The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-21
LONG FAST ENDS IN DEATH.
An Aged Wisconsin Minister Unable
TO Partake Of Food.

EVANSVILLE, WIS, Jan. 17.-Rev. a.
j. Hendricksen, aged 81. is dead. and
with his passing away there is removed
from Wisconsin one Of the most promi-
nent figures Of the present day. His
death was due 20 inaniuOn. not senility,
weakness from the want Of food. not be-
cause OF his advanced years.
For five weeks prior TO the final clos
ing OF his eyelids he had partaken of no
food. except that occasionally his
physician would put into the water he
drank a nutritious lozenge. These per-
haps prolonged his life. During his long
fast he wasted away from a robust man
full Of life and vigor 20 that of weak
ling. so poor and stupid that his legs re-
fused TO obey his bidding and his tongue
the wish OF his mind. In other words,
while his mental faculties were as bright
as they were a dozen years ago, his
tongue and the other muscles Of his bo1y
partially paralyzed.
Six weeks ago he had a stroke Of hemi-
pegia. BY strict attention 20 diet and
the Observance OF medical rules he ap-
parently recovered. But he had not been
about for more than a couple of days be-
fore his body was again seized with
numbness, and then he lost all power OF
sense and smell.
Then his family learned that the taste
and sight of food had grown repugnant
10 him 10 such an extent that he abso-
lutely refused 10 eat IL and continued TO
cali for water. December 10 he ex-
periencei another stroke. this one affect
Ing his head, making him entirely blind
and deliriOus. His distaste for food
seemed to increase with the second stroke
and all edibles seemed to choke him. He
declared that everything he tried TO eat
tasted bitter, and IL was evident his sense
OF taste had been ruined by the paralytic
stroke His daughter, who feared ne
would starve himself TO death attempted
several times o give him milk or broth
instead OF the water which he constantly
demanded, but I'm each instance he al
once discovered the change and refused
10 swallow the substitute.
The theory advanced by the doctor and
which has been accepted by the family
Is that the nerves OF smell and taste We're
destroyed AMI that he did not feel the
sensation OF hunger. Therefore food was
as repugnant 70 him as II would be TO
a man who had just finished a hearty
dinner As long as he did not seem 10
suffer from the lack OF food no attempt
was made 10 force food down his throat.
Daily. I'm response 10 questions he de-
clared that he was not a bit hungry and
wanted nothing prepared for him.
From the first he realized that death
would be the result of his abstinence.
and while he revolted against being
classed with suicides he declared that II
was a physical impossibility for him 10
take nOurishment
Mr. Hendricksen was a clergyman Of
the Methodist church, but for several
years past had been superannuated
Nearly generation ago he was superin-
tendent 81 the state Reform School for
bows al Waukesha. He had always been
noted for his piety and his administra-
ton Of the reform school showed him
10 be gifted with much executive
ability.
lie was widely known and respected
throughout the State and had an excel
lent standing i'm the Methodist church,
Chicago Chronicle