Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-12-03


pated to so apparently Slight an
Illness.
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 25.-Thomas
A. Hendricks, Vice-Pres ident of the
United States, died very suddenly at
his residence in this city at 4.45 O'Clock
this evening, under circumstances that
were particularly distressing to his
family and friends, inasmuch as they
had not anticipated fatal termination
of his brief illness and nobody was with
him when the end came. lie returned
from Chicago on Saturday last and
since then had been complaining some
what of pain in his head aud breast,
but nothing serious was thought of it.
Last night he and Mrs. Hendricks
attended reception given at the resi-
dence of Hon. John Cooper, Treasurer
of the State, returning home in their
carriage about midnight. Hendricks
had taken off heavy clothing, which he
usually wore, and put on suit of
lighter material. land before he got home
he complained of chiliness and GER
tain degree of exhaustion, but attri-
butei it to malarial influence. He sat
by the fire for an hour or more before
retiring, but declined to send for phy-
sician, although urged to do so. He
slept restlessly until about S o'clock
this morning, when he arose, dressed
himself and ate quite hearty break
fast, saying that he felt much better
and would attend to considerable delay
ed business during the day. He and
Mrs. Hendricks walked out for nearly
half an hour, and he had apparently
regained his physical vigor and cheer
fulneSs. An huor later, however, he
began,to be troubled with pains in the
region of his stomach, and Mrs. Hen
bricks sent for the family physician,
DIR. VIC. Thompson, the lifelong
confidential FREUD of the Vice-Presi-
dent. AS the pains in his stomach
continued to increase he was given an
emetic and afterwards an injection and
relief came in natural way. He arose
from his bed in which he had lain only
few minutes anI read the morning
paper, talking cheerfully with his wife
and old house servant. Just before
noon he had a relapse, however, and the
physician was again summoned and
administered the usual remedies besides
bleeding the patient, and Mr.. Hen
bricks again expressed himself as being
greatly relieved. He remained in his
room all afternoon, occasionally rising
from his bed to which he was compelled
to return by recurrence of abdominal
pains. To all callers who came, and
they were numerous, he sent word that
he was indisposed, but would be glad
to see them tomorrow afternoon about
4.3O 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 regarding the
affairs of a reformatory institution OF
which she was one Of the managers,
and she remained with him about
twenty minutes. Tom, colored ser.
want, and Harry Morgan Hendricks, a
nephew and page in Washington,
remained with him. The servant went
out and Morgan stayed. Mr.. Hen
bricks tossed uneasily in his bed and
complained of great pain, but sudden
ly it seemed to cease and he said to his
nephew: "I am free at last. Send fol
Eliza" meaning his wife, and these
were his last words, for the yonng
man not realizing the urgency Of the
message did not deliver it at once
Just before five O'Clock Mrs. Hen.
dricks came into the room and found
that her husband was dead. The end
of long and eventual life had come
peacefully and quietly. He lay in bee
outside of the covering, only partially
disrobed, with his eyes half closed as i
he were in a gentle sleep. On his fac,
there were no traces of pain or suffer
| ing, but the pallor had come over i
that indicated only too plainly that h
had passed away. 1t needed no clos
examination to tell that lie was dead
and Mrs. Hendricks screamed and raj
down stairs. A servant Was dispatche
to the residence of DR.. Thompson, ad
joining, and he came Immediately, bu
by the time he had reached his bedsid