The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-02-18
DEATH OF GEN. HANCOCK.
w. s. Hancock, Senior Major
General OF the Army, Dies
Suddenly at Governors
Island.
Diabetes ANA . Malignant Carbuncl0 the
Cause Of Death-AfIecting Dsath-Bed
Scene.


New YORK Special Telegram, Feb 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 lmme-
date cause of his death was
carbuncle on the back of the neck, superln-
dnced by diabetes and blood poisoning. Two
or three weeks ago Gen. Hancock attended
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 by
Lieut. Gen. John H. Dupray. They arrived
In Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 81. and
ON the next day the general called on the
president and secretary of war. All that
day he was considerably annoyed by an irri-
tating boil. The pain became almost
unbearaDle. 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
dspensary in Washington, where Surgeon
Reilley lanced IT This seemed to give the
general considerable relief On that same
morning on the way to the 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
that 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 INTO CARBUNcLE
Dr. Janewav, 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 malignant pustule, and at
midnight on the 7th he became delirious
The physicians had suspected kidney
troubles, tut did not look at its development
at that time, and it was not until Monday
that the kidney trouble showed itself DR..
Janewav called in DR.. Stimson Of this city,
Hospital Surgeon Robinson and Medical
Director Sutherland. and it was then discov
cred that che 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 ditfused itself all over the body.
The general was greatly PROSTATE d, and be-
gan wasting away rapidly. The physicians
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 good night was favorable, but
at O'Clock this morning he had violent
paroXysm. His condition then became
alarming, and the physicians were hurriedly
sent for. At G 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
eoH, ELLIE"
pet name he used in addressing her. Mrs.
Hancock was much affected, and fingered a
moment at the door. when the general again
attempted to address her. Every one present
listened eagerly to hear what the dying
soldier had to say, but he only uttered,
@Myra, good" and before he could say
3bye" he fell back unconscious These were
his last words DR.. Stimson arrived from
New York at z o'clock, and the physicians
gathered around the generals bedside and
yainly tried to revive him. They were IN
successful. however, and he remained in this
condition all the morning About 2 o'clock he
showed signs OF dissolution, an anesthe5ics
were hurriedly prepared, as the physicians
feared commissions at the close. They were
not needed. however, and at 8 minutes of
3 o'c ock thus afternoon he passed away
peacefully and without a struggle. Standing
by his bedside were Mrs Hancock, her
brother. Oliver Russell, Gen. Frye, for some
wears Gen. Hancock's adjut.nt 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-
vmous with health and vigor, would have
d. ficulty in realiz ng the change his few
days sickness had made in his face and
form. The malignity Of his malady has APP
parently been as great a. that which carried
away Gen. Grant His cheeks were sunken
and his hands thin and emaciated
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-To Mrs. Gen. w. S. Han
cock: have this moment heard Of the death of
Gen. Hancock, and wish to express to you. my
The army has lost very distinguished and
faithful officer. and the country one Of it's best
citizens [signed] P. r. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General.
Indianapolis, Feb 9.-To Mrs. w. S. Hancock:
am panied beyond expression to hear OF your
husbands DEATH the loss to yourself irrep-
friends scarcely less tender you my heartfelt
sympathy [Signed] WILLIAM H. ENGLISH
St. Louis, Feb. 9-Gen. W. D. Whippie: Gen.
Miner has been here and says Gen. Hancock is
dead. must go to the Burnett house, Cincin-
nari, to-night Telegraph there. Can do any
thing to manifest my love for him or his widow?
SHERMAN.
Richmond, Va, Feb. 9-Commanding Officer:
death OF Gen. Hancock. The country mourns
the loss Of a superb soldier and a noble citizen.
personally believe that true friend has gone.
Please let me know when Gen. Hancock will be
buried. desire. if possible, to at end the serv-
ices. FIT2 HUGH LEE.
Immediately on the receipt of the inteli-
renee Of the death of Gen. Hancock. the flag
on the war department bull ling was placed
at half mast by order of the secretary of war,
and arrangements were made for the pro-
mitigation of general order formally an
nouncing his death to the army, which will
be issued tomorrow. The secretary of war
also recalled the invitations he had issued
for q receptio officers of the army, navy
and marine corps for this evening. The flag
on the White House was placed at half mast
EXECUTIVE ORDER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 0.-The president to-day
Issued the following executive order:
Executive Mansion, WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. 1856
-Tidings of the death Of Winfield Scott Han
United States have just been received. A pat
riotio and valiant defender Of his country. an
able and heroic soldier, spotless and accom-
tary renown, the highest tribute OF his fellow
countrymen to his worth rs citizen, he has
goueA0his reward. 1t Is fitting that every mark
Therefore, 1t is now ordered by the president,
that the national flag be displayed at half.mast
upon all the buildings Of the executive depart.
ments in this city until after bis funeral shall
have taken place. GROVER CLEVELAND.
DANIEL s. LAMONT, Private Secretary
The president also sent the following tele-
gram to Mrs Hancock:
Accept my heartfelt sympathy and coincidence
| In your terrible bereavement The herOtsm and
worth of your late husband have gathered to
your side, in this hour Of your afiotion. nation
| Of mourners.
A TRIBUTE FROM COL. CROOKS
Il am tnexpressibly shocked and panied to
| learn of Gen. Hancocks DEATH" said Col
William Crooks last evening II had hoped
that that report would prove untrue" Con-
| tinuing, Col Crooks said:
| I knew Gen. Hancock very well indeed, and q
purer man never lived. He was perfect soldier,
and an honest, square man In all respects. He
was dignihed, yet easily Approached, and had
the kindliest and finest disposition In the world
| He was q perfectly frank man. and had the
faculty Of attracting pebble 20 him. &c had .
great bold on the army, especially Oh the yolu4-
| teers, Thew ranked him with Grant, Sherman
| and Sheridan, He was brave anichiyalrous, and
was tho Chevalier Bayard Of tho army. Gen,
| Hancock took the First Minnesota ct Gettys-
| ~v{t to- nkcA - Enk hall IL