The record-union., 1893-11-22
GENERAL RUSK DEAD.
OF AGRICULTURE
PASSES AWAY.
AS a Member of President Harrison's
Cabinet He Became Prominent
in Political Life.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
MADISON (Wis.), Nov. 81. General
jeremiah Rusk, ex-Secretary of Agri-
culture, died at his home at Viroqua at
o'clock this morning. Though not un-
expected, the announcement that the end
had come to the life of this strong and in
diyidual character in the political life of
the nation caused profound shock.
He had been i'll for some time, and dan
gerously so. but, up to day or two ag o,
it was thought his iron constitution would
pull him through. Since then, however,
his constantly falling strength led his
friends to anticipate the worst.
"Uncle jerry as he was affectiOnately
known, was familiar figure to every
resident of this city. No other man ever
brought here in official life won so many
friends, political and non-political, in the
Wisconsin Capital as he during his three
terms as Governor.
The flags are at the half-staff on all the
public buildings, and public meeting
was held in Governor Pecks Office TO ar
range for a. Especial train TO Niroqua to at
tend the funeral.
FLAG AT HALF-MAST.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2I.-The news of
the death of ex-Secretary Rusk was re-
ceived by his successor, Secretary Nor
ton, just as he left the office to attend a
Cabinet meeting. He at once ordered the
flag over the Agricultural building at
half-mast.
The building will not be closed on the
day of the funeral, according to custom,
legislative appropriation bill forbidding
such action.
THE TROUBLE THAT CAUSED DEATH.
VIRoQUA, Nov. 21.-The trouble with
General Rusk began in the form of dys-
pepsia, resulting in an enlargement of
the PROSTATE gland, followed by an alb
scess on the liver, finally involving the
gland. Seven weeks ago he was obliged
to take to his bed. November 10th it was
decided that a surgical operation was
necessary, and an opening was made and
drainage-tube was inserted. The re-
moval and reinsertiOn caused him eXcru-
ciating agony from time to time, but a
fatal ending even then was not consid-
cred certain. Up to ten minutes of his
death he talked with his watchers, and
appeared to drop into a peaceful sleep
from which he passed into the hereafter
without struggle.
A post-mortem will be held to deter
mine the immediate cause OF death. The
funeral is set for Friday.
The death of General Rusk was entirely
unexpected. Colonel Carson, former Pri-
yate Secretary, left his bedside at 9
o'clock last night, and gave friends the
most positive assurance that the crisis
had passed. General Rusk himself told
his physicians during the evening that Re
was better. He took the usual amount Of
nourishment and slept good portion of
the night. Death was due 10 a complica-
tion of disorders dating back several
years. No date has been set for the fu-
neral. 1t is probable that ex-President
Harrison aud at least some members of
the Cabinet of which Rusk was MEM
Der will attend the obsequies.
Ex-PREsIDENT HARRISON AFFECTED.
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 21.-Ex- President
Harrison was deeply affected by the
news of Rusk's death. He expressed
the deepest sorrow at the taking off of
the venerable member of his late official
family, and at once sent Mrs. Rnsk tel
egram of coincidence. He stated he would,
probably with x-Attorney-Gen Mill
Ter, attend the funeral.