New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-02

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"A SHOCK TO THE NATION.
1MD1AEAPo11s Ind Nov. 25.-Hon Thomas
a Hendricks, vice president 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 dis
itressing to his family and friends, inasmuch
as they had not anticipated fatal termina-
ton of his brief illness, and nobody was with
him when the end came. He returned from
Chicago last Saturday, and since then had
been complaining somewhat of pain in his
head and breast, but nothing serious was
thought of it. Last night he and Mrs. Hen
bricks attended a reception given at the res
tdence of Hon. John J. Cooper. state treas
urer, returning home in their carriage about
midnight Mr.. Hendricks had taken off the
heavy clothing which he usually wore and
put on a dress suit of lighter material. and
before he got home he complained of chilli
ness and certain degree of exhaustion, but
attributed 1t to malarial influences He sat
by the fire for an hour or more before retir-
ing, but declined to send for physician,
although urged to do So He slept restlessly
until about 8 o'clock this morning, when he
arose. dressed himself, and ate quite
hearty breakfast, saying he felt much better
and intended to attend to considerable de-
layed business during the day. He and Mrs
Hendricks walked out for nearly half an
hour, and he apparently
RECLAIMED HIS PHYSICAL v1GoR
and cheerfulness. An hour later, however,
he began to be troubled with pains in the
region of his stomach. and Mrs Hendricks
sent for the family physician, DR.. W. c.
Thompson, lifelong and confidential
friend of the vice president AS the pains in
the stomach continued to increase, he was
given an emetic and afterward an injection,
and relief came in the natural way. He arose
from his bed In which he had lain only few
ng oheerfully with his wife and an old house
servant Just before neon he had relapse,
however, and the physician was again
summoned and administered the usual
remedies, beside bleeding the patient,
and Mr.. Hendricks again expressed himself
rs being greatly relieved He remained in
his room all the afternoon, occasionally
rising from his bed. to which he was COM
PEELED to return by the recurrence of the
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. About 4:3O o'clock Mrs Hen
bricks, 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 reformatory institution, of
which she was one of the managers, and she
remained with him about twenty minutes
Tom, colored servant, and Harry Morgan,
Mr.. Hendricks nephew, and page in Wash
lngton. remained with him The servant
went out and Mr.. Morgan staid Mr. Hen
bricks tossed uneasily in his bed and COM
planned of great pain, but suddenly it
seemed to cease, and he said to his nephew,
Il 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 O'clock Mrs Hendricks came
into the room and found that her husband
was dead The end of a long and eventful
life had come peacefully and quietly. He
lay on the bed outside of the covering, only
partly disrobed, with his eyes half open as il
races of pain, but pallor had come over it
that indicated only too plainly that he had
passed away. 1t needed no close examina-
lion to tell that he was dead, and Mrs Hen.
tricks screamed and ran down stairs
servant was dispatched to the resi-
dence of DR.. Thompson, adjoining, and
he came Immediately, but by the
time he had reached the bedside, the
limbs of the distinguished dead man
were becoming cold and rigid, and to Mrs
Hendricks pathetic appeal, sob, doctor,
can't you do something?" he was obliged to
answer: sit is too late" Mrs Hendricks
became almost distracted with grief, and it
was an hour or more before she became
sufficiently composed to give any infcrma-
ton about her husbands last moments. The
family servants, two of whom had lived
with them for years. ran about the house
crying and moaning, and there was the
utmost confusion for time When tile
news was bulietined down town it was gen
orally discredited and in very few minutes
hundred or more Of Mr.. Hendricks close
political and personal friends had hurried to
the house Very soon
A GREAT Crowd COLLECTED
around the entrance on the street, and it
was found necessary to refuse admission to
all Corners except the immediate relatives
Mr. Hendricks died in his private chamber,
O large. comfortable room in which he did
the most of his work. Near his bedside was
case containing legal and political works,
and on his desk were his papers, memoranda
and la ge number Of letters which had
been allowed to accumulate without an
swering for the last two or three days His
dressing gown and slippers were at his bed
side, and near by was small stand on
which were various medicines and goblst
of water. Portraits, landscapes and bric-a-
brac adorned the walls Of the room, and
were in striking contrast with the sad
scene within DR. Thompson Gays that,