New-York tribune., 1905-04-22
SENATOR 0. H. PLATT DEAD
Il VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA.
AbsceSs in Lung Breaks and Stram-
guLatiOn EnSueS.

gulGtiOn EnSueS.
washington. Conn, April 21.-Orville Hitchcock
PIatt senior Senator from Connecticut. and one
OF the leading public men Of the United States,
died at his summer home IN this. his native,
town. at S53 o'clock tonight, from pneumonia.
The end came almost Unexpectedly. the imme-
date cause of death being the breaking Of an
abscess which had formed in the right lung,
producing stranguation. Only a few minutes
before the end DR.. Ford. the family physician,
had prepared a bulletin, saying that If Mr. Platt
did not have another sinking spell. such as he
had experienced in the forenoon he would prob
ably live through the night When the doctor
left the sIckroom Senator Platt was perfectly
conscious appeared to suffer pain. and had
answered questions asked by those at the bed
side, showing that his mind was clear. In the
room at the time were Mrs. Platt and the Sen
ator's only son. Judge James P. Platt. of the
United States Circuit Court, who had been sum
moned home in the afternoon and reached the
house three hours before his father died
The funeral will probably be held next Tues
day, although the date has not been definitely
fixed. The services will be held in the Congre-
gational Church, in the centre Of the village
The Rev. Robert Carter. pastor of the church.
viii conduct the services, which will be simple
in accordance with the tastes of Senator Platt
and the wishes Of Mrs. PIatt
HIS ILLNESS AND DEATH.
Senator Platt contracted a severe cold vhiIe
the sEayne impeachment trial was in progress
before the Senate. He had not fully recovered
from II at the time Of Senator HawIey's funeral.
He stood in the railroad station at Hartford for
some time awaiting the arrival of the train on
which General Hawley's body was brought from
Washington. He complained Of a slight chill in
consequence Of which, after the exercises at the
Capitol, he returned 10 his country home here.
On Friday, March 81. he was taken with the
illness which proved fatal. The first attack was
bronchial pneumonia Of a comparatively slight
nature. This was followed on April by COM
plications. which lasted for about a week on
April IL Mr.. Platt showed signs of improve
ment, and hopes Of recovery were entertained.
but soon after that the abscess in the lung be-
gan TO develop. and on April IS he had a severe
chill. The following day his physicians and
nurses feared the end. but he rallied from that
attack Other chills. however followed at in
tervals, eliminating in a particularly severe one
this forenoon between . and J. o'clock. AL
though the sick man seemed to rally somewhat
from this attack, and was comfortable in the
afternoon, 1t was evident that his life was ebb-
ing away His physician at S:45 o'clock said
that the end would come with another chill. and
that the thread of life would snap suddenly.
This proved to be the case, and few minutes
later Senator Platt's life work ended.
By temperament and feeling Senator Platt
was peculiarly the representative of New-Eng-
land ideas and of the old fashioned Puritan in
tegrity and conscience. Throughout his life he
kept himself in the most sympathetic touch with
New England institutions of every kind The
church. the township, the farm and the schools
were the objects of his keen interest Particu-
larly strong was his love for his native town Of
Washington. with whose citizens he had always
been familiar where several years ago he built
beautiful home, and where most Of his time in
summer was passed.
LAST PUBLIC CTTERANCE-
Senator Platts last public utterance was at
the State Capitol on March 21. when. before the
| General Assembly. he delivered the eulogy Of
General Hawley. whose body lay in state in the
corridor below. He spoke from heart over
flowing with grief, and in words that deeply
touched all who heard him. telling Of the per
sonal side Of his long relations with General
Hawlev rather than Of the political battles they
had fought for the party Of which both were
members 1t was noticed then that Senator
Platt seemed 10 be IN impaired health. and this
was attributed TO his arduous labors i'm the Sen
ate. and especially 10 the added responsibilities
thrown upon him by The recent death Of
/ Senator Hoar. Senator Platt succeeded Senator
TIoar as chairman Of the judiciary Committee
Of the Senate. Later he was made chairman Of
the special committee Of the Senate appointed
10 conduct the Swayne impeachment trial. and
this was followed by his appointment as presid-
ing officer OF the Senate sitting as court IN the
| impeachnent trial That was his last high pub
lie duty before returning 10 his native State 10
! assist in paying honor 10 the memory Of General
! Hawley
one of the most striking features Of Senator
Platt's public life his intimacy with the
! state Of Connecticut and its problems and in
/ terests as connected with federal affairs. All
! citizens OF the State looked up 10 him with the
/ greatest respect. and his relations TO the com
! ynonwealth were similar 10 those Of Senator
/ F5oar to the people of Massachusetts,.
In stature and face Senator Platt was an i'm
| nressive figure more than six feet tall, erect,
strongly but gracefully built, and with features
which reminded his friends OF Abraham Lin
colin In private and domestic life and intimate
relations with friends he carried the same di-
| Continued third page.