The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-07
HORACE AUSTIN IS
CALLED BY DEATH
The Second Former Governor OF
Minnesota to Die Within
Week.
Complications Following a Minor
Surgical Operation Produce
.I the Fatal Result.

" For the second time within week
death has taken former governor OF
Minnesota. e-...-
fi Horace Austin, governor of Mime
Il sofa from 1870 to 1874, jurist, SOLDIER
! writer and for thirty years continuous
St. Barnabas hospital at 1890 TINS
morning following a minor surgical oP, |
eration. He was in his seventy-fourth |
wear. having celebrated his birthday
with his wife and children, who survive Wy:
him, at his home at Mound, Lake MIN
McGiU who died few days ago was
his private secretary during one term
as governor. .,--.~
The passing Of Governor Austin was
sudden. He was taken to the hospltal
Friday. afternoon, apparently IN ss 'ne se
best Of health. His condition was SO
good that his relatives and physicians
deemed the success of the operation Tor
which he was preparing, certain me
operation was performed Saturday ana
Governor Austin rallied immediately.
His progress was steady and very en-
couraging until Monday noon, when ne
exhibited some weakness. Even then
his condition. was not thought danger
GUS. and tho he sank steadily thru the
afternoon his physician was not
alarmed until late in the evening. Gas
had formed in the intestines and the
patient suffered great pain, but the con
tlition was to be expected after such an
operation.
a.. Relatives were fearful, however, be
fore the physicians would admit danger
+; and last evening Mrs. Austin, their
son and two daughters were. called to
the bedside of the suffering pioneer he
realized his approaching demise before
up under the coming sorrow. He re
manned conscious to the last and In his
final hours arranged all his business. He
bade goodbye to those at his bedside
and requested that they transmit his
farewell to his friends, many of whom
he named. - 5....--.
Active to the Last.
Tho he retired from public life some
years ago, after active service of over
thirty years, Governor Austin had not
quit work. He was engaged in the com,
pilation Of his memoirs at the time OF
his death, having been working on them
in spare moments for several years. He
returned from a trip to Alaska last
summer, intending to complete the
memoirs this winter In addition to his
memoirs he had done other writing, and,
In the true sense of the word did not
retire from active life until he entered
she hospital Friday afternoon. .%is.s@st,.
I Governor Austin had retained his
years he had travelled extensively. 1t
was his custom to spend his, winters in
California, where he had country prop
erty. He made two trips to ALASKA in
company with F. B. Morrill, of Fargo.
Mr.. Morrill, is in the city today and
described the courage displayed BY the
sturdy old man during some exciting In
cidents of their travel in Alaska. The
first trip to the new country was made
in 1898, and Governor Austin was SO
impressed with the effect that climate
had in building up his health that he
urged Mr.. Morrill, again to accompany
him to the northland. The second trirr
and Governor Austin returned much re-
freshed.: Since his return he had re
sided at his home at Mound. He was
much attached to the place and spent
all the warm months there IL. = -
c. D. Austin, a half-brother of Gov
ernor Austin, stated today that prior tt
the operation the governor was enjoying
perfect health for q man Of his age
Thirty years ago his death had beer
deemed a matter of only a few years
but by extreme care and by living a.,
outdoor life he had built up his dechrl
ing health until he was EXCEPTIONAL,
rugged for man in his seventies. :
Almost Unbroken Circle.
With the exception of one daughter
ida, who died several years ago, Gov
ernor Austin is survived by his entir
family. His daughters are Miss Alice
a photographer, residing in Boston
Miss Mabel, doctor, also in Boston
Miss Helen, a teacher in the St. Pat
public schools, and Mrs. Conde Hamli1
formerly of st. Paul and now living i
Chicago. The son, FL. w. Austin, a.
sistant purchasing agent of the NORTH
.- ern Pacific railroad, resides in st. Pau
One brother, ,&George Austin of Everett
Wash, and "a half-brother, c. D. Aus
tin of Minneapolis, are also living. A
will attend the funeral except til
brother George, who is too feeble
make the long winter journey to Mil
neapolis. y -.
The widow, Mrs. Austin, the Miss,
Helen and Alice Austin, are at the hon
90 of Mrs. Olga Haskell, 171O Third av
nue. S. Mrs. Hamlin of Chicago an
Miss Mabel Austin of Boston are c
their way to the city to attend tt
obsequies and will also remain wit
Mrs. Haskell. *'' ...'H Tn
The arrangements. for the funer
have not been completed. Accordir
to present plans. the funeral will
held Thursday afternoon from the hon
- of C. D.. Austin, 3245 Third avenue
Friends in St. Paul desire that the I
mains be sent there and definite pla
have not been made. 49,
A Native of Connecticut.
Horace Austin, the sixth governor
Minnesota, was born Oct. Is, 1881,
Canterbury. Conn.,, the son of we
todo farmer. After finishing his ed
cation in an academy at Litchfeld, M
he taught at Belgrade academy, in t
same state, of which institution he W
principal for short time. He studi
law at Augusta, Me-, in the office
Lot M. Morrill,, afterwards Unit
States senator, and in 1856, at the a
Of 25, came to Minnesota, locating
st. Peter. In 1862 he enlisted as
lieutenant and was promoted to capita
of cavalry, taking an active part
the sibley campaign against the
dians on the Missouri. The year f
lowing he was elected judge of t
sixth judicial district. His advan,
ment was rapid after this, and in 1S
he was elected governor by about 30
majority.
A glance at his inaugural address "
- give some idea Of the man sand of t
condition Of the state in this early d.
He reviewed many of the, questions tn
Of ho naon1o.5H sopoo of