The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-11-28
DEATH OF VICE PRESIDENT HENDRICKS


DEATH OF VICE PRESIDENT HENDRICKS.
The whole country was greatly startled
on Wednesday evening by the announce
ment of the sudden death, at his home IN
indianapolis, of Thomas A. Hendricks
Vice President of the United States. lie
had returned from Chicago but the day be-
fore and in the evening, with his wife, had
attended a reception given by state Treas
urer Cooper, returning TO his home about
midnight, apparently in his usual health,
and resting we'll during the night. tie
arose as usual next morning and ate
hearty breakfast but after that felt unweil
The family physician was called anu 1ound
the patient suffering from a chill, from
which in an hour he was relieved, though
somewhat Frustrated by the rigor lie
suffered some during the day with pain In
the bowels, but at 80 o'clock said he was
free from pain and so well that for the frst
time his wife left him alone to answer
some calls. She was absent Fl )m the room
less than half an hour and when she re-
turned found him dead. DR.. Thompson,
who had been with him most of the day,
saws he undoubtedly died of paralysis OF
the brain.
Thomas Andrews Hendricks was born
near GAINESVILLE, Ohio, Sept. Ith, 1919, 70
which place his father, John Hendricks,
had moved a few years before from west
moreland county, Pa. In 1925 the family
moved to Madison Ind, and afterwards TO
Shelbyvile, where the family was reared,
Dung Thomas attended the village school
until of sufficient age, when he was sent to
college at South Hanover, Ind, and after
wards studied law with Judge Major, at
Shelbyville, passing the final period of his
study with Judge Thomson, at Chambers
burg. Pa. He was admitted to the bar at
Shelbyvile in 1913, and being an eXcep-
tionally fine speaker soon obtained large
practice. In 1913 he was elected to the
tate legislature, declining a reelection
two wears later. In 1851 he was elected TO
A seat in Congress, and two years later was
reelected At the expiration of his sec
md term he was appointed by President
fierce Commissioner of tho General Land
Office at Washington, which he held until
1860 Then the democrats nominated him
or Governor of Indiana, but the party at
he time was split into the Douglas and
Breckenridge factions, and Hendricks was
eaten by Henry S. Lane. He then re-
moved to indianapolis and opened law
,fllce, making that his home ever since.
IN 1863, the democrats having recovered
heir power in the state, Mr.. Hendricks
vas sent to the L. s. Senate, where he
,eryed until 1862 and during those event
nj wears was the recognized leader of the
small democratic minority in that body.
While still in the Senate he was nominated
or Governor, but was beaten by Conrad
ilker by 800 majority, though the general
majority against the democrats was about
Z 900. In 1872 the democrats again nomin,
a ed him for Governor, and this time he
W IS elected by ZOO majority, though the
| r st of the democratic state ticket was de.
| feated In 1876 he was given the second
| place upon the Presidential ticket with
Samuel j. Tilden, and it is conceded on
all sides that it was his personal strength
that saved the state at the time to the
democrats, as he again saved 1t when plac-
ed on the ticket with Cleveland.
| Mr.. Hendricks was married in 1S45 to
| Eliza G. Morgan, of Shelbyville, with
whom he had but one child, son that died
when but three years old. Mrs. H. was a
brilliant and accomplished woman, and a
reataid to him in his political career, as
she had large and varied information and
excellent judgment besides being ever
ambitious for her husbands political ad.
yaucement. During their residence at In.
dianapolis the pair had been prominent in
all representative social features of the
city's existence, as well as leaders in all
charitable movements, both contributing
freely, in work as well as money. For
years Mr.. ii. had been warden in St
Paurs Episcopal church and connected
with the benevolent movements of that or
ganlzation. While any attempt here at an
analysis of his character would be absurd,
this at least may be said, that though a
ical contests, the sturdy honesty and integ.
rity of his character was seldom question
ed and few public men have had their of
fetal conduct less criticised.
The FREE TRADER is promptly and JOY