The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-19
NOTED CHICAG0AN DEAD
WASHINGTON HEsING, OF THE ILL
NCIs STATS ZEITUNG.
Died of Heart Disease Soon After Re-
turning Home from His business
Sketch Of His Career.

CHICAGO, Dec. 1S.--Washington Hesing,
proprietor of the Illinois Stats Zeitung,
one of the leading German papers of the
Northwest, and postmaster OF Chicago dur
ing the last term of President Cleveland,
died suddenly this afternoon of heart dis
ease at his home on Michigan avenue. Mr..
Hesing had been i'll for several days with
a severe cold but was rapidly recovering,
and his death a heavy shock to his
family and friends. During the afternoon
he was down town and attended to several
business matters, returning to his residence
shortly after 8 o'clock. Mrs. Hesing at the
time was out shopping, and the last person
who spoke to Mr.. Hesing was a servant
girl, whom he met in the hallway on the
way to his room. A few minutes after
o'clock the girl went to Mr.. HesiEg's room
on am Grand and when she entered he was
half-sitting, half-reclining on a sofa, with
his head supported by his hand. He was
breathing heavily but there was nothing
unusual in his appearance, and the girl,
supposing him to be asleep, went out as
softly as possible in order to avoid rousing
him. From that time until o'clock, when
Mrs. Hesing returned he was alone in the
room His wife noticed at once on enter
ing the room that he was very ill, and
quickly summoned assistance, but by the
time medical aid was at hand Mr.. Hesing
was dead. The physicians declared that he
mad died of heart disease, and said that in
all probability they could not have saved
him had they reached him before life was
extinct.
Six years ago Mr.. Hesing was troubled
by the action of his heart, and physicians
warned him that he must be careful to
avoid all excitement and vigorous exercise,
but, being to all appearances a man of ro-
bust health and great physical strength, he
laughed at their advice, and made no
change in his habits Of life.
Washington Hesing was born at Cincin-
natl, May IA, 1S49 He was the son of Anton
c. Hesing and Louisa Hesing. Up to 1861
young Hesing attended the city schools of
Chicago, his father having removed to that
city in 1854. In 1866 he entered the examina-
tons at Harvard University but failed to
pass. Without sending any word to his par
ents he at once took the examination for
entrance to. Yale, and was admitted, gradu-
ating with a degree. The year following
his graduation he entered the University of
Berlin and took special course in politi-
cal economy and German literature. In
1872 he began active work on the Stats
prietor, and in a few years after became
the managing editor of the paper. From
the time of his connection with the paper
Mr.. HeSing took an active interest in poll
tics, and when but twenty-five years of
age he was appointed a member of the
Board of Education, and on his retirement
Mayor Medill offered him a second term,
which he declined. AS a public speaker he
first came into prominence during the sec
ond Grant campaign, in which he sup
ported Grant in vigorous manner. Shortly
after 1880 he left the ranks of the Repub-
lican party and became a Democrat. In
1893 he sought the nomination for mayor of
Chicago, but was defeated by the elder Car
ter Harrison. In 1894 he was appointed
postmaster of the city by President Cleve-
land and held this office until early in the
spring of 1897, when he resigned to accept
the Independent nomination for mayor, but
defeated in the contest following. AL
though German by descent and in many
of his tastes, Mr.. Hesing was in his political
earnest American.