The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-13
The SENATORIAL TOGA
SUPERSEDED BY THE ROBES OF
IMMORTALITY.

Senator Daniel W. Voorhees, Passes Away
at His Washington City Residence-His
Death, Though Appr-hended, Came Sud.
denly to Anxious Friends-An Eventful
Life C~losed-For Nearly Half a Century a
Prominent Figure in National Politics.
Washington. April 1O.-Daniel Wolsey
Voorhees,, ex-United States senator
from the state of Indiana, died at )
O'Clock this morning at his home in this
city, No. los Maryland avenue, y. E.
The senator lax been in poor health
for several years, and for at least two
years had taken little part in the pro-
ceedings in the senate. He had been
a constant sufferer from rheumatism
of the heart and his friends, therefore,
la come to expect that they might
hear Of his death suddenly. The last
reports Of him, however, were that he
was showing some signs Of improve
ment, and his death, therefore, while
not entirely unexpected, came with the
suddenness of a shock.
Mr.. Voorhees, death was caused by
an attack of angina pectoris. The SEN
ator's health was SO poor during the
recent political campaign that he could
not participate in it, but after his re-
turn to Washington in November he
! seemed to improve in health. Two
| weeks ago the old rheumatic troubles
returned and three days ago they be-
came even more alarming, but the SEN
atOr still did not confine himself to his
bed, and his family felt no immediate
alarm.
1t was not, indeed, until half an hour
before the final came that
anyone realized that death was near.
| The senator's son, Reese N. Voorhees,,
/ had remained in the room with his
father during the night and was awak-
ened about 4 o'clock this morning by
his father, who was then suffering
great pain in the region of the heart.
He refused, however, to allow a physi-
clan to be called, saying that the pain
would pass away. Half an hour later
he appeared much better and got out
Of bed to walk to the bath room, his
son being with him. When they en-
tered the hallway the senator was at
attacked by a more severe spasm than
he had yet experienced and fell in a
semi-consciOus condition into his sons
arms. The latter carried the now dy-
ing man back to his bed and sum-
moned Dr.. Shoup, a neighboring ply
sician. 1t was too late, however, for
any aid to be of avail, and the ex-sen-
ator passed away without regaining
full consciousness. Only his son Reese,
his daughter, Miss Halle Voorhees,, and
the physician were present when he
died.
The remains will be taken to Terre
Haute, Ind, the senator's home for SO
many years, for interment, but just
when is not yet determined.
When the news of Senator Voorhees,
death became knOwn at the capitol to-
day expressions Of deep sorrow were
heard. The senator had been SO long
in public life that he was known to
every employee about the building, and
all felt an affectionate regard for him
because of his uniformly kindly treat
ment of them.
senator Voorhees, was 20 years of age
last September, and prior to his re-
tirement from public life on March 4th
last had been for many years one Of
the most picturesque figures in the sem
ate. He was born in Liberty town
ship, Ohio. and in his early infancy
was carried by his parents to their
pioneer home in the Wabash valley in
Indiana. In 1S4S he graduated from
the Indiana Asbury (now Depauw uni
oIld III law I'LL L
practice in 1851. His first public office
was entered upon in 1858, since which
time he has been almOst continuously
in the public service. nat office w "a
/ United States district attorney for In
diana. His congressional career began
in 1861. He served in the house Of rep
r~esentatives for five terms. In his au-
) TOPOGRAPHY he said that he was de-
feated for the FOrty-third ongres only
by the nomination Of Greeley, on his
the democratic ticket. He came into
the senate in 1877 by appointment tC
fill the a caused by the death
of Oliver P. Morton. and because OF
his long experience in the house, was
assigned Immediately to the finance
committee, a very unusual honor in the
case of a new senator. He retained his
connection with that committee, being
it's chairman during the last demo-
cratic era in that body, and was a lead
, ing figure in all debates Involving Ques-
; lions of finance or tariff.
In appearance Senator Voorhees, was
one of the most striking figures in the
senate. He was Familiarity known as
, the Tall Sycamore of the Wabash by
reason of his large and magnificent
, proportional figure. AS an orator he
, had few peers, commanding a magnifi.
/ cent vocabulary and imbuing his utter.
ances with a degree of earnestness anC
: feeling that strangely Influenced his
: auditors.
49, -~--