Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-23
Shenandoah
Ex-Secretary Of State Passes
Away This Morning.
HIS END WAS PEACEFUL
Died Of Brain Exhaustion-Was Sur.
rounded by Friends and Relatives
Had Been in Ill Health for Some
Time-The Secretary's Wealth.

r
Time-The Secretary's Wealth.
Washington, Oct. 22.-Ex-Secretary
of State John Sherman died at GAS
O'Clock this morning of brain exhaus-
ton. Death came peacefully after al
most thirty-six hours of nearly COM
plete Inconsistencies. A number of
relatives and friends, who had assem-
bled in Washington in response to
summons, were at his bedside when
the end came.
Friends at His Bedside.
The number included H. Tecumseh
Sherman, Charles M. Sherman, Miss
Lizzie Sherman, Mrs. James Mccall
lum, his adopted daughter, who had
been the late secretary's constant at
tendant, and her husband. General
and Mrs. Miles, the latter niece of
the secretary, did not reach the house
until after the venerable statesman
had passed away. The arrangements
for the funeral will be completed to-
day. AS contemplated the services
will be held in this city @on Tuesday.
The remains are to lie In state at the
house until this evening, when they
will be taken to Mansfield, O., where
interment will be made in the family
burying ground beside the body of
Mrs. Sherman, who died early in the
summer.
Secretary Sherman's Wealth.
Secretary Sherman's death occurred
in the handsome home on X street,
which he erected eight years ago.
Some weeks ago the secretary decided
this valuable property to Mrs. Mccall
lum. Conservative estimates of the
secretary's wealth place it at million
dollars, most of which is believed to
consist of Washington real estate, Sc
Icurities and the old family home at
Mansfield. Mr.. Sherman mas not been
in robust health for over year. In
March, 1899, while on e pleasure trip
to the West Indies, he suffered Sc
we're attack of pneumonia, which al.
most proved fatal. He was brought to
this city where he became strong
enough to visit at his home in Ohio.
Wife's Death Blow.
The death of Mrs. Sherman was a
severe blow to the secretary from
which he never fully recovered. He re-
turned to Washington in September
much broken in health and spirits and
for time was able to move about in
the open air but for the past three
weeks has been confined to his bed
His general debility was aggravated
by an irritating cough which hasten.
ed his end.
White House is Closed.
The news of Sherman's death was
Immediately communicated to the
president, who was greatly affected by
the news. He Immediately directed
that the White House be closed to visi-
tors and the flags of all public build
ings be placed at half-mast. The pres,
ident as mark of honor to the de-
ceased is personally preparing an ex,
preston of the nations grief in the
shape of proclamation descriptive OF
the personal qualities and civic abill.
ties of the deceased statesman. AT
the state department message was
framed to be transmitted to the Unit,
ed States ambassadors, ministers and
them Of the demise of Ex-Secretary
. Sherman. The department will be
closed for business during the funeral
services in order to allow officials anG
) employees to attend in person.
Funeral Arrangements.
The funeral will be held at the
Sherman residence early Wednesday
afternoon, Rev. Alexander Mackay
Smith, rector of st. Johns church, Of
ficiating. Services will be held in
Mansfield Thursday, at which time
President Mckinley will attend.
John Sherman's Life.
u John Sherman, financier, United
States senator and secretary of thf
tion and secretary of state under Nc
Kinley descends from Samuel Sher
man, colonist of 1643, and began life
improvements. Having studied Law
with brother in Mansfield, Ohio, he
was admitted to the bar the day he be
came of age, and since that time ha.
made Mansfield his home. Mr.. Sher
man made it rule from an early da,
! to save $500 year from his income
and this practice was the basis of hi!
present wealth. After six years in thu
/ law he started sash and blind fac
tory, which paid him about $4,000 ;
J, year, and by purchase of suburban
lands and later real estate operations
| in Washington, D. c.. and careful in
: vestments in corporations, he has nov
become rich man. Senator Sher
mans political career is so we'll known
that 1t is only necessary to say, will
regard to it, that, having in 1858, open
ed a law office in Cleveland, he gavt
it up in 1854 upon election to congress
and since then has been almost con
tinuously connected with the Fedora
government.
Bets Are Scarce.