Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-02-18
DEATH OF GEN. HANCOCK.
w. s. Hancock, Senior Major
General of the Army, Dies
Suddenly. at Governors
Tslandl
Diabetes and.a Malignant rbunc the
Cause of Death-AnectIng Death-Bed
Scene.

Diabetes and.a Malignant CsrbuncIe the
Cause of Death-Affecting Death-Bed
Scene.
NEW FORK, Special Telegram, Fen. 9.-This
city was shocked this afternoon by the an
nouncement shortly after 8 O'Clock of the
sudden and unexpected death Of Maj. Gen
Winfield Scott Hancock The mme-
diate cause of his death was a
carbuncle on the back of the neck. superin-
duced by diabetes and blood poisoning. Two
or three weeks ago Gen Hancock attended a
meeting of the military order of the Loyal
Legion in Philadelphia He returned to this
city apparently in his usual health and
started for Washington, accompanied Ey
Lieut. Gen. John II. Dupray. They arrived
N Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 81. ard
on the next day the general called on the
president and secretary of wal. All that
lay he was considerably annoyed by an irri-
sating boil. The pain became almost
hnbearable, and the general made the mat
ter worse by continually picking it On FRI
day morning the sore became much infiamed,
and the general went to the United States
dispensary in Washington, where Surgeon
Kelley lanced it This seemed to give the
general considerable relief. On that same
morning on the way to tho depot Lieut.
Dupray incidentally mentioned the fact that
the PRESIDENT was going to hold a reception
that evening, and he said that If he knew
hat before he would have waited over. He
arrived the same evening and nothing more
was thought of the boil until Feb. 2, when it
DEVELOPED mt A cARBUNcLE
De Janeway, the post surgeon at Governors
island, was called in and treated the general,
apparently with success He Immediately
began TO improve, and on the 4th was much
better. After this, however, the carbuncle
developed into a malignant pustule, aud at
midnight on the 9TH he became delirious
The physicians had suspected kidney
troubles. but did not look at its development
at that time, and it was not until Monday
that the kidney trouble showed itself. DR..
Janeway called in DIR. Stimson of this city,
Hospital Surgeon Robinson and Medical
Sutherland, and it was then dlscoy.
cred that the carbuncle resulted from the bad
condition of the generals blood caused
by diabetes. Less than ~forty-eight hours
ago the kidney trouble suddenly became
active and diffused itself all over the body.
The general was greatly Frustrated, and be-
gan hdotihS nhaN Idpltll1s II pu1 StCAuus
resorted to hypodermic injections of brandy
and ether and carbonate of ammonia, and at
10 o'clock last night the general rallied The
outlook for a good night was favorable, but
at A O'Clock this morning he had a violent
paroxysm. His condition then became
alarming, and the physicians were hurriedly
sent for. At 6 o'clock he was fast losing
consciousness, and his devoted wife, who
was standing by his bed, was led out of the
room by the physicians Just as she was
about to leave he murmured
%oH, ELLIE"
a pet name he used in addressing her. Mrs.
Hancock was much affected, and fingered q
at the door, when the general again
attempted to address her. Every one present
listened eagerly to hear what the dying
soldier hao to say, but he only uttered,
HMyra, good" and before he could say
@bye" he fell back unconscious These were
his last words DIR. Stimson arrived from
New York at 7 o'clock, and the physicians
gathered around the generals bedside and
vainly tried to revive him. They were un-
successful, however, and he remained in this
condition all the morning. About 9 O'Clock ne
showed signs of dissolution, and anesthetics
were hurriedly prepared, as the physicians
feared commissions at he close. They were
not needed, however, and at 8 minutes OF
3 O'Clock this afternoon he passed away
peacefully and without a struggle. Standing
by his bedside were Mrs. Hancock, her
brother, Oliver Russell, Gen. Frye, for some
Gen. Hancock's adjutant general,
Lieut. Griffin, who married Miss Alice Han
cock, the generals niece, and the attending
physicians Those who knew Gen. Hancock,
and to whom his name was synon-
with health and vigor, would nave
difficulty in realizing the change his few
days sickness had made in his face and
form The malignity of his malady has ap-t
parently been as great as that which carried
away Gen. Grant. His cheeks were sunken
and his hands thin and emaciated
Washington. Feb. 9.-To Mrs. Gen. W. g. Han
cock: / have this moment heard of the death of
Gen. Hancock, and wish to express to you. my
dear madam, my deep sympathy and confidence.
faithful officer, and the country one of ifs best
citizens. GSignedl I. II SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General.
indianapolis, Feb. 9.-To Mrs. W. s. Hancock:
/ am pained beyond expression to hear of your
husbands death. The loss to yourself is irrep-
arabic, and to the country and his numerous
friends scarcely less. i tender you my heartfelt
sympathy. fsignedl WILLIAM II. ENGLISH.
ST. Louis, Feb. 9-Gen. ". D.. Whipple: Gen.
Miner has been here and SAYS Gen. Hancock is
dead. / must go to the Burnett house, Cincin-
natl, Tonight. Telegraph there. Can i do any
thing to manifest my love for him or his widow?
SHERMAN.
Richmond, Va, Feb. Recommending Offceri
parties and classes in Virginia deplore the
death Of Gen. Hancock. The country mdarns
the loss Of a superb soldier and a noble citizen.
] personally believe that a true friend has gone.
Please let me know when Gen. Hancock will be
buried. desire. if possible, to attend the serv-
ices. FITZ HUGH LEE.
Immediately on the receipt of the intelli-
gence of the death of Gen. Hancock, the flag
on the wal department building was placed
at half mast by order of the secretary of war,
and arrangements were made for the pro-
mitigation of a general order formally an
nouncing his death to the army, which will
be issued tomorrow. The secretary of wal
ALSO recalled the invitations he had issued
for a receptio &c officers of the army, navy
and marine corps for this evening. The flag
on the White House was placed at half mast.
WASHINGTON, Feb 9.-The president to-day
issued the following executive order:
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. 9, 1856.
of the death of Winfield Scott Han
cock, the senior major general OF the army of the
United States, have Just been received. A pat
riotic and valiant defender of his country sn
able and heroic soldier, a spotless and accom-
plished gentleman. crowned with laurels OF mill
tary renown, the highest tribute of his fellow
countrymen to his worth as a citizen, he has
gone to his reward. II Ia fitting that every mark
Of public respect should be paid to his memory.
It is now ordered bv the president,
that the national flag be displayed at half mast
upon all the buildings of the executive depart
Inents in this city until after his funeral shall
have taken place. GROVER CLEVELAND.
DANIEL S LAMONT, Private Secretary.
The president also sen the following tele-
gram to Mrs Hancock:
Accept my heartfelt sympathy and coincidence
IN your terrible bereavement The heroism and
worth of your late husband have gathered to
your side, in this hour Of your affection, q nation
Of mourners.
RIBuT FROM col. CROOKS.
Il am iaexpressibly shocked and panied to
learn of Gen. Hancock's death" said Col.
William Crooks last evening. Il had hoped
that that report would prove untrue" Con-
tinuing, Col. Crooks said:
1 knew Gen. Hancock very well indeed. and a
purer man never lived. He was a perfect soldier,
and an honest, square man in all respects. He
was dignified, yet easily approached, and had
the Endliest and finest disposition in the world.
He was a perfectly frank man, and had the
faculty Of attracting people to him. He had a
great hold on the army, especially on the volun-
teers. They ranked him with Grant, Sherman
and Sheridan. He was brave and chivalrous, and
was the Chevalier Bayard of the army. Gen.
Hancock took the First Minnesota at Gettys-
burg, and with its depleted ranks he held 4
whole brigade of rebels in check at a time when
the fate of the battle was in question. He
threw the regiment against the brigade, and
that is when the men of the first Minnesota
were lost. But they accomplished all he asked
of them, and more. Gen. Hancock character
lied the charge as the most gallant In the his
tory OF the war, and he had the high
est respect for the Minnesota volunteers
During his residence in this city
Gen. Hancock became warmly attached
to the people of Minnesota, and he
made a large number OF intimate friends. So
popular did he make himself hat when he was
nominated for the presidency, he received the
strongest possible support from the Democrats
OF the state. ] have met Gen. Hancock many
times of late years, and he always spoke of his
friendship for Minnesota. There has been much
prevarication concerning Gen. Hancock's rela-
lions with Gen. Grant. Gen. Hancock told me
himself that 1t was a misunderstanding and
tfat Nhan he aud Cen Grant falkaJ a. nya ba