The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-12-03
THE WEEK.
In the United States and the
Old World.
DEATH OF The VlCE-PRESlDENT.

Wednesday, November 25th. The facts in
connection with tho death OF the Vice.Presi-
dent are few and brief, for he died alone in
his bedroom, whore his devoted wife had spent
most Of the day in company with him. The
week before his death they had visited Chicago
in company with friends, returning homo
Thursday morning He was not feeling well,
but was about his business as usual until We'd
nesday when no kept his room, being troubled
with pains in his stomach. The family physi-
elan, DR. w. G. Thompson, who also served
Senator Morton in the same capacity, was
called and pie'cribed for him, but up to the
last nothing serious was feared, Dur ng the
day, Mr.. Hendricks excused himself to callers,
and Mrs, Hendricks did not leave him. Shortly
before o'clock, however. she was called down
stairs to receive II lady visitor who detained
her but a short time, When she returned, her
husband appeared TO have fallen asleep, so
peaceful was his appearance. That he was
dead was known ON the streets before Ms.
Hendricks fully recognized her great loss
servrnt coming into the room in.tinctively
OWNED that tho great calamity had fallen upon
the household before Mrs. Hendricks spoke,
Tho hmily relatives and intimate friends were
summoned, AMI the bereaved widow received
the tender mnistrations she so much needed
at their hands. Mrs Hendricks is q woman
OF great force OF character, and in her his
bands public career has been his guide, coun-
scllor and friend. The great shock almost
oveIcame her, but later III the evening she
rallied and relieved the suspense and fears OF
friends.
Dr. Thompson made his last call about 4.SO
p. m. While in the room, Mr. Hendricks re.
marked: "Wel, I'm Tree at last"
'What do you mean? asked the doctor
81 mean that at last I'm tres of pain, was
the response.
This assurance relieved both his wife and
1aEtt l,.r
he TO leave the house and she to entertain her
caller. These were the last words OF the Vice
President.
An intimate friend of the family, with whom
Gov. and Mis-. Hendricks spent much OF their
time in the past six months, sal "The Cover
nor has had premonition OF his end for
several years. lie died of paralysis of the
heart, and it manifested itself first about the
time he recovered from The attack in his toe
in 1882 when he was supposed to be suffering
ilon sonilc gangrcne There was slight
numbncss in his lett hand and side, accom-
panied by sharp pains in the abdominal region
and he suffered at times greatly from these
pains During the summer he was not at all
strong bat he never complained. He was
tender, almost sentimental, in his devotion to
Mis- Hendricks his one thought apparently
being 10 save her from all possible exeltlon
and anxiety. That the end might come at any
time they both felt, and occasionally spoke of
it. TIE Governor said on these occasions, il
it were necessary for him to 60, lie wanted to
20 quickly. Well, lie has had his prayer The
manifestations Of trouble increased within the
past few weeks, and their tender solicitudo
for zach others welfare deepened. Mr..
Hendricks co ID not bear to be out OF the
sight CT lis VILE for he did not know but that
the end would come at a"y onent, and he
wanted to be near her constantly. He even
accom-, aned her about the city while in Chi
cagolu last week that lie might be with her.
They +, turned last Thursday, and since COMM.
home the syn ptoms apparently increased IN
force. AT noon wednesday called and found
the Governor indi>posed. Mrs. Hendricks
told me he was suffering from one Of his acute
attacks. That was what sho called them.
you do not fear anything" l asked. Not at
all now, she nnsweIel Promising to return
at o'clo k, left her, On my way back to
the house at that hour, the news of his death
met me, but could scarcely believe it. l
found Mrs. Hendricks Frustrated with grief and
the shock that The appalling discovery was to
her She is a woman CT much decision of
character, and she will doubtless bear up under
the great trial il q manner worthy OF her."
Vice President Hendricks last message was
to Hon W. II Lnglish, sent about Wednesday
neon. The lat public appearance OF Mr..
Hendricks was on the occasion Of the recent
reunion Of the survivors of the state
Institutional convention of lS50-5l in
this city, when he made one OF the
principal addresses "a review OF tho work
OF that body. lie took great interest in the
gathering and since its adjournment had been
in frequent conference with Mr.. English con-
corning the publication Of the proceedings and
sketches OF the members. Ills speech on that
occasion he revised and revised again, taking
more pains to publish and make it suit his
ideas than with almost any other effort Of
his pen A sketch Of his lie was to be pub
lished with the Others, and he had been pre-
pairing the materials from which to construct
it himself. 1t was in the preparation for this
work that he had borroweda volume from Mr.
English, which he returned with limo of
thanks over his signature, the last time hC
penned It,
Vice-President Hendricks, on the day that
ne returned from Chicago last week, met James
A. Wildman, Postmaster Jones' predecessor,
on the street, and asked him to walk over to
his residence with him. MIR. Widman was
elected auditor OF state in 1872, when Gov.
Hendricks and the superintendent OF public in
struction were the only Democratic candidates
chosen, and their official relations resulted in
the formation OF an intimate friendship that
has never been broken. During their CONVEX
sation, Mr. Hendricks said "Wildman, all
this talk about my being candidate in 1883 is
the vericst twaddle; l shall never be candi-
uate IOI tnat Of any OlllcF Olllco AGAIN. was
MT candidate for Vicc-Prcsident last year,
but, having been elected, l am satisfied more
than satisfied happier man than / am today
you never saw"
The lady who called upon Mrs Hendricks
on the afternoon of her husbands death
was the wife Of Postmaster Jones.
At the same time she called, W. H.
Lemoster was in the room, having been de-
sirous OF seeing the Vice President prior to
1po,- fppW Was VIII. ha
appointment. Mrs. Hendricks entertained
them both, and appeared to be unusually
cheerful and happy. She spoke of the Vice.
Presidents iodisposion, but said he was bet
ter then than he had been at any time during
the day. They discussed the probabilities Of
his dying during this administration, and the
results OF such an unexpected event, and al
the same time the subject of their conversation
doubtless then lay dead in the room overhead
Vice President Hendricks leaves no heir He
had but one child, a son, who died at the age
OF 5 years, and he never altogether emerged
from the shadow of this loss. There is a brother
residing at the family homestead in Shelb,
county and sister in New York, the wife O
DR.. Winslow S. Pierce. He leaves forum,
estimated at fully 100000. For number o
years past the law firm of which he was
member has enjoyed large and lucrativ,
practice, being largely engaged in railroad ant
corporation litigation, and, although the Vice
President was u generous liver, he accumulated
competency. 1t is not known whether h,
left will or not.
DR.. w. c. Thompson has stated that it wa
his belief that Gov. Hendricks died from in
stantaneous paralysis of the brain and heart
He said that, save light cyanoses CT the lip
and timidity of the sides of the jaws, tn
color OF the features was perfectly natural
But there was slight, although significant
drawing aside of the lower lip to the RICH
side, as is seen in facial paralysis Of the lef
side. Mr. Hendricks had suffered for a LON
time with slight paralysis of the left hand, ant
DR.. Thompson had often noticed timidit
and careiulness in the of it in public az
sembly. Mr. Hendricks had often told tn
doctor that when he died he should like to z
off with paralysis, as it was a painless dealt
md took one off without knowledge or fore
bodng Of the inevitable hour.
King Alfonso Dead.
King Alfonso of Spain died at E
Padro on wednesday,, November 25th
Ca>doeI Canaui1cs heard A1fonan's confps