The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-23
REV. N. S. DICKEY DEAD
ONE OF THE OLDEST PREsBYTER-
IAN MINISTER'S II INDIANA.
Amputation of a Leg at City Hospital
His Friendship with Harriet
Beecher stowe.

Rev. Ninian S. Dickey, one of the Oldest
Presbyterian ministers in Indiana, died yes
terday afternoon, at the City Hospital. His
death was peaceful and he passed away
surrounded by the members of his family.
Two weeks ago Mr.. Dickey suffered a
severe surgical operation, but was rapid
ly recovering. A few days ago 1t was
thought by the hospital physicians that
he would be able to leave the institution
within a fortnight, so rapid was his re-
covery from the effects of the operation.
The direct cause of death was hemorrhage
of the lungs. For several years Mr.. Diekey
had suffered from tuberculosis of the knee
joint. Lately the ailment grew so pain
full that his physicians advised him to have
the diseased leg amputated. 1t was with
this purpose in view that he was removed
from his home, at No. 564 College avenue,
to the City Hospital the first of the month.
March IL the operation was performed.
Thursday evening the patient was unusually
bright, and to the superintendent of the
hospital expressed the hope that he might
be able to return to his family in a few
days. He slept well Thursday night, but
awakened at 6 O'Clock yesterday morning,
complaining of nausea. Shortly afterward
he was taken with a violent hemorrhage,
and other attacks rapidly followed. He
died about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
DR.. Wright. superintendent of the hospital.
thinks that the hemorrhage started from
a tubercular deposit in one of the lungs.
He does not believe that death resulted from
the amDutation.
Mr.. Dickey was seyenty-two years of age
and was one of the pioneers of the Presby-
terrain Church. He died after forty-three
years of almost constant service in the pull
pit. He was born in 1928, at New Washing
ton, Ind. where the Garner years of his life
were spent. He was the son of John NJ.
Dickey, who was the first Presbyterian
minister installed in Indiana. The son was
educated at Wabash College from which in
ward he took a thorough theological course
in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, and immedi-
1851 he succeeded his father as the pastor
of the Presbyterian Church at New Wash
ihTee va remain q tb with End me Of co abIT Sarin1 for or
was called to the huf CHI at Columbus, Ind.
He labored there. for nearly eighteen years
congregation at Mattoon, Ill. The result of
his work at Nation was the uniting of the
old and new. schools of the Presbyterian
complished, the pastor left the church in
charge of another minister and went to
four-years service at Greenville. ILL.,, fol-
lowed and then his work took him to
Mendoza and Hillsbo%ro: III. and to Min lin
Dickey resided at Danville, Ind, preaching
to the Presbyterian congregation at that
the Olive-street Church of this city. His
last work in the ministry was at Brooks
ton, Ind. For the last two years he lived
quietly with his son at No. 564 College
avenue. Although he was not able to pur-
sue his active work in the pulpit, he spent
days before his removal to the hospital he
was engaged in the preparation of church
history. He was a regular eontrt6utor to
iodical contained an article from his pen.
shortly after he completed his course of
married to Miss Jane Davis, of New Wash
ington, who died in June, 1893.
While a theological student at Cincin-
natl, Mr.. Dickey enjoyed an intimate ac-
quaintance with the family of Harriet
Beecher stowe, the famous author. During
his last y year ~ IN 1 the ssi1 b !, hG a wa5 q
close friend of DIR. Stowe, one of the chief
instructors of the school. The admiration
of the venerable preceptor for the student
was so great at the conclusion of the lat
ter's season. iii college that he was not per-
Keepsake. When Mr.. Dickey returned to
his home he brought with him a quaint
little heating stove. For years afterward
it was his delight to point out the relic as
an important feature in the literary work
of Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the stove by
M @I1ncle T CABIN Mr.. Dickey was a
man possessed of wonderful courage and
the strongest convictions. During the OPP
Grafton performed at the hospital he dis
played the innate bravery that was char
acteristic of his nature. When about to
AXE his place on the operating table he
was asked by DR.. Woodburn if. he was
N..No.'' he said. 81 am not He realized
that he was about to be subjected to a
severe surgical experiment and watched
every movement of the physicians as they
prepared an anesthetic. AS the drug was
about to be administered he turned to his
con who stood near.
II think I will say Links prayer he
said, referring to his little grandson. Then
closing his eyes he calmly recited the
simple little verse, Now l lay me down to
Sleep etc. He passed through the opera
ton without accident, and his family in
dulged in the hope that he would be speedi-
" Returned to them. Although they knew
hat their father was in delicate health.
of his sudden death. Mr.. Dickey leaves
three sons and two daughters. They are
w. D. Dickey, of Neoga, ILL.,; Solomon c.
hickey, Of this city, Henry S; Diekey; of
DanviIie, Ind, and Misses Bessie and Char
Iotte Dickey, both of this city. Rev. Solo
mon c. Dfckey, the eldest son, is State
Superintendent of Presbyterian missions.
The funeral win take place from the home
of. the latter, No. 564 College avenue. Rev.
DR.. Haines will conduct the service, as
sisted by Rev. Mr.. Ballard, of Memorial
Church