The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-22

hta AoAS 0AN AANSt"NtO
How He Rose from tho Humblest
Rank to High Positions in Military
and Civil Life.
VrRooUA, WIS. Nov. 2l.-Ex-secretary
of Agriculture Rusk died at s o'clock
this morning. The news came Ikea
bolt of Lightning from the sky. There
was not the slightest indication Of the
approaching end. Col. Henry Casson,
his former private secretary, left his
bedside at 0 o'clock last night and gave
to an assembled crowd Of the generals
friends the most positive assurances
that the crisis was surely passed.
General Rusk himself said, "Boys, Pm
better" Dr.. Gott and Mrs. Craig, the
generals eldest daughter, remained
with him during the night. He took
an unusuni amount OF milk and other
nourishment and slept good portion
OF the night. He had talked freely and
appeared the most reconciled to his
condition than at any time since he has
been sick. Yesterday was the first time
he admitted his apparent improved
condition.
General Rusk's death was due to a
complication OF disorders, the origin OF
which dates back several years. Nearly
ten years ago, while governor OF the
state, General RusG had first attack
similar to what prostrated him on his
last bed Of sickness. The physicians
then decided that the trouble was dis
order of the stomach. The treatment
at that time was successful in removing
the more severe symptoms and for some
time the general considered himself
cured. OF recent years, however, there
have been slight occurrences OF the at
tack and while not such severity as to
seriously impair the generals health
they have been warning Of what must
come in time.
+ HIS DISEASE.
Last year, while at the national en-
campment of the G. A. R., at Indianapo-
lis, General Rusk met Surgeon General
Hamilton and explained his disease to
him, and the physician made diagno-
sis OF the case. He decided that Gener-
al Rusk was suffering from an enlarge
menk OF the prostrate gland. Within
two months this enlargement Of the
glands caused the formation OF an ab-
scess near the bladder, aud the abscess
gradually involved the gland. Seven
weeks ago General Rusk's condition be-
Nt,ok ko nhI 10
take to his bed. Still no alarm was felt
for his life.
On November 10, DR.. Hamilton was
summoned from Chicago and consulta-
ton was held. 1t was decided that an
operation was necessary. Chloroform
was administered and the abscess was
opened, drainage tube being inserted.
The frequent re-insertion OF this tube
caused the general intense suffering,
and yesterday he stated to friends that
he could not endure having the tube
again inserted. 1t was not thought,
however, that death was sonear at hand
and the end was a shock to his friends.
WITHOUT WARNING.
Up to ten minutes OF dissolution he
talked with his watchers and appeared
to drop in peaceful sleep. Death came
without struggle and with no warning
whatever. Only DIR. Gott and one or
two members OF his family were present
to watch the fickering light go out.
The surgeons seem disinctined TO offer
any reason for the sudden and fatal
change in their patients condition.
A post mortem examination will be
1. Il af
Col. Rusk, who has been constantly at
his fathers bedside for two weeks, de-
parted for his home at Chippewa Falls
last night. Messages announcing the
death OF General Rusk have been sent
to Ex.President Harrison, members Of
the cabinet who were associated with
him and many other prominent persons
throughout the country. The funeral
will occur Friday.
The house where General Rusk died
has been the family residence for many
years. Blue books, congressional direc-
cries, and biographical dictionaries give
General Rusk's occupation as that OF
farmer, and rightfully. He owned one OF
the finest farms in Vernon county. 1t
lies north OF the village OF Viroqua, and
is in high state OF cultivation.
GENERAL RUsE's CAREER.
Jeremiah McLain Rusk was born in
Morgan county, Ohio, June II, 1880.
He worked on the home farm until he
was fifteen, and then engaged in driving
a stage between GAINESVILLE and Newark; /;
moved to Wisconsin in 1858 and opened
a hotel; was elected sheriff and to the
legislature. In 1862 he enlisted in the
war for the Union and was made major
of the Twenty.fitth Wisconsin. He
served with distinction throughout the
war and was with Sherman on his
march to the sea, as a colonel, COM
manding brigade. He was breveted
major general for gallant services. He
was member Of Congress from 1871 to
1877 and governor OF Wisconsin from
1881 to 1888. and was secretary Of agri.
culture in President Harrison's cabinet.
NO HoNoRS FOR THE DEAD.