Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-03
woI. A. WHEELER, OF MALONE.
Physical Collapse of the Ex-senator
and Vice President.
From u M York Worlei


From the Ne,o York World
MALONE, n. Y, Nov. 20.--The death Of
Gen. Arthur recalls the fact that but two
survivors of the office TO which he was
elected are living, Hannibal Hamlin, who
was elected on the ticket with MIR. Lin
coin in 1860, and William A. Wheeler,
who was counted In" in 1876. On March
4, 1881, both of these men retired
from public life, the former end
ing his term as United
States Senator from Maine, the latter
ending his fraudulent term of Vice-Presi-
dent. In spite of his rs years
Mr.. Hamlin is comparatively an active
man, and struts the streets OF Washing
ton on the coolest days OF winter without
an overcoat. Mr.. Wheeler, on the other
hand, ten years MIR. Hamlin's junior, has
dropped, with Hayes himself, completely
out of public sight and public mind. In
fact, so deep is his Obscurity that it has
been generally believed he was dead and
was so stated by many papers comment
ing on the death of Gen. Arthur.
MIR. Wheeler was born in this beautiful
town and has always lived here. The
people of Franklin county have been proud
OF THEIR representative, and DISPLAYED their
Attorney shortly after he attained his ma
Jority, o. sending him to both branches
OF the Legislature, TO Congress for ten
years, and to the Constitutional ConVen-
ton of 1867. He was President pro. tenn
OF the State Senate and his abilities as
presiding officer were so generally recog-
nlZed that he was chosen President of
the last State Constitutional Convention
by 100 votes out OF the 100 on the first bal
4. r,.,.s
in all deliberative bodies as
master spirit, His abilities
were OF pronounced order, his mind was
analytical. For years his hand unopposed
had shaped the policy anu directed the
management of the Republican party in
this section of the State. His handsome
home on Maple street was the Mecca TO
which Republicans from all over the
country found their way during the sum-
mer and fall of 1876, when Mr.. Wheeler
was the nominee for Vice President.
These were golden days in the history of
Malone.
For year or two subsequent to his re-
tirement from the Vice Presidency, ana
from active political life the eX-Nice
President could have been seen every
season driving home in rOomy family
barouche, accompanied by his wife and
daughter, nOrthward up the slope OF the
mountains to the summit OF the great
Appalachian divide at Loon lake, over
and around Old Kate mountain, forward
into Saranac valley and so on, making in
the detOur the complete circuit of OLD
Whitetace and ending the journey at the
beautiful little Mirror lake or the roman
tic Lake Placid. The distance covered
in this journey was about sixty miles and
occupied two days, the party usually
stopping over night at Loon Lake House
or some other hotel on the way. Later
on, for several years past, these drives
have been discontinued. and in their
stead Dir. Wheeler, now bowed and
broken, would be seen occasionally, ana
then for short trips in the suburbs only.
The sunhep eyes and dull, leaden, OPIUM
colored complexion caused much talk
among the country people until his AT
pearance became SO common thar IL
ceased to create food Tor comment and
gossip.
The details of the total collapse of
figure IN tins c0untry's politics whose
prominence need not be reiterated are
sad and painful TO narrate. The states
mans physician, the venerable and re-
spected DR.. Theodore Gay, is most reti-
cent, and the neighbors and villagers.
however much they may discuss 1t by
their own 1resides and IN the village
STORE, speak OF the case to strangers
with the utmost reserve or not at all.
Be the cause Wnat it may, the fact re-
mains that the once strong and aggres-
sive political leader is now wreck OF
humRnity-a mere child, deferred to by
none, peeyish, impatient, helpiessl Be-
lore b'a condition became u matter OF
secret knowledge in Malone, the states
mans house WAS OYerFun with visitors.
Those who had any point to gam in which
his name might be OF service hesitated
not to call at bis house for an audience
and no one left the mansion without toe
recommendation, signature or promise of
influence sought, which, IN most cases, it
is but fair TO presume, would never nave
been given but for the condition OF
the donor. This was one of the first in
cideuts that called the atten ion OF the
eX-NIce Presidents friends and relatives
more closely To him. Since that time his
life mas been spent almost wholly at his
own residence, from which visitors to him
are excluded, or being driven about the
country in his carriage. His relatives
studi0usly keep MIN from either public or
social assemolages. The Republican
politicians of Northern New York who
were wont TO consult him for advice and
influence have long since ceased their
pilgrimages.
The eX-VIce Presidents family are de-
voted To GIN, aud are untlrlng in their
efforts 10 provide for the lnvalld's COM
tort. He clings tenaciously to his physi-
clan, DR.. Gay, who lives but halt block
distant from him, and who is III almost
constant attendance. III the latter deiers
MS stated visits but for an hour he Is sent
for at once. Not night passes that the
physician does not attend aud assist the
sufferer to procure u semb!ance of sleep.
L IL ~ q n -