Evening star., 1886-08-05
HE DIED IN HIS CHAIR.
The Closing Hours OF the Life Of Samuel
j. Tilden.

The last hours OF Samuel J. Tilden were
peaceful and painless. For several months
past he had enjoyed unusual health for him.
He had gained in flesh thirty-fve pounds In
six months. He used his yacht Viking fre-
quentiy and took long carriage drives daily.
His face was familiar to the people Of Yonkers,
and ne frequently drove through the streets of
the city. The last time he went out was on
Sunday, when he was driven out by his faith
ful coachman, Dennis O'Hara, attended by his
valet, Louis Johansen, both OF whom have been
In his service for years. Saturday he was
taken with slight chill while sitting on porch
overlooking the Hudson and was taken to his
room, where he was attended by his friend
and physician, DR.. Charles E. Simmonds, of
em sbe wnG is stepping n Mtn phnn his family
cold settled in his bowels and stomach, causing
vomiting and purging. With medical aid, he
his carriage. Monday and Tuesday he also feit
much better Tuesday night, al 10 o 'clOch, when
he prepared TO go from his library to his cham.
Der, Dr. .Siminonds and MI. .Tilden's valet stepped
to his side to assist him. Together they accom-.
panied him up the broad, easy stairway. 1t
tain signs ' Of fatal weakness 'f Mr.. TiIden
walked very feeby and breathed with the
greatest difficulty on gaining the top landing.
1t was only by painful effort that he could
speak at all. A chair was brought to the head
attempting to go further. He was in great dis
tress, and for several minutes suffered ex-
tremely, while the physician administered
Presently he was taken up bodily and carried
to his chamber and put to bed. From that time
Mr.. Tilden did not speak. His mind had lost
none OF Its brilliant strength, and during Tues-
day he was as bright and active mentally as he
ever was. But his system was now approach
sne nnai nn stage 81 decay aad with 1t his
that he reached his bed tuesday night until his
death he suffered no pain. faithful watch
was Kept at his bedside during the night by
Miss Gould, Mr.. Tilden's niece. He lay per-
lectiy still until O'Clock, though it cannot be
said that be slept.
At four O'Clock Mr.. Tilden touched an electric
annunciator at his bedside and his valet imme-
diateiy responded He was assisted to a chair
where he sat quietly with his eyes half closed.
As he seemed TO be in dangerous condition
Miss Gould withdrew. AT six o'clock she re-
turned and DIR. SlmmOnds came with her. The
physician had been in the house all night but
had done nothing, as the case did not admit of
treatment: He still had hope that the patient
might rally, as he had so many times in the
past. careful scrutiny, however, convinced
the doctor that his patient was slowly but
surely falling, and a carriage was ordered to go
IonkeTs and an old friend OF MIR. Tiidens. DR..
swift arrived at little before eight O'clock
When he came into the room his lace tell at
once.
He saw that death could not be avoided. The
consultation OF the physicians very brief
ana without disagreement. All had been done
that was possible, and there was nothing now
but To await the end 1t was not far OH. 1t is
not probable that Mr.. Tilden was conscious
Whcu LII. oWhG arrived. his c0alr was near
favOrlte window looking TO the south, from
Whch long and magnificent view of the
hudson and the Palisades may be obtained.
The dying man did not look up. He reclined
In the chair as If asleep, and never rallied for
an instant. AT quarter to nine all signs of
breathing ceased. He died gently and without
the falntest evidence of struggle.
MR.. TILDEN's NEW YORK HOUSE.
The double house on the south side of Ora.
mercy park, New York, which MIR. Tilden oc-
cupied for few months during the year is
handsome building with a red sandstone front.
1nere Is an entrance for the family and private
guests ana another for politicians and callers.
4ne mouse formerly was single one, with
grounds running through to eighteenth street.
some years ago, however, Mr.. Tilden bought
the adjoinining house. The two buildings
room is said TO be the finest in the country.
He expended $40, 900 on that room alone The
other rooms in the house are also elaborately
decorated and furnished. 1t has been an
nounced In the public prints that Mr. 1ilden
intended, when he Joined two houses into one
tour years ago, that at his death the building
and fine library 1t contains would be given to
the city OF New York for q public library
John Bigelow. MantOn Marble and Henry Wat
terson, it was said, were to be made trustees of
the property for this purpose. The library is in
some respects unique. 1t numbers 10000
volumes, which include one of the finest col
MR.. TILDEN's FORTUNE.
Nothing could be ascertained at GreyStope
yesterday about the terms OF the will. Mr.. Til
denis fortune was estimated at from sc, ,OOO. 600
to $S,OOO,OOO.