The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-17
Men Who Knew James A. Mount Intimately
Praise His Sterling Character.
The Indiana Senator's Members of Congress, State
Officers and Others Speak of Him-Inci-
dents i'm His Career

Late last night proclamation touching
the death of Ex-Governor Mount was is
sued from the executive parlors at the
Statehouse. The proclamation is as fol-
lows:
To the People of Indiana:
1t becomes my solemn and sorrowful
duty to proclaim to the citizens of our
great commonwealth the news of the death
of my distinguished predecessor, Governor
James A. Mount, which occurred suddenly
at his apartments in the Denison Hotel. in
this city at half past o'clock this evening.
The fatal stroke came almost without
warning. and he who was apparently in the
full prime of manhood and perfect health
during the whole of the day was asleep in
death just as the drapery of night was
being drawn about him.
In war and in peace James A. Mount was
a fearless but God-fearing man. His de-
votion to the flag of his country is of it
self a glorious tribute to his patriotic
impulses and the great service he has rem
dered to the people of Indiana is so we'll
understood and generally appreciated
that no voice has been or viii be raised
against ii. The people of all classes re-
spected and honored him for his rugged
honesty, his absolute integrity, his high
and manly of right and justice.
IRONY OF FATE.
1t seems the irony of fate that he should
have survived but two days after the close
of one of the most notable administrations
in the history of Indiana, and this is fur
a ci izQ1 hv ha oof hos with
the exception of myself. no man is now liv-
ing who was ever elected to the office of
chief executive of this State. Governor
Mount was the last to answer the inevit-
able summons. He made a record that will
remain imperishable, but the effort cost
him his life.
His administration will be conspicuous
in the history of the State. Courageous
yet kind; exacting, yet considerate; pains
taking, yet rapid in work. he conscien-
tiously performed every days duties
Whether carrying the musket as a private
soldier in the war of the rebellion or act
ing as chief magistrate of his State in the
war with Spain. he was always the same
heroic, manly man. He surrendered his
life with his honors and his Office. His
book of life and official history were closed
together. His was full, rounded career,
worthy of emulation by every struggling
youth in the land. He was, indeed, trib-
une of the people
He was conscientious to degree and con-
siderate to fault He was self-made
man in the best meaning of the term. His
struggle TO rise above the conditions of a
poor country boy is story so pathetic as
col For II
faithful Christian. There never was a sug-
gestion of cant in his religious professions.
His home was an ideal one. purified by the
best thought, the best action and loving
kindness.
A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
The people of Indiana owe a debt Of gratI-
tude TO James A. Mount that can never be
fully repaid. He literally gave not only his
best efforts for them, but his pure and
noble life as well.
Therefore, / respectfully and reverentIy
call upon the citizens of this State TO take
such action as may be deemed appropriate
during the time the body is lying I'm state
and on the day of the funeral. and that all
public business be suspended to the fullest
extent possible. also direct that the flags
OF all state institutions be placed at half
mast for the usual period OF mourning. and
that such public honors be paid TO the dis
tinguished dead as BELTS the high station
from which he so recently retired with the
love Of the people accompanying him.
also deem it appropriate to request that all
flags be placed at haif-mast as a token OF
regard for who has served his State
and his country with marked distinction.
Done at the Capitol. in the city OF In
dianapolis. this 18th day of January, 1901. in
the gear OF the State the eighty-fifth, and
of the United States the one hundred and
| twenty-fifth.
WINFIELD T. DURBIN.
| By the Governor:
UNION b. HUNT, Secretary OF State.
ACTInS OF IEGISlATIRE.