forming that committee,
started for Oregon. The investigation lasted
eighteen days, during which he worked inces-
sanity. At Salem, Oregon, at the close of the
investigation, he made public speech, which
was characterized as the best ever delivered in
Oregon 1t was his last speech. Accompanied
by his wife and youngest son, he reached San
Francisco early in August. The evening Of the
9th he retired between and 10 o'clock, after
eating hearty lunch and feeling unusually well.
Towards midnight he awoke and said to his wife
that he felt very weak. In an hour or two more
he complained that he was losing the of his
left arm. By morning the entire left side had
passed under the influence of the paralysis. On
the 18th of August, in a special car, with the best
arrangements possible for the sick man, the re-
turn journey began. He bore his affection with
great forttude and only feared he would not
reach home to die. His home in indianapolis
not being prepared for his reception. he was ia
ken to Richmond Ind, to the residence of Mrs
Burbank his mother-in-law On the
18th of September, the sick Senator was visited
by President Hayes. On the evening of the
10Th of October he was placed in special car
and removed to his home in indianapolis. This
short trip seemed to do him some good, and the
hope of his recovery, at least sufficient to take
his seat in the Senate, was strengthened. So
absorbing was his interest in public affairs and
his desire to keep up with current events that
he insisted upon having the daily papers read to
him at almost every waking moment. Meanwhile
it was becoming apparent that the vital forces
were rapidly giving way, and that he could not
last much longer. For several weeks he took
no nourishment except milk or occasionally
little beef tea, and even these were not digested
The paralysis had reached his stomach Still
his mind continued active and when his friends
visited his bedside he would welcome them with
a pleasant smile and grasp of the hand.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
From Tuesday, Oct. 30 it was evident TO all
that his case was hopeless. During the 31st his
death was hourly expected The morning of
Thursday, Nov. l, dawned gloomily. The shut
ters of the Senator's were thrown open,
and the dull gray light entered. He continued
during the day in much the same condition as
throughout the previous night He suffered
from burning sensations. He had frequent
hccoughing, but was relieved by the free appliea-
ton of choroform. At 6 o'clock in the morning
the vesicles of the skin refused to absorb NOR
phia, and the administration of that drug was
discontinued. At the hour of noon Mrs Morton
and her two sons were left alone for forty min
utes with the dying father. AT P. NJ. it became
evident that death was near at hand. He had
been for the most part lying in a recumbent post
ure supported by pillows, but as he weakened his
position changed until, for an hour before death,
thrown back, his eyes closed Mrs.
left side, gazing intently upon his
face. Mrs. Morton's sisters-ATrs. Scott
Mrs Gill and Mrs Holloway, the last sup
ported by her husband and the Senator's niece
Mrs. Lizzie Wood, were on the same side of the
bed On the other side were the nurses, and
Governor Burbank and DIR. w. C. Thompson; at
the foot of the bed. Rev. DR.. Day, J. A. Wild
man, and E. W. Halford At 4:45 the Senator
was in great pain in his chest and stomach He
said; 81 am dying" Mrs. Holloway, who was
tanning him, asked: ''Oliver, you are not
afraid to die" and he replied by shaking his
head from side to side on the pillow His son
Walter clasped his hand and said Father, do
you know mel" The Senator reused, made an
effort to speak, nodded that he knew his family,
and received their kisses with evident delight.
At o'clock the end was rapidly coming on. The
Senator continued to move his hand across his
chest and stomach, occasionally changing the
position of his head. DR.. Thompson bent over
him and said: BE calm, Governor, be calm"
at the same time tanning his face, and adding:
Governor Morton is not afraid to. die The
Senator clusped the Doctors hand and replied: