The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-10
VOORHEES, DEAD.
The Tall Sycamore of the Wa
bash Laid Low
BY Death at His Home In Wash
fngtOn This Morning.
DIACRHEUMATISM
Was the Immediate Cause of
His Demise
Though He Had Been in Poor
Health for Two Years.

Washington, April 1O.-Daniel VOL
sey Voorhees,, ,ex- United States senator
from the state of Indiana died at five
o'clock this morning at his home in this
city, 1O5 Maryland avenue, Northeast.
The senator has 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
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.
At the time of his retirement from
the senate, the tall Sycamore of the
Wabash, as he was affectiOnately call
ed by his devoted followers in the
Hoosier state was the ranking Demo-
crat on the finance committee and by
virtue of this position the nominal lead
er at least of his party on the floor of
the senate on tariff and financial queS-
tfOns. He was not very active, how
ever, owing to his i'll health, in the work
on the Wilson tariff bill, most of the
numerous senate amendments to this
bill and its final passage after a stormy
career in which it was in danger sew
eral 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
fnal accomplishment of the repeal was
due largely to the effective support he
rendered to the Cleveland administra-
ton which had made the repeal one of
It's chief purposes. The finance commit
tee at this time was almost evenly di-
vided on the financial question and the
balance of power in the committee lay
practically with Mr.. Voorhees,.
Mr.. Voorhees, was 76 years of age last
September and prior to his retirement
from public life on March 4, last, had
been for many years one of the most
picturesque figures in the senate. He
was born in Liberty township, Buffalo
county, Ohio, and in his early infancy
was carried by MS parents to their pf-
oneer home in the Wabash valley, In
diana. In 1S49, he graduated from the
Indiana (nOw Depauw) university and
studying law began its practice in 1851.
His first public office was entered upon
in 1858
Mr.. voorhees, death was caused by
an attack of angina pactoris. The SEN
atOr's health was so poor during the re-
cent 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 return
ed and three days ago his condition
became even more alarming, but the
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 with his father during
the night and was awakened about
O'Clock this morning by his father, who
was then Suner1ng great pain IN the
region of the heart. He refused, how
ever, to allow a physician to be called,
saying the pain would pass away. Half
an hour later, he appeared much bet
ter 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 a more severe
spasm than he had yet experienced and
fell in a semi-cOnsciOus condition into
his sons arms. The latter carried the
summoned Dr. Shoup, neighboring
physician. 1t was too late, however,
for any aid to be of avail, and the ex-
senator soon passed away without re-
gaining full consciousness. Only his
son, Reese, his daughter, Miss Hattie
Voorhees, and the physicians were pres
ent 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. The time
Will depend upon the word received
from his eldest son, Charles Voorhees,
who resides in the state of Washing
ton.
The senator is survived by three sons,
GnaIlGSs IAteSG 4N+s anu JAIlGS 9a4lOu
and one daughter Miss Hattie, all of
whom except the first named, reside in
Washington
When the news of Senator Voorhees,
death became known at the capitol to-
day expressions of deep sorrow were
heard.
The senator has been so long in pub
lie life that ne was known to every en-
ploye about the building and all felt an
regard for him because of
his uniformly kind treatment of them
1t was generally remarked as fitting
that Senator Voorhees, should die as he
did. within a stones throw of the beau
tiful new congressional library build
ing and as particularly sad that he
should not have lived to witness the
opening of the institution which is soon
to take place. He had introduced the
first resolution looking to the erection
of this building and had watched it rise
from the foundation stones with all the
pride of a creator.