Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-29

Washington. Dec. 27.-Hon. Justin S. ,
Morrill,, the senior senator from Vermont ?
died at Is minutes past 1 O'CLOCK this
morning in the S9th year of his age. after
an illness of less than week. with him
when tho end came was his sister-.n-law'
Miss Louise Swan, his son James. AT.
Benjamin Durfee, for long time asso-
ciated with the senator in the finance
committee work at the capitol ana Col >.
r.. Chamberlain, an intimate friend SEN
ator Proctor was in the house at the time
a. we're also several other friends. ne
senator never recovered from the uncon-
sclous state into which he lapsed ealy in
tho day and his death was calm ana
peaceful.
The immediate cause of death was pncG-
monia which developed from an attack of
the grip contracted about week ago.
The venerable senator was confined to
his home but seven days. Despite his ad-
VanCed age he attended to his senatorial
duties faithfully and regularly went to
the Capitol About ten days ago the wea-
Their here was cold, raw and foggy ana
his physician thinks that exposure to Its
rlgors brought on the attack of grip. Tho
day before Congress adjourned for the
Christmas holidays the senator was I'M
able to leave his residence. He grew no
better as the days went on, his low vital
ity duo TO advanced age, being unable
ii developed into pneumonia and from that
time until the end he sank steadily.
No definite funeral arrangements have
vet been made. It is altogether likely
that public services will be held In the
Senate chamber but just when cannot be
stated. The remains Of Mrs. Morrill, VINO
died during the present year are now in N
vault at Rock Creek Cemetery near this
city and it may be that the Senator's body
will be deposited there pending removal
to STAFFORD, VT, where "a mausoleum IS
now in course of construction.
Senator Morrill, was first taken i'll on
the Wednesday evening following the ad-
journment Of Congress for the holidays.
He had been attending the sessions OF
the Senate assiduously and as far as any
one could see was enjoying particularly
good health. Some of his friends had re-
monstrated with him for going out so
much in the rainy weather but he seem
ed to have a pride in Drawing the ele-
ments He appears to have overestimated
his endurance for last Wednesday even
ing he was taken down with the grip and
since that time has not left the house,
Two years ago the venerable senator
had a similar attack of the grip and his
illness in this instance did not alarm him.
lie declared that it was nothing but n
cold and refused to call in a physician
TIL Saturday, when he had been growing
steadily worse Dr. John Van Rensselaer,,
a next door neiShbor, did all he could to
aid the aged senator to recovery but 1t
was too late and by Sunday evening n
marked case of pneumonia had developed.
Later Dr. w. w. Johnson, regarded "a
one of the ablest and most experienced
physicians in Washington, was summon
ed in consultation.
Monday morning Senator Proctor of
Vermont, who had been out of the city
on business Friday and Saturday, was
nv Morrill,.
been at the Morrill, residence almost con-
stantly since. The sick man hardly re-
rGgnized his colleague, although he re-
talned consciousness till yesterday noon,
The news OF the senator's Illness, hith-
eric little known except to the members
of his immediate family consisting Of a
sister -in-law, Miss Louise Swan, who has
long lived with the senator's fami y and
his son, James Morrill,, was dIss5 minated
rapidly over the capitol and about the
city.
Later in the afternoon and during the
evening there were many callers at the
residence. The President sent over from
the White House to inquire about the sen
htor's condition. Senator Hoar of Massa
chusetts. who has served with Senator
Morrill, in the Senate for % years, Senator
A1iecr Of Iowa who has been in the Sen
ate With the distinguished Vermonter fo
d years and next to him has been the IA
thnr of that body in point of service anC
Senator Cullom Of Illinois all the closes
friends wero among the visitors at TIT
residence,
The two representatives in the Hous
from Vermont, Gen. w. w, Grout ant
Judge H. II. Powers have both gone T.
Vermont for the holidays.
The physicians were at the residence a
6 o'clock and stated before they left tina
it did not seem possible for the senate
to survive TIL midnight.
th... ,tYl,N hEa Al n
10 those around his bedside that the age
senator was gradually growing weaker
He remained in an unconscious state Int
which he lapsed during the morning. HI
respiration became more rapid and short
Ell and tho pulse more feeble The sena
tors condition at midnight was such tina
ne might die in few hours or might liv
through the night. One of his physician
most OF the time remained at the bedside
The patient evidently was not suferin
any pain but was calmly passing away,
In the dmly lighted corridor of tn
room of the second floor facing out o
Thomas Circle and Vermont avenue, tn
senator lay unconscious all the evening
His son and Miss Swan were constant
at the bedside watching for the end whio
everybody knew could not be many houl
away. Save this room and the parlor b.
low, where Senator Proctor answert
many of the inquiries from prominei
callers. the windows of the unpretentio'
brick residence, where Senator Morrill, hi
resided for years and with his wife. WI
died last May, celebrated many recurrir
birthdays, on April IA, we're entirely dai
and the utmost quiet was preserved lie
the dying mans last hours should be di
turbed.
Shortly after midnight Mr.. James Mo
rill came from his fathers bedside al
said that death could not be more thf
an hour away He had been lying unco
scious all the evening but had bet
breathing very short and quick. Senat
Chandler Of New Hampshire has be-
with Senator Proctor al the residence {
night. DR.. Van Rennsalaer was at Il
bedside constantly.
HIS LAST DAYS.
AS soon as he returned to Washingt
Senator Morrill, began to make daily tri
TO the capitol. where he spent a porti
OF the day In the room OF the commit
on finance. of which he has been for mai
years chairman. 1t was remarked tod