Evening journal., 1900-06-16
He Was III But a Few
Minutes
SPENT YESTERDAY IN DOVER
Was i'll Philadelphia on Wednesday
COnierring With AddickS and Other
Political Friends
Special to the Evening Journal.

Special to the Evening Journal
Smyrna, June 16-Congressman John
II. Hoffecker died in his home here at
$50 o'clock this morning.
His death was due to apoplexy, fol-
lowing an acute attack of Indigestion.
He was i'll but a few minutes. and died
in the sitting room while Mrs. Hof-
fecler was down town to Obtain the
services Of Dr. Thomas c. Moore, the
family physician to relieve his suffer
ing. When she got back home she
found him dead
HIS CHILDREN SUMMONED.
His sons and daughter were at once
summoned to the house. and kilograms
announcing his death were sent out to
relatives and to personal and political
friends.
The people of Smyrna were shocked
greatly when they learned of his death,
and the feeling of sorrow and SYM
pathy for the bereaved widow and chill
dren is universal
While 40 arrangements have been
made for the funeral it is believed
that it will be held on lIonday or Tues
day, probably Monday Interment Will
be made in the family burial lot in
Glenwood Methodist Episcopal Gene
terry, on the northern edge Of the
town.
FAMILY ALMOST HEARTBROKEN.
Mr. Hoffecker leaves a second wife
and four children, all grown and mar
ried. His widow was for many years a
missionary in China. She returned to
America and became the wife Of joseph
Hofecker, owner and editor of the
Smyrna Times, who was an invalid at
the time of the wedding. She devoted
herself to his comfort until he deid, and
several years later married John II.
Hoffecker, his cousin, who had four
children by his first wife, who was Miss
Annie Appleton, of Odessa.
Congressman Hoffecker's children.
all of whom reside in Smyrna are Wal
ter o. Hoffecker, his private secretary.
and surveyor and insurance agent;
John A. Hoffecker and J. Edwin Hof-
fecker officials in the Delaware rail-
road offices in Clayton, and Mrs. Annie
Hall, wife of Hervey Hall, a promi-
nent merchant here.
The entire family is almost heart
broken, for Mr.. Hoffecker was a de-
voted husband and father.
ENTIRELY UNEXPECTED
What gives force to the shock ocoa-
stoned by Mr.. Hoffecker's death is the
fact that up to this morning he was
in his accustomed state Of health. Even
when the attack Of indigestion seized
him this morning nothing serious was
'apprehended at first. But he continued
to grow worse, until Mrs HoffeckerI
decided to call in Dr. Moore to relievel
him. 1t was not until she got back
home and found him dead that sheI
realized the full import of the attack
Following the adjournment of Con-
gress, Mr.. Hoffecker returned home
His life when at home was busy one
in consequence of his business rela-
tions, public duties and political affilia-
tions. On Wednesday he was in Phila-
delphia doing what he could to assist
the Addicks leaders in their fight forl
recognition by the National Commit
tee. There he met many friends from
all parts of the state. Yesterday he
went to Dover and returned home last
evening. Last night he was on the
streets here, apparently as well as
usual.
MATTER OF VACANCY.
Had Mr.. Hoffecker's death happened
before the adjournment Of Congress.
Governor Tunnel would have been
compelled to have called a special cleo
tion to I'll the vacancy. Under existing
conditions, with the general election
intervening between the present time
and the next session Of Congress next