The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-28
THE END CAME
AT ESQ TO-DAY
Heroic Efforts Of Physicians and
of the Patient Himself Were
Unavailing.
Life Prolonged Several Hours by
Use of Oxygen Family and
Friends at Bedside.

Beaver, Pa, May 2S.-Senator M. S.
I Quay died at 1850 o'clock this after
noon. He had been unconscious since
early this morning, the final stupor,
which became more profound each
hour following a succession of sink
ing speels during the night from
which the patient was aroused only by
the most heroic treatment.
During his unconsciousness the sem
tors life-spark was kept alive by the
use of oxygen. The members Of the
family, who had been summoned,
Senators Boise and Penrose, Miss
Annie Pennysacker Of Washington,
and w. F. Wright of Philadelphia, I'M
til recently private secretary to SEN
ator Quay, were at the home when
death occurred.
Senator Quay made a. strong and de-
termined fight for life. Until his last
spell Of Inconsistencies he main
tanned stubbornly that he would get
we'll. A day or two ago the senator
told his physician DR.. L1ttlefield, that
he was not worrying about politics.
His sole interest was In his struggle
for recovery DR.. Littlefield said that
the reason why no report Of the pa
TENTS condition was given out before
was because all along the senator had
insisted on seeing all newspapers to
learn what was said about his condi-
ton. If any attempt was made to
hold back a paper at annoyed him.
The sole topic in Beaver to-day has
been the alarming change in the sem
ator's condition. The people are
deeply concerned and the suspension
OF business is almost total.
The immediate cause Of Senator
Quay's illness was exhaustion due to
inability to assimilate nourishment.
He took no food after 3 a. m. Chronic
inf a of Of va
stomach was the foundation Of the
trouble.
Matthew Stanley Quay was born in
Dillsburg, York county, Pa, Sept. 80, 1888
His father was Presbyterian clergy
man, who was his sons tutor In the rudi-
mentary portions Of his education. Young
Quay was graduated from Jefferson col
lege at the age of IS, and began to study
law at Pittsburg. firing of this. he be-
gan life of adventure which led him
to Louisiana and Texas, where he taught
school. Subsequently returning to his
fathers home at Beaver, Pa.,s'and COM
plotting his law studies he was admitted
to the Oar in 1854. His first vote was
cast for the nominees Of the prohibition
party, and his first public office was that
of parliamentary Of Beaver county, from
1855 to 1861, when he enlisted in the
army. He was made colonel Of the One
Hundred Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania
infantry soon after his enlistment, and
won a congressional medal for conspicu-
Gus gallantry in the field. He had re-
signed his command on account Of i'll
health and the letter accepting his res
ignation arrived on the eve of the bat
tie of Fredericksburg. Comrades had
placed with him about $4,000 to take
to their homes, but he offered his SER
vices as aide, went into the battle with
a. haversack full Of money and was under
firn thr,IIn no hot thn To riI a
a FESTIVE horse unused to service.
Returning to Harrisburg, he re-entered
the political arena, being elected to the
Pennsylvania legislature in 1864 serving
one term. He was secretary Of the com ;
monwealth, 1S72-1S7S recorder of the city
of Philadelphia and secretary of the re-
publican state committee, 187S-1S79; again
secretary Of the commonwealth, 1S79-1SS2;
was delegate to. the republican national
conventions Of 1872, 1875 and 1880: elected
state treasurer In 1885; was elected a
member of the republican national COM
mittee and was chosen chairman thereof
and ex-officio chairman of the executive
committee when the committee organized
in 1883, and conducted the successful
presidential campaign of that year; was
g. delegate to the republican national
conventions of 1892, 1896 and 1900; was
elected United States senator, taking his
seat March 4, 1887, serving two terms;
was defeated by deadlock in 1899, but
was appointed by the governor to fill the
vacancy. tho the senate failed to recog-
nize the validity of the appointment;
was again elected to the senate in jan
uary, 1901, serving until his death
His career as political general and
"boss" has been remarkable and sue
cessful one, and while his enemies have
charged him with resorting to question
able methods, they have been compelled
to recognize and respect his courage and
acumen- His supremacy in Pennsylvania
as head of the republican machine, has
several times been disputed, and fights
have been made on him by John Wanna
maker and others. But Quay invariably
contrived to rout his enemies and keer
his place in the saddle. He entered pol
itics as the lieutenant of the famous
Simon Cameron. and later furnished the
brains Of the power welded by his son
Senator Don Cameron His Junior col
league, Senator Boies Penrose, has beer
trained to succeed him.