Delta chief., 1885-12-02


and the morning VIII dawn In day OF general
grief, instead Of day OF Thanksgiving.
The death OF Mr.. Hendricks occurred under
circumstances that were particularly distress
ing to his family and friends, inssmuch as they
had noe anticipated fatal termination OF his
brief illness, and nobody wss with him when
the end clme. He returned from Chicago on
las. Saturday, and since then he had been com
planning somewhat Of pain in his head and
breast, but nothing serious was thought OF IT.
Last night he and Mrs. Hendricks attended
reception given at the residence OF Hon. John
J. Cooper, T.easurer Of State, returning home
in their carrisge about midnight. Mr.. Hen
bricks had taken of his heavy clothing, which
he usually wore, and put on 4 dress suit OF
lighter material, and before he got home he
con.plaincd Of chilllness and n certain degree
Of exhaustion, but he attributed It TO malariAl
influences. He sat by the fire for an hour or
more before retirilg, but de clincd to send for
physician, although urged to do So He slept
rcstiessly until about O'Clock this morning,
when be arose, dressed himself, and ate quite n
hearty breakfast, saying that he felt much bet
ter, and intended TO attend to considerable dc
laycd business during the day.
He and Mr.. Hendricks walked out for hear
ly half an hour, and he apparently regained his
physical yigor and checrfulncss, An hour
later, however, he began TO be troubled with
pains In the region OF his stomach. Mrs. Hen
bricks sent for the family physician, DR.. VIC.
Thompson, n lifelong and confidential friend
of the Vice Presidents. As the pains in the
stomach continued to increase he was given an
emttic and af,crward an injection, and relief
came in the natural way. He arose from his
bed, In which he had lain only few minutes
and read the morning papers, talking cheerful.
ly with bis wife and old house servant.
Jus; before noon he had a relapse, however,
and the physician was again summoned. and
administered the usual rcmedies, besides
bleeding the patient. Mr.. Hendricks again
expressed himself As being greatly relieved.
He remained in his room all the afternoon, oc-
ca.ionally 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, be sent word TINT he was
indisrosed, but would be glad 20 sec them to-
morrow.
Abou, 4 30 O'Clock Mrs. Hendricks, who had
been at his bedside all day, went down into the
psfior 20 zee = caller who had come 10 consult
with her regarding the affairs OF reforma-
tory institution OF which she WAS one OF
the managers. She remained with him about
twenty minutes, while Tom, n colored servant
and Harry Morgan, Mr.. Hendricks nephew
AMI page In Washington, remained with him.
The servant went ou, and Mr.. Morgan stayed.
Mr. Hendricks tossed uncfsily, In his bed
and complained OF grca. pain, but suddenly II
seemed TO cease, and he Gaid TO his nephew:
"I am free Mt last; send for Ehza," 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, and Just
before 3 O'Clock Mrs. Hendricks came into tie
room and found that her husband YVES dead
II needed no close examination to tell that
he was dead, and Mrs. Hendricks screamed
and ran down stairs. A servant was dispatch
ed to the residence OF DR.. Thompson adjoin-
ing, 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. To Mrs. Hendricks pathetic ap-
peal: "Oh, Doctor can you do somethinef he
was obliged TO answer, at is too late"
The end OF a long and evcntful life had come
peacefully and quietly. He layin the bed out
side the covering only partially disrobcd, with
his eyes half closed, as II he were In gentle
sleep. On his face there were no traces OF
pain or suffering, but pallor had come over
It that Indicated only too plainly that he had
passed away.
Mrs. Hendricks became almost distracted
with grief, and It was an houror more before
she became sufficiently composed to give any
information about her husbands last moments.
The family servants, two OF whom had lived
with them for years, ran about the house, cry
ing and moaning, and there was the greatest
confusion for time.
DIR. Thompson says that, in his opinion, Mr..
Hendricks died OF paralysis of the brain, and
there will probably be n post-mortcm examina-
ton TO establish what the disease was.
For several years he had not been u robust
man, and was subject to frequent "bad SPELLS"
as he called them, during which he would be
prostratcd sometimes for days at n time.
About two years ago hc was confined to his
room for several weeks bya gangrcnous aifec-
a, ,tt tl.ft ft,nnt tra q rnl