The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-02
Mr. HENDRICKS DEAD.
THE VICE PRESIDENTS SUDDEN END.
Dying of Paralysis Of the erain
while No one was Near and
After an illness Of but
a Few Hours.

United States, died very suddenly at
his residence in this city at 4:45
O'Clock this evening, under circum-
stances that were particularly dis
tressing tc his family and friends,
inasmuch as they had not anticipat-
ed a fatal termination of his brief
illness and nobody was with him
when the end came. He returned
from Chicago on Saturday last and
since then had been complaining
somewhat of a pain in his head and
breast, but nothing serious was
thought of it. Last night he and
Mrs. Hendricks attended reception
given at the residence of Hon. John
Cooper, Treasurer OF the State, re-
turning home in their carriage about
midnight. Mr.. Hendricks had TAX
en- off heavy clothing, which he u.s.
ually wore, and put on dress suit
of lighter material, and before they
got home he complained of chilli
ness and a certain degree of exhaus-
ton. but attributed it to malarial
influence. He sat by the fire foB an
hour or more before retiring, but de-
clined to send for a physician, al
though urged to do so. He slept
restlessly until about S o'clock this
morning, when he arose, dressed
himself, and ate quite a hearty
breakfast, saying that he felt much
better and would attend to consid,
cradle delayed business during the
day. He and Mrs. Hendricks walk.
ed out for nearly half an hour, and
he had apparently regained his
physical vigor and cheerfulness. An
hour later, however, he began to be
troubled with pains in the region o.
the stomach, and Mrs. Hendricks
sent for the family physician, DIR
w. c. Thompson, the lifelong con
fidential friend of the ViceaRresi'
dent. As the pains in his stomach
continued to increase he was given
an emetic and afterwards an injec
ton and relief came in a natura
way. He arose from his bed IL
which he had lain only few min.
utes and read the morning paper
talking cheerfully with his wife and
old house servant. Just before moor
he had a relapse, and the physician
was again summoned and admins
tered the usual remedies beside!
bleeding the patient, and Mr.. Hen
bricks again expressed himself a
being greatly relieved. He remain
ed in his room all afternoon, occa
sionally rising from his bed,to which
he was compelled to return by g. re
currence OF the abdominal pains
| To all callers who came, and the,
were numerous, he sent word tina
he was indisposed, but would b
glad to see them tomorrow afteI
noon about 4:30 o'clock. Mrs. Hen
bricks, who had been at his bedsid
all day, went down into the parlo
to see a caller who had come to con
suit her regarding the affairs of som
reformatory institution of which sh
is one of the managers, and she re
mained with him about twenty mir
utes. Tom, colored servant, an
Harry Morgan Hendricks, nephe'
and page in Washington, RENAME
with him. The servant went OF
and Morgan stayed. Mr.. Hendricks
tossed uneasily in his bed and con
planned of great pain, but suddenl.
it seemed to cease and he said
his nephew Il am free at las
Send for Eliza" meaning his wifi
and these were his last words, 70
the young man not realizing tn
urgency of the message did not d'
liver it at once. Just before fiv
, O'Clock she came into the room an
found that her husband was deaC
The end of a long and eventful lii
had come peacefully and quietl,
He lay in bed outside of the cover
ing, only partially disrobed, wit
: his eyes half closed as ii be were i
gentle sleep. On his face ther
were no traces of pain or suffering
but the pallor had come over it ths
indicated only too plainly that b
had passed away. 1t needed n
close examination to tell that he wa
dead, and Mrs. Hendricks screame,
and ran down stairs. 4 servant wa
dispatched to the residence of Dl
Thompson, adjoining, who came i'm
mediately, but by the time he ha'
reached his bedside the limbs of til
distinguished dead man were be
coming cold and rigid, and 10 Mrs
Hendricks pathetic appeal, "Oh
doctor, can't you do something ?" b
was obliged to answer, 1t is to-
late"
When the news was bulletinel
down town it was generally discred
tied, yet in very few moments I
hundred or more of Mr.. Hendricks
close political and personal friends
had hurried to the house. Very soor
a great crowd had collected around
the entrance and on the street, anC
it was found necessary to refuse ad
mittance to any and all corners ex
cept immediate relatives. Doctor
Thompson says that in his opinion
Mr.. Hendricks died of paralysis O
the brain, and there will probably
be a post mortem examination tc
show what the disease was. Fol
several years Mr.. Hendricks had nor
been 6 robust pan and was subject
to frequent bad spells," as he called
them, during which he would bt
prostrated for days at a time. About
two years ago he was confined to hi:
room for several weeks by gangren.
ous affection of the foot, which a,
that time vas feared would result
in blood poisoning, and it was ther
thought that the end of his life was
near at hand, but he apparently re-
covered entirely from this and was
in his usual health. Hendricks had
been dead but a few minutes when
forces Of men began draping the
State, county and city buildings
and throughout the night similar
emblems were placed on nearly all
the prominent business places and
residences SO that by morning the
city sill hsve put on a general garb
of mourning.