The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-17

notification of the death of General Hancock
has Just been received;
GovEgNoR's ISLAND. n. Y, Feb. o 1856
- Major General W. 5 Hancock: Z. $ A., died at
Assistant Adjutant General.
General Hancocks death, was the result
of malignant earbuncle on the back of his
neck, which had confined him to his bed for
Several days. No serious alarm was felt,
however until shortly before he expired.
The news caused the profoundest sorrow in
commercial and financial circles, as well as
among business men generally. When the
sad event was known in the exchanges and
at the custom house. flags was Immediately
ordered at half mask. 1t had not been gen.
orally known that General Hancock was i'll
and his death was unexpected. General
Hancock was in Washington a week ago and
was obliged to ret urn home without paying
his respects to the President. The carbuncle,
which caused his death, having made its ap-
pearence on the Generals neck at the base
of the brain.
The Commercial Advertiser SAYS: ''Gen-
eral Hancock has been ailing for some time
and had been unable to actively attend to
his military duties on the island. He suf-
fered from a complication OF diseases, but
still fought against mis- ailments until a re-
cent development Of a carbuncle while he
was at Washington compelled him to remain
in his house. From this attack he did not
rally, and his condition has been considered
precsrious for a day or two past. His only
son died last autumn. and since then he has
not been given the strength to resist disease
with the determination he had previously
exhibited. His wife was beside him when
he expired.
Upon the announcement of his death the
flag at his headquarters was displayed at
half mast and Geographic dispatches were
sent 70 the army stations IN the harbOr, the
army building at Houston and Greene
streets. and the navy yard, as well to
Washington and other places. General Han
cocks condition had been the source of
much anxiety TO the officers and men of his
department since the beginning OF the
wear.
In front Of No. S Governors Island an
orderly this afternoon was pacing to and fro.
1t was the residence OF Major General Win
field Scott Hancock, who died therein at
2:;jj O'Clock. If the General had lived until
the 14tk day of the present month he would
have COMPLETED his siXty-SecOnd year hav-
ing been born in NOrristown. Pa, February
Il 1924. In the second story front room,
furnished with SOldier-Iike simplicity, lay
the remains of the General, who, as the
guards remarked, led his troops to more
battles than any OF his military cOntempOr
aries The death OF General Hancock was
was a shock to them as well as to his
friends. Twenty days ago he started on bus
iness connected with the Department OF the
Atlantic 10 Philadelphia, where he remained
two Gays, then proceeded to Washington,
where lie had business. In Washington
boil developed itself on the back OF his
neck. It vas lanced on January 80 and as
the General was much inconvenience by its
presence. he returned to New York several
DAYS sooner than designed. During the first
week o. February the boil developed into
malignant oarbUncle, which suppurated con-
stantly and prevented rest or sleep. DR.
JaneVay called and il was not until marked
weakness resulted from the presence o. the
carbuncle that the surgeon discovered that
General Hancock vas suffering from diabetes
and kidney trouble. DR.. Janeway called in
consultation DR.. sutherland, medical director
ST the department, and DR.. ID. u. StimSOn.
OF New York. The medical men concluded
the case was assuming very serious form on
Monday. At 10 clock Monday night, be-
fore going away DR.. Janeway found the
patient In COOL spirits, and able to help HIM
self and left him apparently improved. At
6.45 this morning Mrs. Hancock dispatched
an orderly for DR.. Janeway, as the General
was sinking rapidly. The Doctor came i'm
mediate.v and found the General in a coma
tOse state. with feeble pulse, and all the
premonitOry symptoms of death present.
He summoned the two physicians already
named Hypodermic injections of brandy
and ether. and carbonate of ammonia and
brandy were administered. These, how
ever, only alleviated the suffering
OF the soldier, who was gradually
sinking away until death was touched at
2:35. as stated. In the words of DR.. Jane
way. The General went down TO the close of
his lie like person descending a fight OF
stairs When death came, the three physi-
clans and the hospital steward only were
present Mrs. Hancock was then in an adj
Joining room. The General leaves his widow
and three grandchildren-two girls and one
boy-named Mora. Ada and Gwynne. the
issue Of the Generals son, Russell, who died
December %, 1884 and whose loss the Cen
eral ever since mOuined bitterly.
Major General Whipple will assume COM
mand Of the department, supported by Lieu
tenant Colonel Jackson until the President
shall appoint General Hancock's successor
from Generals SchOfield, Terry or Howard.
Orders in relation TO the funeral ceremonies
are expected from Washington tomorrow.
In the meantime the body will be embalmed
by the officers of the post. In general orders
tomorrow VIII be promulgated the an
n0uDcement of General HancocS's death,
when the regulation mourning will be adopt
ed. Flags were at once half-masted on the
announcement of his death. The General
will probably be inferred at MOrristown, Pa
News of the Generals death had been
uaSneE ABROAD Dy wire out nttle Wnlle
when messages of coincidence began coming
to the island, among them these:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.
Mrs. General ". (. Hancock:
have this moment heard of the death of Gen
eral Hancock. and wish to express TO you, my dear
madam. my deep sympathy and coincidence. The
army has lost a very distinguished and faithful
officer. and the country one OF its best citizens.
z. H. SHERIDAN. Lieutenant General.
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb 9.
Nrz- General W. S. Hancock:
am panied beyond expression to hear OF your
husbands DEATH The loss to yourself is ire
parable, and 70 the country and his numerou,
friends scarcely less. tender you my heartfelt
sympathy. WV. II. ENGLISH.
No member of the Generals family antic
ipated the fatal termination of his Hines:
until Mrs. Hancock became alarmed at hi:
rapid decline this morning. 1t has been de
cided there shall be no autopsy. The hospital
stewart has charge of the remains where they
lie in the family room on the second floor
He was unable TO speak or converse with the
family or attendants except in broken tones
and scarcely Ineligible terms during this
morning, and when his wife became exceed
ingly alarmed at his condition, the General
enGeavored 10 address her, and succeeded in
calling her by the same name that had been
one Of his own in addressing his wife.
So far "a could he learned no definite