Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-11-29
GEN. RUSK DEAD.
The Ex.Secretary of Agriculture Passes
Away Suddenly at His Vp0qua Home.

Viroqua Yesterday the attending ply
sicians and friends who have carefully
nursed the sufferer were SO encouraged
by the apparent improvement
in the Generals condition that
they had hopes that he would recover.
There was no marked change for the
worse during the night, and this morning
the sufferer appeared no nearer death
than at any time during the past week.
A few minutes before o'clock, how
ever, there was change noticeable, and
at 7:45 the sick man passed away.
There was no warning that death was at
hand and the end came painless and
like gentle sleep.
THOUGHT HE WAS BETTER.
The death of Gen. Rusk came like
bolt of lightning from a clear sky.
There was not the slightest indication
of the approaching end. Col. Henry
Casson, his former private secretary,
left his bedside at O'Clock last night
and gave to an assembled crowd of the
Governors friends the most positive
assurance that the crisis was surely
past. Gen. Rusk himself said to his
physicians during the evening: Boys,
I'm better" DR.. Gott and Mrs. Craig,
the Generals eldest daughter, re-
manned with him during the night. He
took an unusual amount of milk and
other nourishment and rested and slept
a good portion OF the night. lie
had talked freely and appeared tho
most reconciled to his situation at any
time since his sickness. Yesterday and
last night were the first times he had
admitted mis- apparent Improvement.
LIFE FLAME FLICKERS OUT.
Gen. Rusk's condition up to ten min
utes of dissolution was considered very
favorable. He talked with his watchers
and then seemed to sink into a peaceful
sleep, death came without a strug-
gle and with no warning what
ever. Only DR.. Colt and one
or two members Of his family were
present to watch the Pickering life
flame go out. The surgeons seem dis
den change. A post mortem Will be
held to determine the cause.
SORROW IN VIRoQUA.
When a messenger came to the city
to announce the Generals death none
were prepared for the sad message.
The General had given signs of such
marked Improvement that his son;
Col. L. ). Rusk, who had
been constantly with his father
for almost two weeks, departed
for his home in Chippewa Falls last
evening to be absent for a day or two.
Sorrow is depicted on the countenance
of every man, woman and child met IN
the street, and already badges of mourn
ing are streaming from business houses
and private residences.
ANNOUNCING GEN. RUSK'S DEATH.
Messages announcing the death of
hppn Sn1ttpd
ex-President Harrison, to members of
the cabinet who were associated with
Gen. Rusk, and to many other proml-
nent persons throughout the country,
FUNERAL ON FRIDAY.
The funeral of Gen. Rusk will take
place Friday Few arrangements for
the services have been made, but from
taleorams received here to-day
it is certain that hundreds of men of
state and national reputation will
be present. Ex-President Harrison
will be here and it is expected that
several members Of the Harrison cabinet
besides others who held high positions
under the national government will at
tend the services. Gov. Peck and
other state officers are also expected.
The interment will be in the little vii
lage churchyard in this place.
GEN. RUsK S LAST ILLNESS.
Gen. Rusk's death was due to a COM
plication of disorders, the orioin of
which dates back several years. Near
" ten years ago, while governor
of the state, Gen. Rusk had
first attack similar to that which pros
trated him on his last bed of sickness.
The physician then decided that the
trouble was disorder of the stomach.
The treatment at that time was successful
In removing the more severe symptoms
and for some time the General consid-
cred himself cured. Of recent years,
however, there have been slight recur
renCeS Of the attack, and while not of
such severity as to seriOusl y impair the
Generals health they have been
warning of what must come in
time Last year, while at the National
Encampment Of the G. A. r. at Indian
apolis, Gen. Rusk met superintendent
Hamilton and explained his symptoms
to him and the physician made dag
nosis of the case. He decided that
Gen. Rusk was suffering from enlarge
two months this enlargement of
the gland caused the formation
of an abscess near the bladder,
and the abcess gradually involved
the entire gland. Seven weeks ago
Gen. Rusk's condition became SO seri-
Gus that he was obliged to take to his bed.
Still no alarm was felt for his life. On
November 10 DR.. Hamilton was
hastily summoned from Chicago and
consultation was held. 1t was
decided that an operation was neces-
sary. Chloroform was administered
and the abscess was opened, drain
age tube being inserted. The fire.
quent re-insertion Of this tube caused
the General intense suffering, and yes
terday 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.
WHERE THE GENERAL DIED.
The house where Gen. Rusk died has
been the family residence for many
years. Blue books, congressional di-
rectories and biographical dictionaries
give Gen. Rusk's occupation as that of
farmer, and rightfully. He owns one
of the finest farms in Vernon County.
T. &c l. &c