Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-11-27
A NATIONAL LOSS.
SUDDEN DEATH OF VICE PRESI-
DENT HENDRIOKS.
The DISTINGUISHED Statesman Died
at His House in Indianapolis Of
Paralyses of the Brain--A Nation
Paying Tribute to His Memory.

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 25-Hon. I. A.
Hendricks, ,vice-president Of the United
States, died very suddenly at his resi-
dence in this city at 4:45 o'clock this
evening, g,under circumstances that were
particularly distressing to his family
and friends, insomuch as they had not
anticipated fatal termination Of his
brief illness, and nobody was with him
when the end came. He returned
from Chicago last Saturday, and since
then had been complaining somewhat
of pain in his head and breast,
but nothing serious was thought
of it. Last night he and Mrs. Hen
bricks attended a reception given at
the residence Of Hon John j. Cooper
treasurer of State. Returning home
in their carriage about midnight Mr..
Hendricks had taken off the heavy
clothing which he usually wore and
put ON a dress suit Of lighter material,
and before he got home he complained
of chilliness and a certain degree Of
exhaustion, but attributed it to
malarial influences. He sat by the
fire for an hour or more before retir-
ing, but declined to send for
physician. although urged to do so. He
slept restlessly until about 8 o'clock
this morning, when he arose, dressed
himself end ate quite hearty breakfast
saying that ne felt much better and
intended to attend to considerable
delayed business during the day He
and Mrs. Hendricks walked out for
nearly half an hour, and he had
apparently regained his physical vigor
and cheerfulness. An hour later,
however, he began to betroubled with
pains in the region of his stomach, and
Mrs. Hendricks sent for the family ply
sician, DIR. w. G. Thompson. life long
and confidential friend of the vice
president AS the pains in the
stomach continued to increase, he was
given an emetic and afterwards an
injection, which gave him great relief.
: He arose from his bed in which he had
lain only few minutes, and read the
morning papers, talking cheerfully
with his wife and an old house servant.
Just before noon he had relapse,
however, and the physician was again
summoned and administered the usual
remedies, besides bleeding the patient
and Mr.. Hendricks again expressed
himself being greatly relieved. He
remained Ia his room all the afternoon;
occasionally rising from his bed. to
which he was compelled to return by
the recurrence of the abdominal pains.
70 all callers who come, and they were
numerous, he sent word that he was
indisposed but would be glad to see
them tomorrow. About 4:30 o'clock
Mrs. Hendricks, who had been at his
bedside all day, went down into the
parlOr to see caller who had come
to consult with her regard
ing the affairs of a reformatory
institution in which she was
one of the managers, and she remained
with him about twenty minutes. Tom,
a colored servant, and Henry Morgan,
Mr.. Hendricks nephew and page in
Washington, remained with him. The
servant went out and Mr.. Morgan
stayed. Mr.. Hendricks tossed uneasily
in his bed and complained of great
pain, but suddenly it seemed to cease,
and he said to his nephew II am free
at last, send for Eliza," meaning his
wife, and these were his last words,
for the young man. not realizing the
urgency Of the message, did not deliver
it at once. just before o'clock
Mrs. Hendricks came into the room
and found that her husband was dead.
The end of long and tventful life
had come peacefully and quietly. He
lay in the bed OUTSIDE of the covering,
only partially disrobed, with his eyes
half closed as if he were in quiet
sleep. On his face there were no traces
Of pain or suffering. but a pallor had
come over it, that indicated only too
plainly that he had passed away. 1t
needed no close examination to tell that
he was dead, and Mrs. Hendricks
screamed and ran down stairs. A
servant was dispatched to the resi-
dence of DIR. Thompson, adjoining, and
he came Immediately, but by the time
he reached the beside, the limbs Of
the distinguished dead man were
becoming cold and rigid, and to Mrs.
Hendricks pathetic appeal, "Oh !!
Doctor, can't you do something" he
was obliged to answer. alt is too
late"
Mrs. Hendricks became almost dis
tracted with grief, and it was an hour
or more before she became
sufficiently composed to give any
information about her husbands last
moments. The family servants, two
of whom had llived with them for
years, ran about the house crying and
moaning and there was the utmost
confusion for time.
When the news was bulletined down
town it was generally discredited, and
in very few minutes a hundred or
more Of Mr.. Hendricks close political
and personal friends had hurried to the
house. Very soon great crowd
collected around the entrance on the
street, and it was found necessary to