The herald., 1896-02-08
LAWYER AND STATESMAN
Congressman and Candidate for
Vice-President
WILLIAM HAYDEN ENGLISH
Full Of Years and Honors, Joins the
Majority
Though Death Was Not Expected, 1t Came
Not as q Surprise to Family
and Friends

Associated Press Special Wire
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Feb. 7.-William H.
English died at his rooms in the Hotel
English today at II 80 pm.
Mr.. English had been ill with the grip
for two weeks. Several days ago rheuma-
tism set in and the hearts action became
bad. While his naturally strong constitu-
ton gave Mr.. English's friends strong hope
for his recovery, his condition has through
out been considered grave. For the past
three days he had lapses of unconscious
ness, and since last night he has been
able only at long intervals to recognize
those about him. Those present when
death came we're Mrs. Walling, Mr.. En-
glish's daughter, and her husband; DR..
Franklin Hays, the family physician /;
Mr.. English's private secretary and Will
E. English, his son.
Early this forenoon a consultation of
physicians was held and Mr.. Will E. Eng
lish was notified that his fathers condition
was hopeless. Tie end came even sooner
than was expected. During the forenoon
the patient was unconscious, but it was
possible to rouse him for an instant, and
once or twice he spoke in an incoherent
manner. Mr.. English died in the room in
has occupied so long. At 8 o'clock Mr..
English rallied for few minutes, and
calling his con to his bedside spoke his
name. He was unable to carry on a con-
versation and soon passed into uncon-
sciousness, from which he did not recover.
All forenoon friends of the family were
constantly calling at the hotel to make in
qnries about the distinguished patients
condition. Several times last night Mr.
English rallied sufficiently to talk to his
children. He realized that he would die,
and told them so. Later in the evening he
talked over his business affairs with his
son and left some instructions in refer
ence to the management of his vast for
tune,
He died in his workshop. Ever since he
erected the hotel he has had his office in
the corner of the hotel in which he died.
The bedroom was just off the large room
in which he managed his estate and in
which he worked and completed his VIC
tory. Within five steps of where he died
were great stacks of papers relating to his
private business and other stacks pertain
ing to the historical researches he made
during the last few years.
The news of the death soon passed
through the city, and within an hour many
citizens arrived at the hotel to offer their
services to the bereaved children. DR..
Walling, accompanied by his two sons,
Mrs. English's grandchildren, English
Walling, aged IS, and Wilioughby Walhng,
aged o. arrived from Chicago at 3 o'clock
last night. When it became apparent that
Mr.. English could not recover they were
telegraphed to como Immediately.
1t was announced, after the children had
consulted with friends of the family, that
the funeral would take place Sunday after
noon at o'clock. 1t was left with Mr.
burial will be at Crown Hill cemetery,
where Mrs. English is buried, and where
Mr.. English some time ago erected a
beautiful family monument.
William Hayden English was one of the
foremost advocates OF Democracy in the
great middle west. He was not a man of
forensic ability, but was a conservative
and an able lawyer and advocate. His
father was one of the pioneers of Indiana,
honored during forty years with many
public trusts. The deceased was educated
in the public schools and at Hanover col
lege. He studied law and at the age of 23
was admitted to practice in the United
States supreme court.
In 1850 he was secretary of the state
convention that gave to Indiana its pres
ent state constitution. During the admin
istration of President Polk he was clerk
in the treasury department. In 1852 he was
elected to congress as a Democrat and
served until 1861. Then he resigned and
engaged in the banking business. During
his congressional term he was prominently
identified with the legislation of the period.
being the author of a compromise measure
in relation to the admission of Kansas as
state.
1880 Mr.. English was the unanimous
nominee of the Cincinnati convention for
vice.president, General Winfield S. Han.
cock being the presidential nominee.
During the last years of his life Mr..
English lived retired l.fe and devoted his
time to literature. He was in the 74,h
year of his age at the time of his death.