Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-11
DANIEL W. VOORHEES, DEAD
Demise of Figure Long Prominent in
Democratic Circles.
SPENT THIRTY YEARS IN coNeatss
Had Bccn I'm Poor Health for over
Year md wus Unable to Take
Any Part In the Inst Presi-
Dental Campaign.

WASHINGTON, April 10-Daniel Wolsey
Voorhees,, ex-Untcd States senator from the
state OF Indiana, died at 8 O'Clock this morn
ing at his home in this city, 105 Mary
land avenue, northeast.
The senator had been In poor health for
several years and for at least two years past
had taken little part in the proceedings in
the senate. He had been a constant sufferer
from rheumatism Of the heart and his friends
therefore had come to expect that they might
hear Of his death suddenly. The last re-
ports from him. however, were that he was
showing some signs of Improvement. There
fore, while not entirely unexpected, The news
came with the suddenness of shock.
The "Tall Sycamore OF the Wabash" as
he was familarly called by his devoted fol-
lowers In the IIoosier state. had just COM
ple5ed his twentieth year in the senate,
giving place to Charles W. Fairbanks re-
publican. He was not very active, however,
during tba last year, owing to his ill-heaith,
In the work on the Wilson traiif bill, though
a leading member Of the committee. most
OF the numerous senate amendments to this
bill and It's lnal passage after a stormy
career, in which 1t was in serious danger
several times, being due to Senator Jones Of
Arkansas.
In the repeal of the Sherman silver law
the Hoosier senator, however, took very
prominent part. 1t was his last important
work in the senate and the final accomplish
ment Of the repeal was due largely to the
effective support he rendered to the Cleve-
land administration, which had made the
repeal one Of its chief purposes. The finance
committee at this time was almost evenly
divided on the financial question and the
balance of power in the committee lay prac-
tically with Mr.. Voorhees,.
END WAS UNEXPECTED.
AZ
tack Of angina pectoris. The senator's
health was so poor during the recent pollti-
cal campaign that he could not participate
in 1t, but after his return to Washington
In November he seemed to improve In health
Two weeks ago the old rheumatic troubles
returned and three days ago his condition
became even more alarming but the sena-
tor did rot confine himself to his bed, and
his family felt no immediate alarm. 1t was
not. indeed. until half an hour before the
final summons came that any one realized
death was near
The senator's son, Reese N. Voorhees,, had
remained in the room with his father during
the night, and was awakened about 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
physician to be called, saying the pain
would pass away. Half an hour later he ap-
peired much better and got out of bed to
walk to the bathroom, his son being with
him. When they entered the hallway the
senator was attacked by more severe
spasm than he had yet experienced, and fell
in semi conscious condition into his
sons arms. The latter carried the now
dying man back to his bed and summoned
DR.. Shoup, neighboring physician. 1t was
too late, however, for any aid to be of avail
and the ex-senator passed away without re-
gaining full consciousness. Only his son
Reese and his daughter, Miss Halle Voor-
hees aud the physicians were present when
he died.
,,,,lI I,, +,lyn 70 Han tn
Ind the senator's home for so many years,
for interment. but Just when is not yet de-
termined. The time will depend upon the
word received from his eldest son, Hon.
Charles Voorhees,, who resides in the state
of Washington. The senator is survived by
three sons, Charles, Rees N. and James FAX
ton and one daughter Miss Halle, all OF
whom except the first named reside In Wash
ington.
When the news of Senator Voorhees, death
became known at the capitol today express
sions OF deep sorrow were heard The sena-
tor has been so long in public life that he
was known to every employe about the puiio- 10
ing, and all felt an affectionate regard for
him because OF his uniformly kind treatment
OF them.
It was generally remarked as fitting that
Senator Voorhees, should have died as ne
did within a stones throw OF the beautiful
new congressional library building, and as
particularly sad that he should not have
lived to witness the opening of this institu-
ton, which iS soon to take place. he mad
introduced the first resolution locking to the
erection of this building and had watched
1t rise from the foundation stones with all
the pride of creator. II will stand In
large part a monument to the Indiana
senator's memory.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Daniel Wolsey Voorhees, was born Septem-
ber &C. 1927, in Liberty township, Butler
county, Ohio, and in his early infancy was
carried by his parents to their pioneer home
In the Wabash valley OF Indiana; grad
uated from the Indiana Asbury (now DePauw
university in 1S49; studied law and COM
-Ynenced the practice OF that profession in
1851; was appointed United States district
attorney for Indiana in 1858 and held that
office until he entered congress in 1861; was
elected to the Thirty Thirty eighth
Thirty ninth, Forty-frst and Forty
congresses; was defeated for the Forty-third
congress by reason Of the nomination of
Horace Greeley as the democratic candidate
for president; was appointed United States
senator to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Oliver p. Morton and took his seat
November ~, 1877; was Immediately assigned
to the committee on finance as his leading
committee, and has been member of that