The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-03
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS,
Vice President of the United
States,
Expires Suddenly of Paralysis of the Heart
at Observation-Disclosures for the
Funeral-His Successor to be Elected
by the Senate.

INDIANAPOLIS IND, November 25.-Vice
President Thomas A. Hendricks died very |
suddenly at few minutes before o'clock |
this evening at his residence on North Ten
nessee street, this city. He returned from
Chicago on yesterday,where he had contract
ed a severe cold, but nothing serious was |
anticipated, either by his friends or his ply.
sician. Feeling great deal better in the |
evening, he and Mrs. Hendricks attended a
reception given by State Treasurer Cooper,
and to all appearances the Vice-President was
as well as usual. He complained two or three
times to intimate friends of feeling unwell,
but it was not until IL o'clock that he and
Mrs. Hendricks returned home. He rested
well during the night and arose as usual this
morning. After breakfast he felt worse, and
the family physician was summoned, and
Mr.. Hendricks insisted that calomel should
be administered to him. This the doctor de-
clined to do, saying that it always had
prostrating effect upon his system, and he
the morning gave an Injection. The
physician then left, but was shortly after
wards again called to the Hendricks resi-
dcnce. He found the patient suffering from
a severe chill, and it was more than an hour
before he was relieved. He was very much
go to bed, but was frequently sitting up.
During the day the patient evinced strong
desire to have Mrs. Hendricks always near
him, and when she left the room for mo-
ment he seemed troubled and anxious. He
appeared to be .apprehensive of some
ahPPn0aeas shan onee he requested M Mrs. Hem Hem
bricks not to leave him. The physician did
not apprehend any immediate danger, and
during his last visit in the afternoon he and
the Vice President talked freely about a
number of matters, and among them his
early departure for Washington City, where
A few minutes before o'clock the physi-
clan and Mr.. Hendricks were talking the
latter reclining on the bed when he said:
II am free at last
what do you mean2" asked the physi-
II mean am free from pain" was the an
The doctor then left the house and Mrs.
caller. This was the first time she had left
him during the day, as she had refused to see
anyone before. His assertion that he was
free from pain dispelled any uneasiness that
she had felt about his condition, and when
she left him it was with the assurance that she
would be absent but few moments. She was
delayed longer than she expected, and when
she returned to the room she found that MIR.
Hendricks was dead. The end of busy and
On his face there was no indication of pain
Or suffering, and his eyes were only half
closed, as # in gentle sleep. The relatives
OF the family were Immediately summond.
There was nobody in his room when he died,
and only Mrs; Hendricks, the servants and
most distracted with grief, and could not re-
strain her feelings enough to talk The house
was soon filed with anxious friends, while a
found necessary to refuse them admission.
The physicians in attendance believe that
death was caused by paralysis of the heart,
for had it been apoplexy there would have
been some indications of it in the appearance
of his face; He complained principally of
his stomach this morning. although there
was nervous twitching in the muscles of
his face. Announcement of the event was
received with incredulity by the public, but
when there could We no longer any doubt
concerning ii, much sorrow was expressed.
The bells were tolled and many evidences
were given of the peoples sorrow.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, November 26.-Hun-
dreds of kilograms of coincidence ere pouring
Union to Mrs. Hendricks on her sad bereave-
ment.
Mrs. Hendricks stayed in her room all day
and saw but a few people but the parlors
were received by her brother. Mr.. Stephen
w. Morgan, and his family. and DIR. Jenckes,
the rector o the church. She talked calmly
and composedly with her friends, only break
ing down with outburstS of grief once or
twice.
The body layin the parlor chamber up
stairs and few were permitted to see it. The
embalming process to which it was subjected
| this morning, had been successfully accom-
plished, and on the face there was u look of
| contentment and freedom from care. The
features are wonderfully natural and un-
marred by suggestion of ghastliness.
The General Committee selected at Mrs.
| Hendricks suggestion to arrange for the
evening, and appointed the necessary SUBJ
| committees to perfect all the arrangements.
Senator Benjamin Harrison called the meet
| ing to order, and on his motion Hon. VIM.
| H. English was chosen President.
| The funeral will take place at noon on Tues
day, the procession leaving the house at
| l:45 O'Clock for the church in the following
| order: