Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-23

Justice Matthews had been an invalid for
year or more. During the winter of 1887
he frequently complained of indigestion and
muscular rheumatism, and as the spring
wore on began to suffer from obstinate dys-
pepsia, from which he lost great deal Of
strength and flesh. At this time it was
thought that his great devotion to work was,
TO large degree responsible for his illness,
as no doubt it was, and acting upon the ad-
vice of his physicians and friends, who had
great hopes that change of air might
prove alasting benefit he went to Massachu-
sets, stopping for some time at Lenox and
then at Nantucket, but he continued to
lose ground During the summer he had
several attacks of muscular rheumatism, as
ISOLATED with high fever, which would con-
fine him to his bed for several days at a time
On his return home he began to improve
somewhat, but he continued to suffer from
the intercurrent attacks, which always great
ly reduced his strength and flesh. These
came on at intervals of three or four weeks
Between them he would have periods of
marked Improvement, and several times when
DIR. Johnston was confidently hoping to be
able To get him out, another attack would
ever.
For about eight weeks previous to the final
illness he had been absolutely free from pain.
and his physician and family had great hopes
of his ultimate recovery. That hope was
modified, however, by the fact that while he
had good appetite and good digestion, he
lid not gain flesh, although his strength i'm
proved daily. AT this time he sat up during
a part of each day and walked about his
room and into other rooms on the same floor.
But about the 4th of March he had
an acute attack of high fever which
lasted several days, and which very
much exhausted him After this
passed Off he seemed to be improving
with return of appetite, but recurrence
OF the chilIs and fever, associated with cys-
tits, still further added to his exhaustion
and debility. During all this time his pulse
was exceedingly feeble and the action of the
heart was sustained only by remedies admin
istered for that purpose. Thursday after
noon he had a prolonged chill aud high fever,
which brought on intense local suffering
This was followed in a few hours by another
chill from which he could not rally.
The reports of Justice Matthews condition
during the past week had been of such a
cheering nature that apprehension was in a
great measure subdued and the news of his
death came with shock, even to MANY who
had been prepared for the announcement at
any time during the winter. The justice was
ever cheerful and hopeful patient, and ma
turally the members of his family endeavored
TO be as cheerful and hopeful as he, and it
was owing 10 his own belief that the favor
able reports of the past week were given TO
those who required after his health
Only Thursday morning Justice Matthews
was discussing with bis family various plans
for the future when he should be able as in
the past, to take part in their execution
"But at no time since his return to Washing
ton" said one of the family yesterday morn
ing, shave we really felt that there was hope
of his recovery"
Justice Gray was announced this week and
the marriage was expected TO occur shortly.
Justice Matthew's career has been so niue b
of a national character that it is well known
everywhere, but the following brief sketch
of his life gives the principal events therein:
His birth place was Cincinnati, o., and the
date July 81, 1924, so that he was nearly 65
years of age. Educated at Woodward high
school and Kenyon college he was graduated
in 1910. He then read law, was admitted to
the bar, and opened an office in Cincinnati.
His first Office was that of judge of the court
of common pleas at Washington county.
This office he resigned on the )st of January.
1853. In the same year he was elected to the
state senate. He acted as United States dis
trict attorney for the southern district of
Ohio from 1853 to March, 1861, when he re-
signed the office to enter the army. In June
of that yeai he was commissioned lieutenant
colonel of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer
infantry and was made colonel of the Fifty
first Ohio Volunteer infantry in November.
In April, 1868, he was appointed judge of
the superior court of Cincinnati. He re-
signed this Office in July, 1858 His name
appeared as n presidential eector on the
Lincoln and Johnson ticket of 1884, and on
that Of Grant and Colfax in 1sfs He was
defeated in running for membership In the
house of representatives at Washington in
1876, but in March, 1877, was elected to the
senate OF the United States, and served from
Oct 10, 1877, TO March 3, 1879, completing
the term of John Sherman, who had re-
signed In 1881 Mr.. Matthews was appoint
ed associate justice of the United States SUI
preme court In June, 1885, he married
Mrs. Theaker, of New York city,
The news of the sad occurrence reached the
supreme court Immediately, and orders was
AZ OHce gwen W uTape inc iabe Justices seat
in sombre black The chief justice in a few
and feeling remarks announced
the death, and adjourned the court until
Tuesday next, which will probably be ex-
tended to enable the court to be represented
at the funeral and burial
The funeral services will be held at !
o'clock Monday afternoon at the residence of
the family The services will be conducted
by Rev. DIR. Hamlin. The remains will be
taken from the house to the Baltimore ard
Ohio station and placed on the 8 O'Clock train
for the west. The funeral party will arrive
the next morning at Glendale, o., where
services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Pie,
rector of Christ church
Among the letters and kilograms Of con-
dolence received by Mrs. Matthews was the
following letter from the president of the
United States,
My DEAR Mrs. Matthew's have heard
with the most profound regret of the death
of your honored husband. The sense of loss
and bereavement which you feel will be
shared by all our people. / have known
Justice Matthews for many years. and had
a very high appreciation of his character and
learning. That you may be comforted and
sustained in this hour of trial is my sincere
prayer. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
The secretary of the interior wrote as fol-
lows to Mrs. Matthews: "You have my
sympathy in your affection. 1t was my good
fortune to number your husband among my
friends from my boyhood days. have ever
sought his esteem, and do most truly mourn