St. Paul daily globe., 1891-08-13
TWO GREAT MEN DEAD
James Russell Lowell, Poet
and Diplomatist, Expires
at ElmWood.
Peaceful Ending OF a Noble,
Useful and Brilliant
Career.
George Jones, Editor Of the
New York Times, Dies in
Maine.
The Story of His Trials as a
Man and Triumphs as a
Journalist.

Boston, Aug. y. - James Russell
Lowell died at 2:1O o'clock this morn
ing. His death was caused by an affec-
ton of the liver, together with other
ailments incidental to his advanced age.
Mr. Lowell died at his home, ElmwOod,
in Cambridge, where he was born Feb.
q, 1919 Since his return from the En-
glish mission Lowell put out his latest
work, Democracy and Other Address
es," a collection of his more important
occasional addresses in England. He
spent most Of his declining years with
his daughter, Mrs. Burnett, at DeerfOOt
farm. South Borough, Mass. and with
his grandchildren, whom he adored.
Here he did his last literary work.
1t appears that the poet was taken
sick about FIVE weeks ago. About two
weeks or more ago he became delirious
and up to Monday he recovered con-
sciOusness only at brief intervals, when
he gave members of his family signs OF
recognition. He seemed to think he
was far away from home and appeared
to long to get back to Elmwood and his
family. At times he fancied he was
entertaining royal visitors. Though
unquestionably the pain was very
great, he
Made No Complaint.
Last Sunday he seemed better, and
the delirium left him. Monday he APP
peared brighter than at any time during
his long illness. Up to that time the
had haa1. anni lint hn +bnp hnroT
TO show the effect of the heat. Monday
afternoon, when the nurses changed
the bedding, he suffered intensely when
moved, and finally said, "Oh, why
don't YOU let me die?' These words
were his last. He seemed from that
time to lose heart and gradually his
life faded away. He continued in a
cOmatOse condition until 2:15 o'clock
this morning, when the last spark of
life went out. At the mansion of the
ElmWOOd Eestate, where Lowell died,
there were no members of the family
to-day but the daughter and the sOn-in-
law of the poet. His body lies in his
own sleeping apartment, where the last
hours of his life were spent. The nurse
who watched over him during his ILL
ness is still at the house. She was
present at his bedside from the time
when he became unconscious on Mon
day evening until he died, early this
morning, except for absence of few
minutes. His death was extremely
peaceful. Although it was known that
he could not live much longer, his death
was, nevertheless, rather unexpected.
Late Monday afternoon, after few
hours of brightness, he began to wall
der again. and whatever he said after
that time was aimlesS. In few hours
he became unconscious, and he never
regained his mind. The transition
From Sleep 10 Death
was so easy that for a few moments no
body in the room observed that he had
ceased to breathe. There were present
at his bedside when he bTeathed his last
his daughter Mabel and her husband,
AIR. Burnett, with his first wife's sis
ter. Mrs. Howe, and the nurse. His
eyes were closed and they never opened.
He passed away with only heavy sigh
TO Indicate the separation of the great
soul from the Worn-out body. The
funeral will be helO Friday at noon in
Appleton chapel, Cambridge. 1t is
probable that BiShOp-elect Phillips
Brook will OfficiaJe.
Mr.. Lowell himself never inquired as
TO the nature of his malady. From in
QuirieS it was ascertained that an OLD
enemy of his, gOut. has afflicted him al
most constantly Of late, and that sciat-
lea, hemOrrhageS, and latterly severe
type of liver disease have in turn af-
fected him. Mr.. LOwelfS health has
been impaired ever since his return to
this country in 1885, alter concluding
his diplomatic services of eight years,
three years at Madrid and five at the
court of ST. James. The death of his
wife, in the midst of his social and dip
1Omatic success i'll London as the repre-
sentative of this country, had an un-
toward effect upon his health, which was
then becoming broken. He returned to
his home at Cambridge-that Elmwood,
so full of history, and where he has
spent the whole seYenty-twO years of his
lIfe-his wife'S loss weighing heavily
upon his mind. Even then he was
Beginning to Fail
visibly in physical way and went into
society little. preferring to enjoy quietly
the cOmpanIOnship of his books and
gradually dropping into the recluse life
of a semi-invaid. He was forbidden to
take the long walks he so much en-
loved and which yielded such abundant
fruits in his works and later driving
even was prohibited. His friends. when
they called at ElmWOOd, invariably
found him with an open volume before
him, but ready to lay it aside and con-
verse on every day topics with all the
mental vlgor he ever possessed. Three
Cambridge gentleman, old and tried
friends of his, who had with him
formed a whist club, found that for
some time he had been making unusual
efforts to be present at the game of
which he was so fond, and learning
that it was at the expense of his
failing health this, the last So
cial enjoyment he INDUCED in, was
given UP. A year and a half
ago his condition became serious and
q fatal termination was feared, but his
health then had the chance of recovery.
His life at ElmWood had been almost
devoid of incident. One or two friends
have dropped in from day to day, his
studies have been pursued whenever
possible and his geniality and lightness
of spirit. even when suffering, has been
remarkable. A complete revision of
his works in prose and verse was under
taken and completed. task in itself of
considerable magnitude, and which un-
dOubtedly made a decided strain upon
his impaired health. He has also writ
ten charming introduction TO lSaak
Walton'S Works and contributed few
pieces to the Atlantic. Mrs. Burnett,
his only child, has been with him con-
stantly. She is his only near relative,
except brother. Robert, whose where
abOuts are uncertain.
Suffered Without Complaint.
It appears that DR., Wyman, when in
formed of Mr.. LoYell's illness. men
toned to some friends in England that
the disease would undoubtedly result
fatally. This led to the writing Of a