The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-04
DAVID SWING is DEAD
CHICAGO'S NOTED DIVINE DIES OF
ACUTE BLOOD POISONING.
Career of One of the Best-KnOwn
Theologians I'm the Countrywide
Trial ON Charges of Heresy.

STiiCA1o, Oct- 5.-HrO1eSSOr DAVID Swing
died at $40 o'clock tonight of acute blood
poisoning, brought on by an attack of jaun-
dice. This morning Professor Swings tenn
p%erature was very high. He gave no signs
of consciousness. The physicians attending
him would not say anything. but from their
actions and careful attendance upon him
1T was plain that they regarded his condi-
ton as being critical. and that there was
only the merest shadow of hope for his
life. Late in the afternoon the physicians
announced that blood poisoning had set in,
and that the patients death could only be
a matter of a few hours. Every possible
restorative was applied in vain, and ten
minutes after s o'clock Professor Swing
was dead.
Rev. David Swing was born April IS, 1880,
In cincinnati He was of German origin,
about the year 1726. The father was a
steamboat man on the Ohio river, and
David was his youngest son. His mother
was a devout Christian. and it was to her
influence and training that her son was
indebted for his early bent toward psety.
When David was only seven years cid his
mother married again, the family remov-
ing TO Reedsburg, o., and later TO a farm
near Williamsburg. o., where David, then
a boy of eleven, was occupied in bucoiic
duties and attended school in the winter.
So he spent the next eight years of his
life. At the age of eighteen he prepared
himself TO enter the Miami University, at
Oxford. O.. and for the next four years
he pursued his studies in that institution,
graduating in 1852. On leaving the uni
versity he commenced the study of divin-
ity under Rev. DR.. Rice, of Cincinnati,
but was soon called to his alma mater,
being offered the chair of Greek and Latin,
which he accepted, and for thirteen years
filled the chair of professor of ancient Ian
guages. 1t was at this time that he mar
ried Eliza beth Porter. a most estimable
lady. daughter of DIR. Porter, of Oxford.
who has been. indeed, a helpmeet and COM
oanion worthy of her husband.
In 1866 Professor Swing wen to Chicago
as pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian
Church. He speedily became popular, and
the North Presbyterian Church seeking a
union with the Westminster. the two were
joined under the name of the Fourth Pres
byterian church. of which he became pas
tor. Here he labored until the time Of the
great fire in October. 1871, which swept
away the church and the homes of it's peo-
pie, Professor Swing saving nothing from
the conflagration except his wife and two
daughters, who spent the night with him
without shelter on the open prairie. For a
year after the fire he preached In Stand
ard Hall. then in McVicker's Theater. Upon
the rebuilding of the Fourth Presbyterian
Church he reassumed the duties of his for
mer pastorate, which position he continued
70 hold until 1874. when the celebrated trial
Of heresy was begun, and the Professor,
after a lengthy contest, terminated the con-
troversy by resigning. Since that time he
has been at the head of an Independent
congregation of Christians, who worshiped
in Central Music Hall.
The Professors trial before the Chicago
Presbytery on a charge of heresy, pre-
now president of the Princeton College.
was not a noted event of its kind. These
charges, Of which there were twenty-eight
doctrine, We're not sustained, there being
sixty-one members in the presbytery and
only thirteen votes against him. But the
~ xuQG Cn hiffar that prnf
Swing brought matters to a close by re-
signing his pastorate,. a large. number of
Central Church. in which Prof. swing has
labOred with great success:
David Swing was recognized everywhere
as one of the foremost preachers of this
age. His reputation was worldwide. His
scholarly essays have been read with pleas
ure by thinkers. and his blameless life
erful reasoner, the great brain, worthy of
his German ancestry, he took. a broad and
comprehensive ,, xlew or bo an Things, ana es,
must be the element of pity In God, who
created us. and who will not let us perish
miserably forever.
The older of these. Miss Marion. married
Jewett f. Kicker over twenty years ago.
The Younger MISS Helen. married Mason son
only members of his immediate family who
survive. Mrs. Swing having died in 1879.
other Deaths.
BELOIT, Wis, Oct. 3.-The death Of Mrs.
Minerva Brace Norton, wife of the Rev.
s. Norton, occurred to-day, after a 1inger-
ing illness. She was the cousin and early
companion of Frances Willard, and author
of "A Great Mother" "a True Teacher
and other popular books. Miss Willard was
with her at the deathbed.
LONDON, Oct. 3.-Algernon Percy Banks
st. Mauf, fourteenth Duke of Somerset, is
dead, aged eighty-one years.
PARIS, Oct. 3.-Victor KONG, a former
husband of Jane Hading. the actress. Is
dead.