The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-10-13
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
Sudden Demise of the Famous Poet
and Essayist in Boston.
he Had Been In Feeble Health for a Iona
Time. and S~uccurnbed at Last to an
Asthmatic Dificulty-Bio-
graphical Sketch.

tioluleS, LdiuOuS us d pOeI anu dulilOT,
died at his residence in Beacon street
at 12:15 p. m. to-day from a complica-
ton of diseases. DIR. Holmes had been
in feeble health for a long time, and,
although an iron constitution had long
bafied disease, it was at last shattered.
passed quietly with his family by his
bedside.
Heart failure was the immediate
cause of his death. An asthmatic diff
Guilty also assisted in the final breaking
down of the aged "Autocrat." Ten
days ago DIR. Holmes returned to his
Beacon street residence from his sum-
mer home at Beverly Farms. Before
that time slight symptoms OF improve
ment in his condition were noted and
the removal was thought desirable.
This proved very fatiguing, and the
doctor did not regain his former condi-
ton. Last Friday a sudden attack of
heart failure seized him, which. with
the lo~Dg-standing asthmatic trouble,
Frustrated him, but this morning he had
apparently recovered. After the physi-
clans had gone, however, the doctor was
seized with a severe spasm. and before
medical aid could be called he had
passed away. He was unconscious for
a short time previous TO his death.
Around his beside were gathered the
members of his family. Judge Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Jr., the only sur
viving son: Mrs. Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Jr., and Edward j. Holmes, nephew of
the poet.
lOliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cam
bridge. Mass, August -, 1909. was the son of
Rev. Abiel and Sarah (WendelD Holmes. His
father was a Congregational minister, the au-
thor OF Annals of America" and other works;
his mother descended from a Dutch ancestor.
and was related to many well-known families
in New England and New York. He entered
Harvard college at the age of IS, and graduated
In what became a famous class In 1879. He began
the study OF law. and after a year gave it up,
and entered upon the study of medicine.
After the customary course at the medical
school of Harvard he spent over two years in
the hospitals and schools of Europe. chiefly in
Paris; and after his return home took the de-
gree of N. d. in 1886. Three years later he
was professor Of anatomy and physiology at
Dartmouth college, but after two years serv-
ice he resigned and engaged in general rrac-
tice in Boston. He married in 1910 Amelia Lee
Jackson. daughter OF q justice OF the supreme
court OF Massachusetts. Three children were
born OF the marriage, of whom one, o. W.
Holmes, Jr.. served rs captain in the civil war,
and is a Judge and eminent writer upon legal
subjects. In 1877 he was appointed professor
of anatomy at Harvard, which place be held
until 1882. He was highly respected as a man
of science. and beloved as an instructor; but
as time went on his literary genius quite over
bore his professional zeal, and it is as Il poet
and essayist that he will be -emembered.
He began writing verse while an uuder-
graduate. but his first efforts were not remark
able. While in the law school he contributed
to the "Collegian" u few poems of a light and
humorous character which first gave indica-
tons of his future power: among these are
Evening by q Tailor" and the Height of the
Ridiculous" There is a Renaissance of his
life in Paris in the tender poem: "Ah, Glenn
ents! When 1 Saw Thee Last" A little later
was written The Last Leaf" Twenty years
passed with desultOry efforts and n slowly
growing power, when. by the publication of the
"Autocrat of the Breakfast Table he became
famous. No literary efforts since the .Noctes"
had more strongly affected the reading world.
This success was due to its fresh and conven-
tional tone, its playful wit and wisdom, and
to the lively vignettes of verse. BY his
own generation he will be
cAN' t1AnOA " II nSu-
est sense. His intellect was keen and power
full; his observation instructive. and his en-
thusiasm and energy would have carried
through a man of less brilliant parts. He was
q man Of his own century, and among the most
advanced. Among specimens Of his varied
powers may be cited the Last Leaf" already
mentioned, the 'Chambered Nautilus
'~Grandmother's Story" (f the battle of Bun
ker Hill, Sun and Shadow" For the Burns
Centennial" ION Lending a Punch Bowl"
and The One-Hoss Shay" He was especially
happy in his tributes to brother poets. as to
Eongfellow. as to Lowell. and as to Whittier
on his seventeen birthday.
During the civil war he wrote many passion
ate lyrics on the defense of the union -proba-
bly, the best patriotic songs OF the time.
But it appears that his fame will rest chiefly
the 'Autocrat.' the Professor and
certain of his poems. or his writings in gen.
eral it has been said that his sparkling wit and
flowing humor are evident to the most casual
reader, while a closer study reveals other and
more stately qualities which gave him a place
among the great writer's of the time.
OF his other works mag he mentioned:
1850; Currents and Counter
currents" 1851: Elsie Venner q Romance OF
Destiny 1861; Border Lands in Some
OF Medical Science" 1862: Songs on
Many Keys" 1854; "Soundings From the At
.lantic," 1854; Humorous POEMS" 1865; The
Angel" 1868; Mechanism in
and Morals" 1870; Songs
of Many Seasons 1874; John L. Mot
Icy. a Memoir" 1873; Medical Essays"
1888: Pages From an Old Volume OF Life"
1888; Ralph Waldo Emerson, :" 1896: "A Mortal
Antipathy," ''Our Hundred Days in Europe"
1887; Before the Curfew." 1885, and numerous
poems recited at various reunions and dinners.
As q writer OF songs, lyrics and poems for
festive occasions, he long occupied the first
place.
In 1885 he visited England. where he was re-
ceived with great cordiality. Editions of his
poems have appeared from time to
time, the first in 1886. He had contributed
to current medical literature. as well as
to literary journals and reviews. and for q long
time held a warm place in the hearts of the
people as q lecturer. A series OF genial papers
from his pen entitled Over the Tea Cups ap-
peared in the Atlantic Monthly during 1890.
The latter years Of his life have been spent
in Qniet retirement at Beverly Falls Farm.
broken occasionally by q lecture to the Har-
studentS.l
With DIR. Holmes demise the last Of
the noted men of the year hat pro-
duced Gladstone, Poe, Lincoln and
others has passed away except Eng
lands Grand Old Man.
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