The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-09
FUNERAL ON MONDAY
After Days Activity the Distinguished
Ex-senator and Ex-Minister to Mex
leo is Attacked by Heart Trouble
and at One O'clock Saturday Morn
ing He Expired His Last Words Be-
ing "Boys Do Right. God Bless
Your Mother"
Especial to News and Observer.)

Jackson, n. c., Oct. S.-After
sharp and sudden attack of illness,
Hen. Matthew W. Ransom died at his
home in Northampton county, near
Garysburg, four miles from here, at
about l o'clock this morning. His last
words gave instructions to his sons to
do right and left blessing for his wife.
At MS bedside at the time of his
death We're three of his sens, Messrs.
Matthew w. Ransom, Jr., Joseph E.
Ransom, and George E. Ransom. His
wife and lis daughter. Miss Esther,
were at Blowing Rock, while his other
sons, Messrs. Patrick EXum Ransom
and Robert Ransom were on other
parts of the plantation He was just
seventy-eight years old, having cele-
day yesterday.
Senator Ransom's death was very
sudden and came from heart failure,
or some heart trouble. For several
nights past he had complained of hav
ing a pain at his heart, but this was
only temporary. He went to Blowing
Rock with his wife and his daughter
f:iss Esther just a few weeks ago, but
stayed there only a short time, return
in to- his hcme about ten days ago.
Yesterday he was actively engaged
about the farm and appeared il good
health. In the afternoon he came
back to the house and ate a hearty
supper. After supper he became a lit
tie sick and von!ted a little. He felt
relieved after this and retired shortly
before 8 o'clock.
About half-past ten he became very
sick and the family was aroused. Sen
ator Rarsom's condition seemed bad,
but not serious, and all the country
= remedies known were used, a mesSen-
ser being sent to Jackson. for DR.. Fl.
w. Lewis.
Senator Rarsom rapidly grew verse
and after twelve o'clock his condi-
ton became very serious. His neart
gave him great pain and number of
times he declared that if he did not
get relief he would die. The atten-
ton Of the home folks was increased
and Dr. Lewis was expected at every
moment.
Just after l O'Clock Senator Ransom
recognized that death was ut hand
the pain at his heart increasing. At
tins time he was sitting on the side of
his bed. having been conscious all the
time. Three of his sons were with
him. ano the end came as he sat on
the side of his bed.
He had been talking and giving dl-
rectionS at various times during the
painful hours and as the end came his
last words were addressed to his SONS
these being, Boys. do right. Cod
bless your NEITHER He never spoke
afterwards, but died in few moments
During the few hours that he was
i'll messages had been sent to his son
Mr.. Patrick F.. Ransom, who was at
the lower farm, and TO SIR. Robert
Ransom, vino was at the Pope place,
the Hal fax farm. Both Of these ar
4 N-ct 1T, e. L,
Lewis reached the house ten or fifteen
minutes after Senator Ransom expired
The news of Senator RaEsom's death
was brought here by DR.. Lewis and
telephone messages we've sent to Sea
board to the telegraph office, mes
sages being sent to Mrs. Ransom and
Miss Esther VINO are at Blowing
Rock. They are now on their way
home. Mr. Patrick E. Ransom having
gone to meet them. They will not be
able to reach here till Sunday after
noon.
The funeral services will not be held
till Monday afternoon, and these will
be held at his late home in Northamp-
ton county. The interment VIII be in
the family burying ground near his
elegant country home and he will be
buried with Masonic honors, having
been an honored meber of the Ma
sonic lodge at Warrenton.
General Ransom since his retire
lnent from the United States Senate
has been actively engaged in looking
after his large farming interests and
has accumulated large estate Be-
sides this he was insured for $4,000
in the New York Life
There is great grief in al this sec
ton, for General Ransom was beloved
by all who knew him. With his death
the State loses its greatest son. one
whose name is indissolubiy connected
with some of the nomcntous events in
its history.
Details of His Life.
Hon. Matthew Whitaker Ransom
was born in Warren county. October 7,
1926. and was just seventy-eight years
old on Friday. He graduated from
Chapel Hill in 1S47, and in 1854 was
elected Attorney General of I~orth
Carolina, being twenty EIGHT wears OF
age. In 1856, 1859 and 1850 he was
q meber of the Legislature In 1861
he was a member of the Peace CONF