Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-03-15
JOHN P. ALTGELD DEAD.
Former Governor Of Illinois Died
at Joliet.
THE END CAME SUDDENLY
Stricken While Making a Speech at Boer
Meeting, Passed Away Early Yesterday
Mornng-Had Noted Career.

Morning Had Noted Career.
Joliet, ILL.,. March l3.-Former
Gov. John P. Altgeld died IN room
IS. Hotel Munroe. Yesterday morn
ing.
Mr.. Altgeld was the principal
speaker at pro-Boer mass meating
Tuesday night in the Joliet Theater.
just at the close of his speech sud-
den dizziness seized him, and he was
assisted from the stage. The meet
ing proceeded, the audience mot realiz-
ing what had happened Mr.. Altgeld
was taken to the door of the theater,
where several vomiting spells seized
him.
Physicians were hastily summoned.
and Mr.. Altgeld was carried to a ho-
tel across the street. Shortly before
midnight he became unconscious. He
remained in this condition until
death. The cause of death is given
as cerebal hemorrhages, there having
been an apopletic seizure OF the brain.
Mr. Altgeld came to Joliet Tuesday
the principal orator for the big Will
county pro-Boer meeting. He con-
fessed that he was not IN the best of
health, having been troubled with
some apparently simple stomach all
ment.
He was not willing to allow that TO
interfere with his speech, his great
interest In the South African strug-
gle having been heightened by the
announcement of the BoeI success in
the capture of General Methuen.
Ever since the failure OF the Globe
Sus ings Bank in Isl &, an wiiiehs he
was Involved. Mr.. Aitgeld had not
been we'll man. and for some
months after the Shading crash 1T
was feared that his death was only a
question of short time Even when
serving his last year as governor his
health was none too good.
When it was learned that he was a
victim of locomotor ataxia his friends
gave him up. But he rallied, although
he was never again his old vigorous
self.
Lately, however. the disease mark
ed him strongly, and quite recently
his appearance caused grave forebod-
1ngs and anxiety His mind was just
as clear and active MS of old. but
though the spirit was willing, the
flesh was weak.
Clarence Darrew, lifelong friend
and later law partner of the ex-
governor, reached here yesterday. He
said that the governor died as he had
lived, pleading the cause of the low
ly.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
John Peter Altgeld was born in Ger
MANY and was brought to this coun-
try by his parents when three months
old. They settled on little farm In
Ohio. and the family was very Door.
At sixteen Atgeld enlisted IN the
Union Army. and-fought III the James
river campaign. He worked his way
through academy, and taught country
school for awhile. Once in Ka nsas
he tramped barefoot across the state
and did chores for his meals. His
first year of praoticipg law at Savan-
nah. Mo-, was starvation times.
In 1879 he was located in Chicago
nd ho no II FOL Of&
like ten years after that his fortune
was estimated at a million dollars
In business Mr.. Alteeld had consid-
cradle of the speculative instinct
When he tn ought he bad ''huncn"
on good thing he PLAYED it and stalk
ed everything on it. He won and
made million dollars Bv a series
OF bad speculations in real estate and
by neglect of business fairs he lost
the bulk of his proparty. He was
Judge of the superior court of Illinois
and governor of the state.
His pardon of the Chicago anar-
chists stands out as the most notable
act in his term as governor. 1t did
more than ANYTHING else to ruin his
political career. He was dubbed John
IPardon A'tgeld. His enemies called
4 HIM an anarchist. But in his message
granting the pardon he stated in effect
hat he did so because he believed
pat the accused had been convicted
pen insufficient evidence, adding
! Mat the soil of America is not