Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-05
Ex-senator Gwin's Remarkable Vitality
Particulars of His Death.

Ex-senator Gwin's Remarkable Vitality
Particulars of His Death.
New YORK, September 4th.-The Tribune
says Ex-senator Gwin, of California,
who had been sick for week at the New
York Hotel, was thought to be getting bet
ter until night before last At noon yester-
day he died, having lived within one
month of eighty years. His son, ex-State
Senator Gwin, has been on the way from
California since Monday Owing to the
assurance of the ex-senator speedy recov-
cry telegraphed TO Mrs Gwin at San Fran
cisco, she made no effort to reach her hus-
band before his death. Last evening his
body lay practically in state at the hotel
A number of old friends from the South
and West who had been more or less
associated with him politically, in years
gone by, passed by the coffin 10 take last
look at his face, and conversed upon the
remarkable career of the Californian On
the coffin lay large wreath of flowers. the
gift OF neal friend Senator Gwin had
been spending the summer at West Point
and Washington. About "A week ago he
was attacked with the dysentery. which
caused his death. For some time he has
been on intimate terms with Senator Call,
OF Florida, and he and his family cared for
the ex-senator during his sickness.
HIS CLOSING HOURS.
Ex-senator Gwin's closing hours were a
remarkable illustration OF the strong will
power and vitality which characterized his
whole life. The evening papers last night
announced his condition only a little
worse, when he had been four hours dead.
Your reporter was informed when he last
called at the City Hotel that Gwins condi-
ton was no worse. Senator Call, of Flori-
da, who has been with Gwin throughout
his illness, said this morning "Gwin was
an early friend Of mine in Tennessee. We
were together at West Point this summer.
Two weeks ago yesterday we came to New
York. For one night Gwin complained of
a slight pain i'll his bowels; otherwise he
was in stalWart, robust health, and went
back to West Point, where his sickness
continued. DR.. Chase was called in and
gave him few simple remedies for the
dysentery, which seemed TO check the
disease, but he did not grow better His
old friend, DR.. Isaac A. Taylor, came, and
litter examining him ordered his return TO
New York, and, if possible, to San Fran
'cisco. We brought Gwin carefully to the
city. He even seemed prepared for the
journey. He would not hear of our
telegraphing to his friends, saying that he
would be about in few days Saturday
and Sunday Gwin grew weaker. Dr. Tavlor
cdlieu III Ut. tunlef, ana they prescribed
for him. Up to his death at no time was
his mind cl0uded. He was cheerful, patient
and accomplishing. His food consisted
solely of milk, and occasionally brandy.
He had an insatiate desire for ice Shortly
after II o'clock yesterday Mr. Coleman,
myself and nurse were seated in the sick
room. Gwin dictated telegram to be sent
to his son, in which he expressed the ut
most confidence in hls speedy recovery.
SuddeAly he, became unconscious, and tie
nurse ran for the doctor. The Duke did
not speak a word OF utter q sound, but
passed away peacefully as the slumber of a
child. We could hardly believe he was
dead