The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-26
INTERVIEWS AND ESTIMATES.
The Views of Mr.. Hendricks's ConteInpora-
ries Touching His Life aud Character.


ries Touching His Life aud Character.
Among the more prominent of the leaders Of
both the political parties. we'll the MEM
bers of the bar. and others who had been asso-
ciated with Mr.. Hendricks, either politically,
professionally or socially, the announcement Of
his sudden death was a great shock. Repre-
sentatves of the Journal called upon many of
them. with the following result:
Senator Harrison-I have known Mr.. Hen
bricks ever since came to this city to live T
have practiced law with him, tried many cases
with him, and against him. and our professional
relations have always been pleasant He was
very forceful and persuasive advocate His
public career has been a very conspicuous one.
He has succeeded in acquiring and retaining the
confidence of his party friends in very high de-
gree His personal character was always re-
garded as exalted and blameless. His death
was very severe shock to me, indeed.
William H. Engish-The last speech he ever
made was made at the reunion of the surviving
members of the Indiana Constitutional Conven.
tion of 1850, on the night of the 5th of October
last. He took very great interest in the meet.
ing, and his address on that occasion was evil
IDENTIFY very thoroughly prepared production.
He supervis ed its publication with great care,
and was taking much interest in the contem-
plated publication of the lives of the members
of that convention. I had been in
conference with him in reference to the
sketch of his own life and he had that
subject under consideration this very day. and
sent me message in relation to it, and returning
journal of the debates of the convention which
he had borrowed Of me. This was probably the
last line he ever wrote He conferred very
freely with me in regard to the contemplated
book and the sketch of his own life, and had
even indicated what plate he preferred of the
various likenesses of himself that have been
published
do not think he was thought to be seriously
i'll, or that he himself thought so. For long
time Mr. Hendricks and myself were tho only
survivors of the delegation that represented
Indiana in the United States Senate and House
of Representatives of 1852; now l am the sole
survivor
w. H. H. Miller-The DEATH of course, was
great shock to everybody, as it was
known that he was in excellent spirits
and was thought to be. in the best of health.
Since his recovery, two years ago. it was
believed and hoped that he had a good
hold upon life. My acquaintance with him
began about 1868, since which time | have pro-
fessonally, known him we'll He was always
pleasant associate or antagonist; always courte-
ous and yet always insisting upon all the rights
of his client. think was against him in the
last jury that he tried prior to MS attack of
sickness, supposed to be gangrene, two years
ago. After his recovery from that attack he
did but little professional business. He was
at times one of the most formidable men before
jury that ever saw, being, perhaps more un-
equal in his efforts than most lawyers 1t can
safely be said of him, professionally and polit-
ically, that his life has been decided success
and he has been as fortunate in the matter of
his death as in his life, for when mans time
comes it is boon to have life end without a
struggle
Senator Mcdonald was found at his residence
by reporter, and in speaking of the death of
Mr. Hendricks, he said:
"The death of Mr.. Hendricks leaves most
perceptible void in the political and social cir
cles in the State. Ever since he became a mem
ber of the constitutional convention of
1850 he has been actively in public
life and few men have made more numerous or
more enduring friendships during public service
than he. No man of his day has occupied a
more honorable or conspicuous postion in the
party in the State and Nation than Mr. Hen.
drieks. Nothing can be said of his public life
that is not commendatory or to his
discredt. He performed the duties of
eyfsy wiS sspal paO1 s1,t1 Office he sa. ever held
party and the people. Few public men have
had their official conduct less criticized. Mr..
Hendricks is fairly entitled to the goodiname he
has wrought out for himself in his public and
private life; and, as l said his death leaves
void in the political and social circles of Indiana
that cannot be readily filled. He was fair
lawyer, but better advocate, and when in full
practice was what you might call strong man
at the bar.
''Mr. Hendricks was senator from Indiana from
March a, 1863 for the succeeding six years, and
he certainly made an excellent record as a mem
ber of that body. The personal relations be-
tween Mr.. Hendricks and myself have never
been otherwise than pleasant. / met him for
the last time on last Saturday afternoon, at the
Office of the State Auditor. He seemed to be in
good spirits, but his physical condition did not
appear to me to be of the best. Our converse
ton was of a general character. He spoke about
his coming trip to Washington to enter upon the
duties of his Office l had thought then but
that should see him again.
Governor Gray-I have been absent from the
city since Monday morning on visit to the
southern prison, and returned home this even
ing at half past o'clock, l first learned OF the
death of Mr.; Hendricks on my way home, at
Columbus. 1t was SO unexpected could scarce
Is believe it. He has been regarded by mis-
friends as enjoying remarkably good health for
the past year. His death will cause
profound. sorrow everywhere. He was a
man who was idolized by his party
and profoundly respected by the people, without
regard to political proclivities. l always looked
upon him as pure and upright man, honest in
his private dealings. and incorruptible pub
lic officer AS public man. he was very con-
scientious in the discharge of mis- duties l do
not believe there has died citizen of Indiana
since tho formation of the State whose death
created more profound impression, more
universal regret than will follow that OF Vice.
president Hendricks. l regarded him gen.
tleman of extraordinary force of character, and .
without peer in Indiana in ability as o lawyer
and a statesman.
called at his residence Immediately after my
arrival home, this evening, but did not see Mrs
Hendricks as was informed that she was over.
whelmed with sorrow and distress. will issue
q proclamation as soon as the time of the funeral
is fixed. 1t will probably be issued to morrow.
Abram w. Hendricks am so shocked and
dazed that can say little or nothing. Mr.. Hen