The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-26

told of the statesman's last hour.
Within were all the signs Of death-visited
home. There were light footsteps. sad. tear
dimmed faces and low-voiced utterances, while
from distant room camo the heart breaking
sobs of the bereaved wife. Up and down stairs
moved the undertakers assistants in their SOL
emn preparations, while member of the family
told to inquring friends the circumstance of the
great mans taking off. Now began to toll the
bells of the city, conveying to far-off ears the
intelligence of some eminent one dead.
There can be no lingering over the details of
Thomas A. Hendricks's death. They are as sim
pie as they are heartrending, with no story of
prolonged suffering or agonizing struggle It
was brief fight against death, and at the very
time it was thought the dread eonqueror had
been conquered he claimed his own.
During the latter part of the spring of this
year or the first of the summer Mr.. Hen
bricks visited the Hot Springs He remained a
short time, but while there he suffered a slight
attack of paralysis. No degree of apprehension
was attached to it, and the Vice president came
North feeling improved in general health.
Later in the summer he went
to the lakes of Wisconsin, al
visit that was interrupted by the death of Gen
eral Grant; but after attending the funeral of
the great warrior he returned to his Wisconsin
resort. It was the first part of September he
returned to the city, and on that occasion he said
to the writer that he never felt better or
enjoyed visit more thoroughly. He
was enthusiastic over the beauty of the scenery
he had viewed, the people he had met, and
promised great future for tho Wisconsin lakes
as a summer resort. Excepting one or two short
this city.
On Tuesday evening he left off his ordinarily
heavy clothing for an evening dress. With Mrs.
Hendricks he attended the Cooper reception, and,
returning just before 12 o'clock to his home, he
complained of slight chilliness. Retiring in a
short time, he slept we'll, and yesterday morning
arose without any serious presence of the slight
indisposition he felt the night before At 81
o'clock he ate breakfast with the usual ease and
heartiness of one who enjoyed his food. An
hour later, though not feeling well, and yet not
sufficiently ill to lie down, he and Mrs Hen
bricks took short walk on Meridian
street, returning in half hour. 1t
was then that the first serious
symptoms were shown. His chief complaint
previously. in addition to the chilly sensations,
was over sourness of stomach On reaching
the house from his walk the chilliness increased,
and his stomach became more troublesome. It'll
was then that he went to bed, while a.
messenger called in the family ply
sician, DR.. Thompson The Doctor came
Immediately, and found his distinguished patient
in no very grave condition. 1t appeared to be a
simple case of malaria, which quinne and slim
ulants would overcome. These remedies were
administered with good effect. but return of
the bad feeling led the Doctor to give him castor
oil and molasses, which was followed by the ex-
pected satisfactory results. Mr.. Hendricks asked
the Doctor to give him stronger medicines, but
he told him that in view of his early departure
simple remedies which would serve the purpose
AS we'll as any strong treatment. But pains in
bricks felt apprehensive. The Doctor remained
throughout the morning. until o'clock in the
afternoon. In the morning he resorted
to cupping and administered bromides the Vice
president saying in short time: II feel a great
deal better" The signs Of improvement being
marked. and not doubling that Mr.. Hendricks
would pass through the attack as he had done
several of a similar character within the last
year. Doctor Thompson felt perfectly safe in
leaving him for time in the charge of his
nephew, Harry Morgan, and the servant Tom.
About half past o'clock the Vicepresidents
pains returned, and, increasing in severity, word
was again sent for the immediate presence of
DR.. Thompson. This was at o'clock or very
few minutes after. Hurrying as fast as possible
the Doctor reached the house only to learn that
Mr.. Hendricks had died few minutes before,
the time being, as near as could be ascertained,
between quarter and half hour past o'clock.
when approached the bed." said the Doc
tor, II doubted that he was dead. Hes
looked very much as he did in life, and this, with
the fact that at no time during his days illness
had any apprehension of danger, led me to be-
lieve Linn still alive, but taking his hand. the
dread truth was told. He died of paralysis of
the brain, with slight complication of heart
affection from the same cause"
If his physician free from apprehension,
Mr. Hendricks pas NOT Soon after tha minis