The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-07
HENRY WARD BEECHER.

He Tells a Reporter How the Newspapers
Should Describe Attack of Apoplexy.
New York Special. 5th.
An alarming rumor current in this city
and Brooklyn about midday that the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher had fallen dead. 1t occasioned
no little excitement and surprise. as everybody
knew that Plymouths veteran pastor, last Mon
day evening, presided at the memorial services
in the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and then
seemed the picture of rugged health. He was
in excellent voice and spirits and chatted cheer
fully with friends about his contemplated four
months tour in Europe. 1t was well on in the
afternoon before positive denial of the report
became known. which, coming from Mr.. Beecher
himself lett no doubt of his being still alive full
of fun and a true mugwump-still kicking
"Iheard you were deadV said caller at Mr..
Beecher's house.
Indeed! so did T." the pastor replied, while
broad smile illuminated his ruddy features.
"How did ithappens'
"Ill have to tell you all about 1t so as to fit it
for the papers. Now, let me see-how aid it
begin2 Oh, yes! was engaged in writing dur
ing tho morning short time after half-past
IL or so got up from the chair, which was
drawn closely up to the table in the back room of
the parlor floor Some Of the windows look out
into the yard and others into Clarke street.
where the trees, dressed in their June attire,
futtered gently in the delightful breeze that
blew up from the river, and the birds sing
ing sweetly, filing the mind with thoughts Of
lovely nature Then put on my hat and walked
out to the long hallway that leads to the door
opening into the street, and turning the handle
walked down the steps TO the street, and alon,y
until I came to grocers store. where / pur-
chased q box of strawberries, and then returned
home.
Hanging my hat upon the rack in the hall,
walked back to the room in the rear of the par
lor and sat down to eat the strawberries, with
seeming relish and delight Suddenly my face
grew flushed and then pale, and my eyes bulged
from their sockets. Then my face paled. and
my entire frame shook. was trembling from
head to foet My head began to roll on my
shoulders. and then it struck the back of the
chair tried to speak and make some cutlery,
but the power of speech seemed to have fed and
the tongue refused to do its duty. My body
swayed from side to side. and suddenly fell to
the carpet covering the floor of the room The
noise of the falling body attracted the attention
of the inmates of the house, who rushed in and
found me.
at brought tears to their eyes, and then the
doctor was sent fer. He came quickly joggled
my head, and thereby loosened the emboli that
had clogged one of the arteries of the brain. and
gradually came back to the normal condition
of my. being, much to the delight of the mem
bers of the household. All of which is not true,
and have never felt better in my life than
feel today but that is something after the fash
ion in which some of my dear friends of the
press would describe my exit from this sphere"
The source of the false news Is undiscovera-
out It 0OuDtleSS lies IN the IacS tnaG the
tor of Plymouth has been compelled to begin
long vacation at once, instead of waiting until
July, as usual. The report did not get into
print, but it had wide circulation by word of
mouth.
Mr. Beecher was jolly over it. He opened the
door of his house in person to most of the callers
in order, as he laughingly explained, to shock
them with disappointment.
Mrs. Beecher often followed him into the hall
to see and enjoy the pleasure of the friends as
they viewed him alive and roseate. They were
invited in. On his library desk bottle of port
wine was kept unstopped most of the time. be-
cause many of the visitors accepted his sugges
ton that they drink long life TO him. He drank
none himself, however, though he received the
toasts in smiling attention.
Port wine is not my Triple. he said. II oc-
casionally take glass of Rhine wine or claret,
but port has too much body in it. 1t would
strengthen me. That is not what / need. The
fact is have too much health--too abundant
blood, too much robustiousness. That is the
troubie with me-"
Mr.. Beechers sons were among the earliest in
quirers, for the rumor Of their fathers death
had reached them promptly.
Deacon Howard, his most intimate church
friend, Rugged him impulsivey and exclaimed:
Il knew we'll enough you were not dead, for |
am snre would have dropped dead at the same
time.D
Deacon 8. ", White, the Wall-street SPECTATOR.
took cab ana drove 30 fast that q policeman