The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-13
death OF HORATIO SEYMOUR
Close of the Career of One of DemOcra-
cy's Most Distinguished Leaders.
He Breathcs His Last at His Sisters Home in
Utica, at 10 O'Clock Last Night-His
Life and Public Services.


perceptibiy at o'clock this afternoon. Shortly
afterwards he rallied little, but soon relapsed
into total Inconsistencies. During his illness
he experienced little, II any, physical sunerihg,
and today he was wholly without pain. M i.S
Seymour, who is very i'll, sat with
lher husband during the afternoon. Most OF
the time the Ex-Governor rested peacefully.
and his condition could only be distinguished
from natural sleep by the ashen pailor OF his
countenance and his labored breathing. At $3.50
ne was sinking rapidly; his pulse could scarcely
be counted, aud the respiration was more and
more difficult He expired without struggle,
and IS peacefully as il sinking to sleep. The
beginning of Governor Seymours physical all
ments dated from sunstroke which befel him in
the summer of 1876, while he was at work on
the roads of his town as pathmaster, an Office
which he was won't to say he had asked for. The
Immediate cause of his death was cerebral
eifusion, the usual process Of death in old age.
As yet no arrangements have been made for the
EuEsral.
=, Horatio Seymour, known as the Farmer States
man. was born at Pompey, Onondaga county,
New York, May 81. 1910, and at his death was
nearing the close OF his seventy-sixth year. The
conditions under which his early life was passed
were indeed remarkable ones. The people of his
native village, like those Of every other commu-
nifty then established in central New York, were
poor-constantiy engaged in struggle to gain
food and clothing. His father, Henry Seymour,
Afterward an honored servant of the Empire
State, was then one of the men of most conse-
quence In the village Of Pompey. Among the
many stories which have been told in regard to
the youth of Horatio Seymour is one to the effect
that. at q remarkably early age he developed
decided taste for study, and, while yet in his in
fancy distanced all his school competitors.
This is very far from being the truth. The fact
Is that he was weak and sickly in his childhood,
and for time was not nearly so far advanced in
his studies as were other boys of the same age. At
all times, however, he was close observer of
what was going on about him; and what he may
have lacked in book knowledge was. perhaps,
more than made good by varied store of In
formation picked up at odd times, at random
and without effort AS is often the case with
nen who springing from the people, have had
marked success in life, he received his first les
son from his mother. a daughter of Jonathan
Forman, asoldier of the Revolution Under her
watchful care he was-with some difficulty it
must be confessed-iuitiated into the mysteries
Of spelling books and primers.
When he was about eight years Of age, his
father. having acquired some property, moved
Grom Pompey to the growing town Of Utica. A
year or two afterward he was sent to the Ok
ford Academy, farmers institution in those
days. and from there went to Geneva (now
Hobartl College. During all this time he
continued to be weak and delicate, and in
his fifteenth year, hoping that the drill of the
Institution might be of benefit to him. his father
sent him to military school at Middletown,
Conn, which was conducted on the West Point
principle. Here he daily gained strength and
health. studied hard, improved rapidly, and
made many friends among young men who were
destined in after life to take prominent part in
ne. in company with the other cadets, was taken
by the officer of the institution on a trip to
Washington. At Baltimore he and companion
were left behind, the stage departing while they
were wonderingy viewing the sights of the city.
They at once made up their minds to walk to
Washington, which they did that night with
Suapsacks on their backs and guns on their
shoulders. They rejoined their comrades about
daylight next morning, having marched the
whole distance. There he had the satisfaction
Of meeting the distinguished men Of the
time. among them. Clay, Calhoun. John Ran
uolph and Webster, and was present at Mount
Vernon when Washington's remains were re-
moved from the tomb in which they were first
inferred to their present resting place. He was
allowed to lay his hands on the coffin, and often
adyerted to the fact in after years with evident
pride.
When Seymour left the military academy at
1diddletown, he had completely recovered from
Ahe debility of his childhood. Strong in body,
and with mind well stored with much useful
knowledge he returned to Utica, and, entering
4he Office of Green G. Bronson and Samuel
Beardsley commenced to study law. In due
course he was admitted to the bar. At about
Ahe same time. however, he married Miss Mary
IBleeker. of Albany young lady of many ac-
Complishments descendant of one of the Oldest
and wealthiest families of New York; and being
enlarged with the management of her large es-
tate in addition to his own. he never entered
actively upon the practice of his profession.
He was soon after appointed to the staff of
Governor Marcy. and while serving in that
capacity, became thoroughly familiar with the
1outine Of legislative bodies He was elected to
0he Assembly of 1872. and soon took high rank.
Returning to Utica. after his first session in the
Assembly. he was elected mayor of that city,
defeating the Wing candidate by an unusually
large majority. The next winter he was again
elected to the Legislature, aud continued to
serve until 1916. The Democratic party,
flushed with its overwhelming victory of 1874,
ghen the unknown James K. Polk defeated the
Wing idol, Henry Clay, was well-nlgh split be-
&ween the "Barnburners' and "Hnnkers."
Seymour was the ',Hunker' favorte for Speaker,
and the 'Barnburners" put up Colonel Grain. of
Herkimer. After bitter fractional fight. Sey
mour triumphed, receiving IS votes in the Dem
Dcratic caucus to 80 for Grain.
In 1850 he was given the leadership of
q forlorn hope. when nominated for Gov
ernor. and was defeated by the narrow
majority of 262 votes. eleeting the Wing candi-
date, Washington Hunt. His magnificent can
gass won the nomination two years later. and he
was elected by several thousand over Hunt. the
Whig, and Tompkins the Free-soil candidate
at that time intense prohibition sentiment
nrevailad and Governor Seymour .hronYht DIV,