The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-29

VIROQUA, Wis, Nov. 21.-Jeremiah
M. Rusk ex-secretary Of agriculture,
died at o'clock this morning. The
death Of Gen. Rusk came like bolt OF
lightning from the sky. There was not
the slightest indication Of the approach
/ ing end. Col. Henry Casson, his former
private secretary. left his bedside at
o'clock last night and gave to an assem-
bled crowd Of the generals friends the
most positive assurance that the crisis
was surely passed. Gen. Rusk himself
said to his physicians during the even
ing;
Boys, I'm better"
DR.. Colt and Mrs Craig, the generals
eldest daughter, remained with him dur
ing the night. He took an unusual
amount Of milk and other nourlshment
and slept good portion Of the night
He had talked freely and appeared the
most reconciled TO his condition than at
any time since his sickness. Yesterday
was the first time he admitted his appar-
ent improved condition
Gen. Rusks death was due TO a COM
plicaton Of disorders, the origin Of
which dates back several years. Nearly
ten years ago, while governor of the
state, Gen. Rusk had a first attack
similar to that which FRUSTRATED him on
his last bed Of sickness. The physician
then decided that the trouble was due
to disorder Of the stomach. The treat
ment at that time was successful in re-
moving the more severe symptoms and
for some time the general considered
himself cured. OF recent years, how
ever, there have been slight occurrences
Of the attack, and while not of such
severity as TO seriously impair the gen.
erals health, they have been a warning
of what must come in time.
Last year, while at the national en-
campment Of the G. A. r. at Indianap-
oils, Gen. Rusk met Surgeon Cen Ham
ilton and explained his symptoms to him
and the physician made a diagnosis OF
the case. He decided that Gen. Rusk
was suffering from enlargement Of the
PROSTATE gland. Within two months
this enlargement Of the glands caused
the formation Of an abcess near the
bladder, and the abcess gradually in
volved the gland. Seven weeks ago Gen.
Rusks condition became so serious that
he was obliged to take to his bed, still
no alarm was felt for his life. On Nov.
10 DR.. Hamilton was summoned from
Chicago and consultation was held. Ii
was declared that an operation was
necessary. Chloroform was admins
tered and the abceSs was opened, a
drainage tube being inserted. The fire.
quent reinsertion of this tube caused the
general intense suffering, and yester-
day he stated to friends that he could
not endure having the tube again in
serted. 1t was not thought, however,
that death was so near at hand and the
end was a shock to his friends.
A post mortem VIII be held to deter
mine the cause Of the generals death.
The house where Gen Rusk died has
been the family residence for many
years. Blue books, cOneT essional directo-
ries and biographical dictionaries give
Gen. Rusks occupation as that OF a
farmer, and rightfully. He owned one OF
the finest farms in Werner county. IL
lies north of the village Of Viroqua and
is in high state Of cultivation The
dwelling is a plain frame structure, a
story and half in hight and is painted
a weather worn yellow. Tall locust
trees surround the building. At one
side are large barns, granarieS and a
tool house. The rooms Of the dwelling
are eight in number and are not large
nor roomy and neither are they hand
SOmely furnished. Exterior and interior
it has a plain, home-like look. however.
and carries a look of solid comfort
The apartment in which he died is on
the second floor and at the front Of the
building The walls are low and the
furnishings are in keeping with those
Of other rooms in the modest home.
The bed on which the general lay as he
breathed his last "a Of some dark, rich
looking wood, and around it are the low
chairs, the nurse table and other famil-
lar surroundings of a sick-roOm.
jeremiah McLain Rusl< was born in Nor
gan county, Ohio, June II, 1880. He re-
ceived a common school education, and
was engaged in farming till the outbreak
of the civil war. He enlisted and IN 1862
was made major of the Twenty-fifth Wis
consin. He served with Sherman from this
date till the close Of the war, attaining
the rank of Northumberland. In 1865 he
was brevetted brigadier-general of volun-
teers. After the he held number OF
civil offices in Wisconsin, and in 1870 he
was sent to congress, and served three
terms. He declined the offices of minister
TO Paraguay and Uruguay, and of chief
Of the bureau of printing and engraving.
In 1852 he was elected governor OF Wiscon-
sin and served three successive terms.
Since March 4, 1883, he had been a cabinet
officer, with the title Of secretary Of agri-
culture, the former Office Of commissioner
having been changed to a secretaryship, and
Mr.. Rusk being the first incumbent