The herald., 1897-04-11
No Longer Towers Above
His Fellows
THE AK IS LAID AT THE ROOT
TELLING A KING OF THE Po.
LITICAL FOREST
Ux-United States Senator Voorhees,
of Indiana Leaves the Memory
of Life Well Spent
Associated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON, April 10.-Daniel
Wolsey Voorhees,. ex-United States Sem
ator from the State of Indiana, died at
o'clock this morning at his home in this
health for several years, and at least for
two years past had taken little part in
the proceedings in the Senate. He had
been a constant sufferer from rheuma-
tism of the heart. and his friends there
fore had come to expect that they might
hear of his death suddenly. The last
of him. however, showed
some signs of improvement, and his
death, therefore, while not entirely un-
expected, came with the suddenness Of
a shock.
At the time of his retirement from the
senate, the Tall Sycamore of the Wa
BASH" as he was affectionately called
by his followers in the Hoosier state.
was the ranking Democrat on the finance
committee, and by virtue of this position
the nominal leader, at least of his party.
on the floor of the senate on the tariff
and financial questions. He was not
very active, however. owing to i'll health.
In the work of the Wilson tariff bill. in
the repeal of the Sherman silver law,
the Hoosier senator, however. took
very prominent part. 1t was his last
important part in the senate.
Voorhees, death was caused by an at
tack of angina pectoris. The senator's
health was so poor during the recent
political campaign that he could not
participate in it, 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 he became more alarm
ingly i'll, but the senator did not confine
himself to bed, and the family felt no
immediate alarm 1t was not, indeed,
until half hour beforu the final sum-
mons came that any one thought death
was near. The senator's sor, Reese
Voorhees,, had remained in the room
with his father during the night. and
was awakened about o'clock this morn
ing by his father. who was then suffer-
ing great pain in the region of the
heart. He refused, however, to call the
saying the pain would pass
away Half an lour later he appeared
much better and got out of bed to walk
to the bath room, his son being with
him. When they entered the hallway
the senator was attacked by more Sc
we're spasm than he had yet experienced,
and fell in a semi-conscious condition
nto his sons arms The latter carried
him back to bed and summoned the doc
tor. 1t was too late, however. The
senator soon passed away without re-
gaining consciousness. His son Reese,
his daughter, Miss Hattie Voorhees,,
and the physician were present when he
died. The remains will be taken to
Terre Haute, Ind, the senator's home
for many years, for interment.
The senator is survived by three sons,
Charles. Reese and Paxton. and daugh-
ter, Miss Halle, all of whom except the
first named reside in Washington.
When the news of Senator Voorhees,
death became known at the capital to-
day expressions of deep sorrow were
heard. The senator had been so long in
public life that he was known /by al
attaches of the building and all felt
pang of regret because of his courteous
treatment of them.
Mr.. VOORHEES, was "A years old last Sep
tember, and previous to his retirement
from public life on March 4th last had
been for many years one of the most pic
turesque figures in the senate.
He was born in Liberty township But
Ter county, Ohio, and in his early in
fancy was carried by his parents to
their pioneer home in the Wabash val
ley. Indiana.
In 1914 he graduated from the Indiana
Asbury. now Depauw university. and
studying law. began its practice in 1851.
His first public office was entered upon
in 1854, since which time he has been
almost continuously in the public SER
vice. That office was United States
His congressional career be-
gan in 1861. He served in the house Of
representatives for five terms. In his
autobiography he said he was defeated
he nomination of Greeley on his (the
Democratic) ticket.
He came to the senate in 1877 by ap-
pointment to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Oliver P. Morton and from
his long experience in the house was as
signed Immediately to the finance COM
mittee, an unusual honor In rh0 case OF
! new senator. Moreover, he retained his
with that committee, being itU
chairman during the last Democratic era
N that body, and was a leading dgure in
Ill the debates involving questions of
nance or tariff.
Senator VOORHEES, was one Of the ar
lent admirers and supporters of the
yreenback currency and beginning hi0
senatorial service with most eloquent
peech in favor of the preservation ns
The full legal tender quality to this
money. he never abated at any time his
advocacy of the greenback.
In appearance Senator Voorhees, was
me of the most striking figures In the
enate. He was Familiarity known asthe
Tall Sycamore Of the Wabash, by rea-
on of his large and maguiiicsDt1y pro-
,ortioned figure. As an orator he had
ew peers. commanding mAgni1cent