River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-01-22
DEATH OF SCHUYLER COLFAX
Expire ssions Of Regret from the President
and Congress Of Old
Time Friends

elderly gentleman Of noble -looking physique
stepped from the coach, and, with satchel in
hand, walked to the Omaha depot as Is sup
posed for the purpose of taking the IL a. m.
train on that road west. He walked up to a
gentleman outside of the depot and inquired
for the gentlemen's waiting room, and was
directed thereto. After stepping inside he
walked up TO map on the wall and after
perusing it awhile walked across the room
TO window and looked out for a short
time. He sat down with his Overcoat on his
LAP There were at the time three persons
in the depot These parties observed the
stranger growing pale, and they fastened to
him with water, supposing him to be in
a faint He settled back in the seat and gave
one gasp for breath, which was the last evil
dence of life he manifested The fact was
telephoned to the business part of the city
that a stranger had dropped dead at the
depot, and in few minutes it was reported
that the deceased was supposed u be Hon.
SCHUYLER COlfaX, eX-Vfce president OF the
United States, as letters and other papers
were found on his person bearing his address
at South Bend, Ind. Parties who have seen
Mr. ColfaX in life were hastily summoned to
substantiate the fact which was only too
true The members of the Odd Fellows lodge
took charge of the body of their Industrious
brother, and through the kind thoughtfulness
of DR. G. q. Harrington and lady The remains
were TAKEN 10 IHdt gentleman . ItSlutliC6
and cared for by the undertaken, and laid
in a fitting casket The spacious residence
of the doctor was thrOnged with visitors
until the hour of departure for the depot, all
anxious to get a glance at the fllustrious
face Steps were taken early in the afternoon
for a proper disposal, and the kilograms were
received from relatives at South Bend Ind.
TO have the remains taken on at once. The
lodge of l. o. o. T. at that city instructed the
same brotherhood here to detail committee
LODI To- ff1ea
body to Chicago and the services OF l. z.
Hunt Esq and J. Patterson were secured
for that duty. Leading citizens assisted in
their efforts to make this last tribute to the
nlustrious dead every way becoming the dis
tinguished reputation of the deceased A
special meeting OF the lodge of o. o. f. was
called to make preparations for proper
conveyance of the remains to the depot.
NOTIFYING THE PRESIDENT.
As soon as the identity of the deceased was
established. Mr. l. P Hunt, postmaster at this
city. sent the following dispatch to President
Arthur:
To the President of the United States, Wash
IngtOu ID. C.. Ex-Fiee President Schuyler Col
fax dropped dead III the city of Mankato, Mimi,
at 1875 this morning when about to take
train. He arrived in the oity the Chicago,
Milwaukee IL s.. Paul at 10 o'clock and walked
TO the Chicago. St. Paul & Omaha depot, dis
tance of three -fourths of a mile. The thermom-
eter was at 30 deg below zero. He entered a
warm room and expired within three minutes
thereafter. His remains now lie in state at DIR.
Harrington s residence, under charge of Odd Fell
lows assisted by prominent citizens Every at
tentiOn will be paid to the remains until advices
from the family are received
lSignedl l.. P. HUNT, P. NJ,
2. ZIMMERMAN,
CARL DICE,
And Citizens Generally.
The president made acknowledgment of
the message as follows:
Executive Mansion. Washington, d. c., Jan.
I3, 1855. ~ Mr., J.. p. Hunt, Postmaster, and
others. ManKato: The president has received
with deep sorrow Your dispatch announcing the
sudden death to-day at MankatO of ex-Vice Pres
Ident COlfaX.
TSignedl FRED J. PHILLIPS Private Secretary.
This afternoon Coroner Paddock summoned
a jury and held an inquest over the remains,
the verdict being in substance that the de
ceased came to his death suddenly from some
cause to the jury unknown. Several theo-
ries are advanced as to the cause of the death
Of Mr. COIfax It is thought by some that
the walk in the cold atmosphere, the
thermometer being at 80 deg. below
after remaining so long in a
heated car, produced the sad result, while
cause. The old theory of heart disease, Of
course was advanced No one here knows
where the deceased was en- route for, and
there we've papers on his person indicating
morning at Z O'Clock The remains, as they
lay in beautiful casket clothed in suit of
black, were the picture of quiet repOse.
There was not the least resemblance of
corpse about them.
THE NEWS AT SOUTH BEND.
South BEND, md, Jan. 13-The news of
the death of Mr Colfax created the greatest
CONSERVATION in this city, where he passed
his life from boyh0od, and where he was so
highly honOred and respected. He left here
yesterday morning at Z o'clock. A note TO
the editor of the Tribune from him said he
was compelled TO leave that morning to fill
engagements in Northern Iowa made months
ago He concluded his note as follows:
fee. regretful that 1 have to be away from
the funeral of my lifelong friend Mr.; Bur
Toughs, for there has been the warmest friend
ship between us for over forty years.
1t would seem that Mr.. COlfaX had a
premonitiOn of death On Saturday, in
the Tribune editorial room, he said:
Il have appointed George W. Matthews my
executor When asked if he expected to
pass away soon. he replied: Il am liable to
drop dead at any moment" His remains
will reach here Thursday morning at 2
O'Clock 4 delegation of citizens Will go
from here To Chicago to receive them. Mrs.
COlfaX is completely Frustrated at the terri
bic news Teiegrams of coincidence are
pouring i'm upon her from every part OF the
country
fNprAxAPoIIs. Spe eal Telegram. Jan. 49,
received with sincere regret by political and per-
sOual friends here and both bodies OF the legis-
lature Adjourned until tomorrow out of respect
% hIs memory, when the announcement was
made to- them. Mr.. CoifaX here about two
werES ago oG business, and purchased S3O,OOO
worth OF stock in the indianapolis Nation al
bank. Ill" also AZ the same time made will,
disprsing OF iiis property to mis- wife and chill
dTeu. His estate. il Is thought will amount to
Fl 81, 900. the greater part OF which he has
earned by lccturiug since lie left political life.
kf,r maj he had
members ind officers of the order of Odd Fell
low and active participant In all the deltber-
tiNls IT the grand lodge. Ex-tiov. Porter. who
Tor years was his warm personal friend, the
state aud federal officers, and large number OF
private citizens are arranging to attend the fun
sral.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, Special Telegram Jan. 13-
The announcement of the sudden death of
SCHUYLER ColfaX was received here late this
aNPuiH.r. while preparations We're being made
by senators aud members to attend the re-
,eption given to night at the White House to
the diplomatic corps, There are compare
tivetv few men now in congress who served
In that BODY with Mr. COlfax; and these few,
whatever NAV be their opinions as to the
misfortune which overlook him in the Credit
Mobiler investigation. speak of him as man
who possessed ability of high order, and
whose kindly nature drew to him in friendly
intimacy even his political opponents.
WAsHISCToN, Jan l3-In the house OF
representatives., MI. DAOWHt u AuNlhha,
arising, said:
| perform tile sad duty of announcing to the
house the death OF Schuyler COlfax, at one time
speaker OF this house and late vice president of
the UoiJed States. telegram was received
through the associated press this afternoon
about = O'Clock announcing this sad event
offer the following resolution:
WHEREAS. Intelligence has just reached this
hOu-e that Schuyler Colfax, for many years a
member ct his body and its speaker, and late
vice president If the United States, died this
day at Na2katu, Mimi, and
WEEEEAs, Deceased was distinguished cit
lzen ~ jle republic and conspicuous figure IN
Us his CRY. sud
WHEREAS. !, is fit that this house. in which he
so Icing serycd and over which he presided as
speaker. should give expression to its sorrow for
his loss IL, regard tor his memory, and its sym
pathy fox mis- here we'd family: therefore be it
RCSoiUc That his house do now adjourn.
This resolution was unanimously adopted.
AMI the house adjourned
Painful suspense.
MY dear" he said as he entered