Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-04
THE VICE PRESIDENT DEAD.

. S'A p
SHOCK 70 TIE NATION.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Nov. 25.-Hon. Thomas
A Hendricks, vice president Of the United
states, died very suddenly at his residence in
this city at 4:45 o'clock this evening, under
circumstances that were particularly dis
tressing to his family and friends, inasmuch
as they had not anticipated fatal termina-
ton Of bis brief illness, and nobody was with
him when the end came. He returned from
Chicago last Saturday, and since then had
been complaining somewhat Of pain in his
head and breast, but nothing serious was
Thought OF it. Last night he and Mrs Hen
bricks attended a reception given at the res
ldence of Hon. John ]. Cooper, state treas
urer, returning home in their carriage about
midnight Mr.. Hendricks had taken off the
heavy clothing which he usually wore, and
put on dress suit of lighter material, and
before he got home he complained Of chilli
ness and certain degree of exhaustion, but
attributed it to malartal influences He sat
by the fire for an hour or more before retir-
ing, but declined to send for physician,
although urged to do 60 He slept restlessly
until about 8 o'clock this morning, when he
arose, dressed himself, and ate quite a
hearty breakfast, saying he felt much better
and intended to attend to considerable de-
Iayed business during the day. He and Mrs
Hendricks walked out for nearly half an
hour, and he apparently
RECLAIMED HIS PHYSICAL v1GoR
and cheerfulness. An hour later, however,
he began to be troubled with pains in the
region OF his stomach, and Mrs. Hendricks
sent for the family physician, DR.. W. c.
thompson, lifelong and confidential
friend Of the vice president As the pains in
the stomach continued to increase, he was
given an ernetic and afterward an Injection,
and relief came in the natural way. He arose
tTom his bed in which he had lain only few
minutes and read the morning papers, talk
ng cheerfully with his wife and an old house
servant Just before noon he had relapse,
however, and the physician was again
summoned and administered the usual
remedies, beside bleeding the patient,
and MIR. Hendricks again expressed himself
Is being greatly relieved. He remained in
his room all the afternoon, occasionally
Using from his bed, to which he was COM
PEELED to return by the recurrence of the
pains To all callers who came, and they
we're numerous, he sent word that he was
ndisposed, but would be glad to see them
tomorrow. About 1870 o'clock Mrs Hen
bricks, who had been at his bedside all dav.
went down into the parlOr to see caller,
who had come TO consult with her regarding
the affairs of a reformatory institution. OF
which she was one of the managers, and she
rorv oil ,arStt nh>
Tom, a colored servant, and Harry Morgan.
Mr.. Hendricks nephew. and page in Wash
tngton, remained with him. The servant
went out and Mr.. Morgan staid Mr. Hen
bricks tossed uneasly in his bed and COM
planned of great pain, but suddenly it
seemed to cease, and he said to his nephew,
Il am free at last Send for Eliza" meaning
bis wife; and these were
HIS LAST WORDS,
for the young man, not realizing the urgency
Of the message, did not deliver it at once,
Just before s o'clock Mrs Hendricks came
into the room and found that her husband
was dead The end OF long and eventful
life had come peacefully and quietly. He
lay on the bed outside OF the covering, onIy
partly disrobed, with his eyes half open as il
In gentle sleep. On his face there were no
naces OF pain, but pallor had. como over ~
shat indicated only too plainly that he had
passed away: 1t needed no close examine
sion to tell that he was dead, and Mrs. Hen
bricks screamed and ran down stairs. A
servant was dispatched to tho resi-
dence Of Dr.. Thompson, adjoining, and
ne came Immediately, but by the
time he had reached the bedside, the
limbs of the distinguished dead man
were becoming cold and rigid, and to Mrs
Hendricks pathetic appeal, aOh, doctor,
can't you do something's" he was obliged to
answer 1T is too late" Mrs Hendricks
became almost distracted with grief, and it
was an hour or more before she became
sufficiently composed to give any informa-
ton about her husbands last moments The
family servants. two of whom had lived
with them for years. ran about the house
crying and moaning, and there was the
utmost confusion for a time. When the
news was bulletined down town twas gen.
orally discredited. aud in a very few minutes
o hundred or more of Mr.. Hendricks close
political and personal friends had hurried to
the house. Very soon
A GREAT CROWD COLLECTED
around the entrance on the street, and it
ali corners except the immediate relatives.
Mr.. Hendricks died in his private chamber,
a large. comfortable room in which he did
the most of his work. Near his bedside was
q case containing legal and political works,
and on his desk were his papers, memoranda
and large number Of letters which had
been allowed to accumulate without an
swering for the last two Or three days His
dressing gown and slippers were at his bed
side, and near by was small stand on
which were various medicines and goblet
Of water Portraits, landscapes and bric-a-
brac adorned the walls of the room, and
we're in striking contrast with the sad
scene within. Dr.. Thompson says that,
n his opinion. Mr.. Hendricks died Of
paralysis OF the brain, and there viii prob
ss,ly be q post-mortem examination to estaD-
lsh what the disease was For several years
le had not been q robust man, and was sub
ect to frequent bad spells" as he called
hem, during which he would be Frustrated
sometimes for days at a time About two
'ears ago he was confined to his room for
several weeks by gangreneous affection Of
he foot, which ut the time it was feared
would result in blood poisoning. and it was
hen Thought that The end Of life was near;
'ut he apparently recovered entireiy from
MS anu was in his usual health. While In
Washington during the last session Of con-
.ress, he was soverworked and almost worn
,ut ~ The press Of poiitical maJters, and
lpon his return home be ignieed his lnten-