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

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Nov. pa very brief bulletin,
simply announcing that Vice president Hem
bricks had dropped dead at his home in Indian
apolis. received here at 6:l5 this evening
Instantly it was transmitted by telephone to the
White House, and in a few minutes was on al
most every ones tongue in the city. The Presi-
dent Was shocked at the intelligence He could
scarcely believe it true, and, leaving his dinner
ran to the telegraph Office in the White House
to have it confirmed When he reached the
Office, which is located upstairs from the dining
room, the statement had been confirmed He
wrote message of coincidence to Mrs. Hen
bricks. and then called his coachman and di-
rected him to go to the residences of the mem
bers of the Cabinet and fetch them to him for a
special consultation. At o'clock there were
crowds of agitated people about the hotels, and
the death was discussed in all its possible bear
ngs.
Although shocked for en- instant, there was
not much surprise expressed at the announce
meut of the Vce-presidents sudden death by
some of his intimate personal Indiana friends
They apprehendcd a sudden termination of his
life. About six months ago State Senator r. c.
Bell, of Fort Wayne was here. For many years
he was one of Mr. Hendricks most intimate
personal friends, and has been with him at his
home, in Indianapolis, and in campaigns through
out the State. great deal. Speaking of Mr.
Hendricks's future, he said to the Journal
correspondent: HE will not live to the end of
the first year of his official lfe He is a com
plete physical wreck. Few know the extent of
his physical frailties and none who know will
acknowledge them You may see him fall dead
any day. Do not be surprised if he is suddenly
called while presiding over the Senate That
gangrene trouble has been taken to his brain,
absorbed by his blood, and carried all through
his entire system. He may die of softening of
tho brain, but predict it will be of apoplexy
or paralysis of the heart He is physically unfit
to occupy the position of Vce-president He
often falls into sleep when in conversation with
friends. and is liable to go to sleep in his chair
in the Senate, or during a lull in the proceedings
become seized by one of those mental abstrac-
tons which, at times, makes him completely
oblivious of what is going on about him. l
have often seen him go into doze when PAL tic
ipant in a very animated conversation. he looks
hearty enough but he knows be has no constiJu
ton, and that his lease on life is likely to be
foreclosed at any moment. There is not more
than one chance in three of his living out his
first year here, and not one in twenty that he
will complete his term of Vice president. They
talk about his being candidate in 1888. That
would be very desirable to his party, and would
be the height of his ambition. but he has no
hope of seeing that year"
In the crowds that thronged the telegraph
offices and hotels, Col. Hughes East, the Vice
presidents private secretary and devoted friend,
was early seen. He was seeking information
upon the allabsorbing topic, and was almost
Frustrated with grief. He stated that Mr.. Hen
bricks had lived in apprehension for several
years that he would soon be called by death, and
he feared his death would be sudden and by
some trouble of the heart. 1t was discovered,
few years ago, while Mr.. Hendricks was
at Hot Springs, that he was likely to
have apoplexy paralysis Colonel East
ceived this morning. a long letter touching upon
his public affairs here. He expected to reach
Washington about Sunday next, and inclosed a
number of letters from old Indiana friends who
sought Office. That same spirit of gratitude
which had characterized the whole political life
the Vice president was strongly evinced in this
letter. He stated that those whose applications
for Office he inciosed must be provided for, if
possible and that he would have to devote some
time in caring for them Immediately upon his
arrival here.
1t is a somewhat remarkable coincidence that
Vice-president Wilson died in similar way to
Mr.. Hendricks He came to Washington one
morning in June, 1876, drove at once to the Capt.
toll from railway station, got his breakfast at
the Senate restaurant and then took bath. AS
he was dressing he fell to the floor with stroke
of apoplexy. and was carried to the Vice-presi-
dents room where he died soon after.
Senator Edmunds was apprised of the death of
the Vice-president by an Associated Press report
er. and was greatly affected He said he
had known Mfr. Hendricks great
many years, and they were intimate
| friends in old times, in the Senate,
| and he added: II have always had a personal
regard for him. and regret exceedingly his death.
| shall call meeting tomorrow of the senators
| In the city, to make such arrangements to have
the Senate represented at the funeral as is
| proper"
Secretary Bayard said: ''The news of Mr.
Hendricks death is painful to us all but the
condition in which the American people are
placed by his death, through the failure of Con.
| greSS to pass proper laws regarding the vice.
presidential succession-the fact that there is
| but one mans lifes between the American
| people and no President, is more painful to con-
| template"
| Secretary Lamar said: my acquaintance
| with Mr.. Hendricks was not intimate: he had
| been for many years a great favorite in the
| South, and think he was regarded all over the
| country very safe, conservative man; man
of great dignity and force of character Although
| his death is very sudden, and a great shock to
N a have boar I'd hic
prehension to the condition of his health ever
since his attack, some years ago"
| Senator Voorhees, said: There is nothing
kind that can be said of Mr.. Hendricks that
would not be true. He was a man of stainless
lfe and great courage and ability. To say that
he was timid in politics, great mistake.
He was never in q position in his life
that he did not fill it His death