Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1885-12-10
WE MOURN AGAIN.
Sudden Death Of vice-President
Thomas A. Hendricks.
The Last Hours of the Eminent States
man ana General Grief at His De-
mlse--The Cause of His Death
Executive Action.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, November 26.-
vice-President Hendricks died very sud-
denly and Unexpectedly at his residence
on North Tennessee street in this city at
five O'Clock last evening. The demise of
our illustrious citizen was so unlocked
for that the city was shocked at its oc-
currence, and the most of our people
were 10th to believe it until it was bull
letined from the newspaper Offices and
| confirmed by personal visits to the house.
The stricken wife was visited by her i'm
mediate friends, but such was the shock
to her nerves that it was with the greatest
difficulty that she could talk upon the SUBJ
ject atal The city is in mourning, and the
great heart of Indiana is bleeding over
the remains of her distinguished son.
Mr.. Hendricks returned from Chicago
on Monday suffering from very severe
cold, and complained Of pains in his head
and breast, but his condition was not such
as to awaken fears for his safety. DR..
Thompson, the family physician, was
called, and the patient insisted upon calo-
mel being administered to him. This the
physician refused to do, owing to the
prostrating effects which the drug always
produced upon Mr.. Hendricks, but he
gave him an emetic, and later in the day
| an injection. Tuesday night the Vice.
President had so much improved that
he and Mrs. Hendricks at
tended a reception at the residence
of State Treasurer Cooper. Mr.. Hen
bricks usually wears heavy clothing, but
Tuesday night he took this off and donned
a dress suit Of lighter material. They
returned home little before twelve
O'Clock. During the entertainment Mr..
Hendricks was in personal appearance as
well as usual, and none, save few, to
whom he spoke about the matter, sup
posed that he was suffering pain. He
complained to one or two, however, that
he was feeling unwell, but did not ex-
press any apprehension of fatal conse-
1uences.
He slept well during the night and
arose yesterday morning apparently re-
freshed and feeling better. An hour or
two later he was taken with rigor, and,
despite the efforts of the attending physi-
clan, the force of the chill remained I'M
broken for quite an hour, and was accom-
panied with pains in the stomach. DR..
Thompson gave him an emetic and an
injection, which brought relief. He arose
from his bed, in which he had lain
only few minutes and read
the morning papers, talking cheer
fully with his wife and an old servant.
He was seriously Frustrated, but the doc
tor was not apprehensive of danger, and
he engaged in conversation with the pa
tient on several subjects, among which
was the Vice-President's expected depart
ure for Washington and the resumption
of his duties as President of the Senate.
Mr.. Hendricks, however, appeared to be
oppressed by his sickness, and was very
Solicitous that Mrs. Hendricks Should be
always near him.
If she left the room for moment he
inquired concerning her and appeared i'll
at ease until she re-entered the room.
When this disposition was developed Mrs.
Hendricks continued by his side, and was
present during the visit of the physicians.
Just before noon he had relapse, and
the physicians were again summoned and
administered the usual remedies, beside
bleeding the patient, and Mr. Hendricks
again expressed himself as being greatly
relieved. He remained in his room all the
afternoon, occasionally rising from his
bed, to which he was compelled to return
by the recurrence of the abdominal pains.
To all callers who came, and they were
numerous, he sent word that he was in.
disposed, but would be glad to see them
tomorrow.
About 1880 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 reforinatory institute, OF
which she was one of the managers, and
she remained with him ahont twenty
minutes. Tom, colored servant, and
Harry Morgan, Mr.. Hendricks nephew
and page in Washington, remained with
him. The servant went out and Mr.
Morgan remained. Mr.. Hendricks tossed
uneasily In his bed and complained Of
great pain, but suddenly it seemed to
cease, and he said to his nephew: al am
free at last; send for Eliza" meaning his
wife, and these were his last words, fol
the young man left the room and no,
realizing the urgency of the message die
not deliver 1t at once.
Just before five O'Clock Mrs. Hendricks
came into the room and found that hel
husband was dead. He died alone. The
end of long and eventful life had come
peacefully and quietly. He lay in the
bed, outside of the covering, only par.
TALLY disrobed, with his eyes half closed
as If he were in cheerful sleep. On his
face there were no traces of pain or sui
fering, but pallor had come over it thai
indicated only too plainly that he hat
passed away. 1t needed no close exam,
nation to tell that he was dead, and Mrs
Hendricks screamed and ran down stairs
A servant was dispatched to thu
residence of DIR. Thompson adjoining
and he came Immediately, but by TIL
time he had reached the bedside tn,
limbs of the distinguished dead MAJ
were becoming cold and rigid, and tt
Mrs. Hendricks pathetic appeal, ooh
Doctor, can'tyou do something?" he wa
obliged to answer, at is too late"
Mrs. Hendricks became almost dis
tracted with grief, and it was an hour o
more before she became sufficiently com
posed to give any information about he
husbands last moments. The family serv
ants, two of whom had lived with then
for years, ran about the house crying an
moaning, and there was the utmost con
: fusion for time.
When the news was bulletined dow
town, it was generally discredited, an
in very few minutes hundred or NOR
Of Mr.. Hendricks close political and per
sonal friends had hurried to the house
Very soon great crowd collected aroun
the entrance and on the street, and it wa
} found necessary to refuse admission +
any and all corners except the immediat
relatives.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
| DR.. Thompson says that in his opinio
, SIR. Hendricks died of paralysis of th
brain, and there viii probably be pos