Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-02
THE NATIONS LOSS!
Death of ce-President ThOs. A. Hendricks.

The people of the United States were
startled and shocked on the afternoon of
Wednesday, Nov. 25th, as the wires flashed
the news of the sudden and nnexpect-
ed death of Vice-President, Thomas
A. Hendricks, of Indiana, which oc-
CURED at about o'clock that afternoon
at his residence in Indianapolis. The ma
ton is now in mourning-the flags are at
halfmast wherever the U. s. flag floats,
and all the public buildings throughout the
country are draped in the sable habili-
ments of VICE." A great and good man
has suddenly fallen, and the whole country
feels the shock.
He had been complaining of being I'M
we'll for day or two but he was not con-
sidered seriously sick. A dispatch from
Indianapolis of that night says =
'He remainded in his room all the after
noon, occasionally rising from his bed, to
which he was compelled to return by the
recurrence of the abdominal palms, To all
callers who came and they were numerous,
he sent word that he was indisposed, but
would be glad to see them tomorrow.
About 80 o'clock Mrs. Hendricks, who had
been at his bedside all day, went down into
the parlor to see a caller who had come to
consult with her regarding the affairs of
reformatory institution of which she was
one of the managers, and she remainded
with him about twenty minutes.
''I AM FREE AT LAsT.',
Tom, a colored servant, and Harry Nor
gan, Mr.. Hendricks's 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 sudden
ly 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 five clock Mrs. Hen
bricks came into the room and found that
her husband was dead.
The END OF AN EVENTUAL LIFE
The end of long and eventful life had
come peacefully and quietly. He lay in
the bed outside of the covering, only parti-
ally disrobed, with his eyes half closed, as
if he were in gentle sleep. On his face
there were no traces of pain or suffering,
but 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 residence
of DR.. Thompson, adjoining, and he came
Immediately, but by the time he had reach
ed the bedside the limbs OF the distinguished
dead man were becoming cold and rigid,
and to Mrs. Hendricks's pathetic appeal,
ooh, Doctor, can't you do something's" he
was obliged to answer, ssItis too late" Mrs.
Hendricks became almost distracted with
grief, and it was an hour or more before
she became sufficiently composed to give
any information about her husband S last
moments. The family servants, two of
whom had lived with Mr.. Hendricks for
years, ran about the house crying and moan
ing, and there was the utmost confusion
for time.
PUBLIC SYMPATHY.
When the news was bulletined down town
it was generally discredited. Yet in very
few minutes hundred Or more of Mr..
Hendricks close political and personal
friends had hurried to the house. Very
soon great crowd collected around the
entrance and on the street, and it was found
necessary to refuse admission to any and all
corners except the immediate relatives.
Mr.. Hendricks died in his private cham
Der, large, comfortable room, in which he
did the most of his work. Near his bed
side was case containing legal and polit-
ical works, and on his desk were his papers,
memoranda, and large number of let
tiers, which had been allowed to accumulate
without answering i'll the last two or three
days. His dressing gown and slippers were
at his bedside, and near by was small
stand, on which we're various medicines
and goblet of water. Portraits, land
scapes and bric-a-brac adorned the walls
of the room, and were in striking contrast
with the sad scene.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
DR.. Thompson says that in his opinion
Mr.. Hendricks died of paralysis of the
heart, and there will probably be post
mortem examination to establish what the
disease was. For several years Mr.. Hen
bricks had not been a robust man, and was
subject to frequent "bad SPELLS" as he
called them, during which he would be
Frustrated sometimes for days at time"
Mr.. Hendricks was man of ability, and
was an earnest Democrat, having tho cour-
age of his convictions. He was disciple
of Jefferson and jackson and was Dem
ocrat of the Democrats. He was bold and
frank in the expression of his opinions, and
relied with confidence on the good sense
and patriotism of the people to which he
always addressed himself. He was in
public life for thirty years, during which he
had filled the highest positions of honor
and trust in his State, and all but the very
highest in the United States and in all his
record was without strain. He was an
honest man, and was incorruptible, and
had the respect of his political opponents
whilst he had the confidence and affection
of political friends.
In social life, as the N. Y. San says, he
twas diginiied, kindly, cordial unaffected
and generous. His sympathies were never
denied to any deserving cause, or to any
young man ambitious of usefulness and
honor. Happy in his home, beloved by his
fellow-citizens, his life was enviable; and
though he did not fulfil all the days that
his friends wished and hoped for him, his
death, too, was enviable. He rests from
his labors, and the sorrow and affectionate
esteem of the whole country follow, him to
the tomb"
ACTION OF THE CABINET AND PRESIDENT.
The Cabinet meeting Wednesday night,
Nov. Goth, was attended by all the members
except Secretary Manning and Attorney
General Garland 1t was decided that the
President and members of the Cabinet
should attend the funeral of the Vice Presi
dent. When the Cabinet adjourned, the
President issued the following
"ExECUTIvE MANSION,
"WAsHINGToN, D. c.,
November IS, 1885.
"To the People Of the United States:
s'Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice-President
of the United States, died to-day at o.
clock P. NJ, at Indianapolis, and it becomes
my mournful duty to announce the distress