The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-09
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS.
The Vice Presidents Unexpected
Death at his Home.
Action by the Presid sut--Mr. Hen
bricks Career.

The unexpected death of Vice-President
Thomas A. Hendricks at his home in Indian
apolis, Ind, OH the 18th of November, came
with startling suddenness upon tho country.
( Particulars of the sad event are given IN the
following dispatches from indianapolis, dated
the evening of the 25th:
Vice-President Hendricks died very sud-
denly at his residence a few minutes before )
O'clock this afternoon. He came home from
Chicago early in the week and complained of
feeling unwell, but nothing serious was
thought of it at the time. Last night he and
| Mrs. Hendricks attended a reception at the
residence Of Hon. John ]. Cooper, and after
he came home he complained of pains in his
side and stomach. Thi; morning he was no
better and his family physician. DR.. Thomp-
son, was called in, wfo gave him an emetic.
Mr.. Hendrick> stayed in his room all day and
the most of the time in bed, although he sat
up at intervals.
He received no visitors, but about 5 o'clock
Mrs. Hendricks left his bedside to SEQ a caller
for a few minutes in the parlor. She was
delayed longer than she expected. and when
Hendricks was dead. The end Of a busy and
e~ventful life had come peacefully and quietly.
On his face there was no indication Of pain or
suffering, and his eyes were only half closed,
as il in a gentle sleep. DR.. W. c. Thompson
and relatives Of the family were Immediately
| sent for.
There was nobody in his rom when he
died, and only Mrs. Hendricks. the servants
and a caller were in the house at the time.
Mrs. Hendricks was almost dstra ted with
grief, aud could not restrain her feeling suffi-
GENTLY to talk. The house was soon filled
with anxious friends, while a crowd collected
| around the gate, and it was found necessary
to refuse admission to many
DR.. WCOdburn, who came in with DIR.
Thompson. saws that be is inclined to bslieve
that the Vic, Pres dents death was causeaby
some affe ton Of the heart, for i the cause
had been apoplexy there would have been
his face. Mr.. Hendri ks complained princi-
rally Of his stomach this morning, although
there was a nervous twitching Of the muscles
OF his face. Just before he died his nephew.
Harry Morgan, WAS in his room, AMI Mr..
Hendricks was complaining greatly, but sud
dan'y seemed 10 fesl a great relief and said:
II am free at last. Send for Eliza" (meaning
his wice,. and these were his last words. Mr..
Morgan, not anticipating such a SUI lden fatal
Quickly, and when Mrs. Hendricks came into
the room, just before 5 o'clock, her husband
was dc ad.
The news spread through Indianapolis like
wildfre, and all tho fire and other bells in the
! city were tolled sixty-six times, one stroke
for each year of his life. All the newspapers
put out bulletins, and their offices were
crowded with people anxious to learn par
~ticulari. Manifestations Of sorrow were uni
versal, as Vice-President Hendricks was per-
sonally known to large numbers Of people,
and was esteemed by all, irrespective of diff
ferences of opinion.
At a meeting Of a number Of prominent
| citizens, held in tho United States district
court room at night, a committee. consisting
Of Senator BENJAMIN Harrison, w. IT. Eng
lish, Judge w. L. Nihlack, Noble G. Butler
and Aqua Jones were appointed to confer
with the family and make all the necessary
arrangements for the obsequies.
Mr.. Hendricks had no family aside from
his wife. His estate is valued at about
800, 900.