Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-13
e. Ex-Governor of Illinois Dies
Wednesday.
EFFORT WAS TOO MUCH
Spoke at Pro-5oer Meeting Last Night
and Was Carried Painting From the
Stage-condition Grew Worse and
Death Came in a Few Hours.

Joliet, March 12.-Former Governor
John P. Altgeld died at the Hotel Nun
roe at 7:09 o'clock this morning.
Altgeld was the principal speaker at
q pro-Boer mass meeting last night.
Just at the close of the speech, sudden
dizziness seized him. He was assist
ed from the stage n for an hour af-
ter he had severe vomiting spells. He
was finally removed to the hotel where
several physicians attended him.
Urged to Keep 1t Quiet.
Altgeld regained consciousness and
urged the newspaper men to keep the
affair quiet here for fear of alarming
his wife.
Becomes Unconscious.
Shortly before midnight he become
unconscious. The cause of death is
given as cerebral hemorrhages, there
having been an apopletic seizure of the
BRAIN.
Was Unusually Energetic.
1t was noted during the address that
the ex-governor threw an unusual
amount of energy and feeling into his
words and the collapse the physicians
think, resulted from over-straining his
already weakened physical powers.
Beginning of Trouble.
Ever since the failure of the Globe
Savings bank in 1896 in which he was
involved, Mr.. Altgeld has not been a
well nan and for some months after
the Spalding crash it was feared his
life was only a question of a short
time.
Friends Give Up.
When learned that he was a victim
of locomotor ataxia his friends gave
himoup. but he rallied although he new
er regained his old vigorous self.
Increased Anxiety.
Lately, however, the disease marked
him strongly and quite recently his
appearance caused grave f~orebodings
and anxiety. His mind was lust as
clear and active as of old. But,
though his spirit was willing, the flesh
was weak.
Died as He Lived.
Clarence barrow. a life long friend
and law partner of the ex-governor,
reached here this morning. He said
the ex-governor died as he had lived,
pleading the cause of the lowly.
Says Yates Was Right.
Mr.. Altgeld in his speech last even
ing declared that all friends of human
ity owed a debt of gratitude to Cover
nor Yates for issuing a proclamation
soliciting assistance for Boer women
and children in the concentration
camps which the British are maintain
ing in South Africa.
Scores of kilograms.
Darrow upon arrival at Joliet, took
charge of the body and opened scores
country expressing the deepest regret
at the former governors demise.
No Post Mortem.
There will be no post mortem on
the body of Mr.. Altgeld. The family
uOSS uOI WlSu IL, DtluS SOHlSuI WILL
the statement of physicians that he
died from cerebral hemorrhage. The
remains will be embalmed and will be
taken to Chicago at 4 o'clock this af-
ternoon.
May Kill Mrs. AItgeld.
Chicago, March 12.-Mrs. Altgeld,
widow of the former governor, is pros
trated by the shock of the new from
Joliet of her husbands death. Grave
apprehensions for her welfare are felt
as she has been in delicate health for
two years.
Flags to Be Half Masted.
Springfield, H., March 12.-Lieuten-
ant Governor Northcott today issued a
proclamation announcing the death of
Ex-Governor Altgeld and requesting
that flags on all state buildings be half
masted until after the funeral. Bust
ness in various departments will be
suspended during the hours of the fu-
neral.
. "a