Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-15
RANDALL'S DEATH.
THE PASSING AWAY or THE GREAT
PENNSYLVANIA.
He n Gathered 20 His Fathers, Having
the Testimony OF n Good Conscience,
and with the Love and Rcvcr-
ence of tho whole People.

~, Randall died at 8 o'clock Sunday
,,orninc. His end was peaceful; his loved
ono were at his bedside when his eyes were
closed forever and painlessly the last spark
ri his life went out. The publ mind was
fullv prepared for the news of his death.
DSfnl y saws the Washington Posi-, almost
rn 10 the last moment there were some few
,'crsons who INDUCED the belief, probably
,,rnmp,ed Ivy hope, that AIR. Randall would
,,se from his bed and again be a power in
80 party. Mr.. Randall himself did not
Give NJ hope until a few hours before his
demise. In q conversation with one OF
SIC colleagues little more than o week
aimee. when his condition aud the proba.
= hljucs of his being in attendance Of the
present session were discussed, he said that
10 thought himself mendlpg. and expected
~ be able To resume his congressional
duties: that he had weathered tho pre-
Vions attacks. and believed his constitu-
ton sufficiently strong 10 carry him still
further. At the same interview he re-
;errcd to the pending legislation in con-
nection with q number OF cases, and ex-
vrcssed opinions as 10 what should be
done IN those matters. He neglected
neither his books nor newspapers, ana kept
fully informed upon the progress of events,
believing that the time would come when
tbs information would be of value TO him.
HE JOINS THE CHURCH
lone Of the last occurrences that he
commented upon was the kincaid-Taulbee
homicide, aud he expressed his regret that
men should resort to such measures TO set
lie their grievances. Ho did not contem-
plate that death was lowering over him at
that time. although he listened TO the sug-
Ccstions and teachings Of his intimate
personal friend. Postmaster-General Wanna
maker. aud through them was induced to
embrace religion and formally united with
the Metropolitan Presbyterian church.
Subsequently, he stated that il was a
course he had contemplated taking for
come time, and he was glad he had made
lis declaration. As ho was not then, ex-
pocting or fearing the coming Of the fell
DESTROYER It Is not 40 strange that there
should be Others who were of the opinion
that his sickness would not have fatal
termination. and did not yield until they
had proof conclusive Of his death"
Mr.. RASDALLs RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS.
OF his conversion, so TO speak, and adj
mission 10 the church. Nh Nanemaker Is
quoted az saying
80 was merely a friend interested in his
welfare. Those who knew Mr.. Randall
know that he would not be influenced IN a
matter of this kind. He was not emotional.
When his Illness TO a certain extent dis
tracted his mind from public affairs he had
more time TO think of himself. He SIMPLY
thought out this matter for himself as de
alternately and critically "a ne ever consld-
cred an appropriation bill. II was not q
doath-bed conversion. No fear of death
even would have influenced him If he had
not been convinced. Two months ago the
fa1nily physician told me that Dir. Randall
did not know then what was the matter
with him, and j am satisfied that two
weeks ago Mr.. Randall did not expect that
death would be the end Of his illness. lie
united himself with the church because he
had studied the matter thoroughly in the
leisure Afforded by his illness and reached
q certain conclusion. II was not nv int1u-
ence' OF that of any other person but his
own Judgment that brought about the re-
suit"
THE GREAT MANS ILLNESS.
Mr. Randal's illness dates back, it seems,
about FIVE years. when DR.. Thomas +. NAL
Ian, who attended him throughout his last
Illness. was called in 10 treat him for govt.
July 9th. almost two years ago, Mr.. Randall
WAS suddenly seized with q violent dlar-
rhoea and hemorrhage during the night,
due to hastily eating dish ot lce-cream
and berries during the day. This hemor-
Ihare was so severe as TO completely pros
trate him. and his life was IN imminent
danger DR.. Mallan saws that for some
time previous To this Mr.. Randall had
been troubled with what he supposed
were hemorrhoids. The diarrhoeal attack
caused the disease 10 assume an active
form, and it was found that he was suffering
from an extensive and malignant abscess.
This caused serious hemorrhagea, which
greatly depleted his system and left him
weak and emaciated. He put himself per
manentlv under the physicians care, and
DR. Mallan attended him constantly while
ne was in Washington, Dr N. s. Lincoln
being called into consultation OCCASION
ally. Mr.. Randall rallied and grew strong
OF. and was getting on fairly well until last
February, when he had severe rlgor,
brought on probably by the weather
This rigor was accompanied by severe
abdominal pains. and there were symp-
toms of peritonitis. From this time ex-
haustion began TO set IN. and the sick
mans course was downward. Septic@mia
was also present, and a chill and severe
diarrhna about two weeks ago brought
the case to a critical stage.
MR.. nANDALL's HOME LIFE.
Mr.. Randall's home life is described as
follows: Early in life the distinguished
gentleman married daughter of General
Aaron Ward of Sing Sing, N. Y, who was
o member OF Congress from 1927 TO 1872,
from 1881 10 1897, and from 1871 to lS43, a
gentleman of liberal education and travel,
who gave his children the same advantages.
Mrs. Randall was in every sense help
meet for her husband. The Speakers now
broken domestic circle was completed 10y
three children, the eldest Of whom is a
grown daughter. Their Washington recep-
,ions were always we'll attended, and while
marked by extreme simplicity We're always
thoroughly ENJOYABLE. For the last ten
years Mr. Randall was hard stu
dent and worker az home rs well as
4, the Capitol fIe read great deal, hada
vouminOus correspondence. made II rule
never 20 allow letter to remain unan-
I ...It Il ] lft ~
for domestic engagements found little time
TO 90 about the town. He was rarely seen
IN public places after dark, and his APP
pearnnce in such rendezvous as Wizards
would have caused a sensation. When he
went TO Philadelphia he was oyerrun with
callers. and his visits were often made be
tween DAYS, IN order that business would
not be sacrificed by an undue pressure OF
friendly attentions. In the summer he
rented a cottage, and eschewing public
concerns as far as possible rested TO gain
the health and strength which he always
brought 10 his winters work.
Mr.. RASpALL's PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
OF Mr.. Randalrs personal appearance
Washington correspondent some time ago
wrote thus;
Personally, Speaker Randall is a man
who would attract attention in any COM
pany and vet he ~ not a man OF imposing
appearance. lie il. perhaps, Httlc ao"No
medium height, but slight stoop reduces
ms stature TO the average He is broad
shouldered and looSe-limbed. Wearing no
beard and being always close-shaven, his
face is almost as smooth as a baby's. His
eyes are small black, and piercing, but
this effect is modified by the habit OF
squinting. which seems TO be the result OF
irving TO conquer nearness of sight with
out the aid of glasses. But his most
prominent feature is the mouth, which.
while inclined TO smile and reveal
fine get OF teeth, shuts with a snap. and
assumes the frnest sort of expression
under the impulse of 0ntagonlsm. The
sunshine Of boyish frankness which usu-
ally dwells upon his countenance is OBJ
scured In an instant by cloud as black as
thunder. The massive lower Jaw Is thrust
forward, the thin lips close. frown falls
upon the brow. aud the whole head -
thruet forward in O defiant fashion. IL isa
complete transformation, and when Ran
dali = IN tins ugly mood friend and foe are
equally liable 10 suffer from the displeasure
OF the moment.
.. Very diffQfopf d,as ba look a. he Sam