The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-26
ALTGELD'S SUDDEN DEATH
Stricken at the Conclusion Of a Pro-
Bosr Speech.
HAD BEEN NllNG FOR SOME TIME
Mis Last Words Plea For Help For tho
Boar Families In the Concontrstion
C.mps-His Record ~ Governor OF ILL.,
inois and In National Politie s-He
Psrdoned the Chicago Anarchists.

Ca,nps-His Record - Governor OF Sil-
ipois and In National Politie s-He
Pardoned the Chicago Anarchists.
} Joliet, In.-Just after finishing an
address at the Opera House in behalf
of the Boer women and children In the
south African concentration camps
former Governor John p. Altgeld was
taken suddenly III, and at TOO o'clock
4. m. he died. having been unconscious
for several hours.
Mr.. Altgeld had come to Joliet to
fulfn his engagement as the principal
speaker at the pro-Boer meeting ar-
ranged by the Chicago branch Of the
Transvaal League. He had complained
az some stomach trouble on his arrival,
but did not think Of giving up his en-
eacement. Il was noted during the
address that he threw an unusuai
amount of energy and feeling Into bis
words, and the collapse. the physicians
fhink, resulted from overstraining MS
already weakened physical powers.
Just at the close Of his speech q sud-
i3en dizziness seized him, and he was
assisted from the stage. The meeting
proceeded. the audience not realizing
what had happened. Mr.. Altgeld was
taken to the door Of the theatre, where
he had several vomiting spells. This
continued for nearly an hour. and
wss so prohounced be could not be
removed to the hotel
PHYSICIANS were hastily summoned
Ind later Mr.. Altgeld was carried
10 the hotel across the street. He re-
kained consciousness and urged the
newspaper men TO Eeep the AFFAIR quiet
Tor fear Of alarming his wife. Shortly
before midnight he became uncon'
scious.
He remained in this condition until,
mt al q. m, 1t was thought he had
died, but he revived. and from that
time until shortly before the end he
showed wonderful vitality. although
he made no move. The cause Of death
a given as cerebral hemorrhages. there
having been an apoplectic seizure or
the brain.
Clarence Darrow, the Chicago law
partner Of Mr.. Altgeld. came to Joliet
and took charge Of the body. The
body was embalmed and taken to CHI
cago.
Mrs. Altgeld. widow Of the former
Governor, was prostrated by the shock
of the news from Joliet Grave appre-
aension for her welfare Is felt, rs she
has been In delicate health for two
years. Mr.. Altgeld left no children.
John Peter Altgeld was born in Ger
many In December. 1S47, and was
brought to this country when an infant.
his parents settling near Mansfield.
Ohio. He was educated In the public
schools, entered the Union Army as
private at the age Of sixteen and fought
as such until the close Of the war;
taught school and studied law In Mis-
souri,. being admitted to the bar there
IN 1869. He was elected States Attor-
ney Of Andrew County In 1874. an
0fice he resigned in 1875 and moved to
Chicago.
He was IN unsuccessful candidate
Tor Congress from that city in 1854.
was made Judge of the Superior Court
Of Chicago In 1855 and was Governor
Of Illinois In lS93-97. He ran as inde-
pendent candidate for Mayor OF CHI
cago In 1890. and was defeated. He
was the author OF several books. among
them .Our Penal Machinery and Its
Victims and "Live Questions"
Altgeld was Democrat. but not
bound by party ties. He was a warm
bupporter Of Mr.. Bryan in 1900. and 1t
WAS said during the campaign that In
ease Of Mr. Bryan's election Altgeld
was sure Of a Cabinet position or
place on the United States Supreme
Court II q vacancy occurred thereon.
His most notable act rs Governor.
and which fixed the attention OF the
whole country. was his pardon OF
Fielding. Schwab and Neebe. the An
archists whose sentence to death for
the Haymarket square murder OF pol
kicemen had been commuted BY Gov
ernor Oglesby to imprisonment for life.
Mr. Altgeld was at one time very
lwealthy. but he lost most OF his prop
er;y by unfortunate Investments.