The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-21

He was regularly at the general Of
fee building of the Santa Fe until eight
months ago when he went to California
and New Mexico, hoping to recuperate.
But the dread disease, consumption,
had taken an ineradicable grip upon him
and he returned to Topeka to die.
At the recent meeting of the Santa F'e
stockholders, by a great effort, he was
in attendance. That was the last time
he was out of his home.
Just week ago yesterday Mr.. Wilder
was forced to take to his bed. He grew
rapidly weaker and on Tuesday even
ing it seemed that a crisis was on hand
and that he could not survive the night.
BY the use of stimuIants he rallied and
was kept alive.
On Wednesday forenoon it was rea-
lized that the end was close. 1t was
thought at 9 O'Clock in the morning that
Mr.. Wilder was passing away. DR..
Harding, his physician, was sent for
and the family gathered at the bed
side.
But he again survived the attack and
grew better by noon. Sinking spells
came on again during the afternoon and
at o'clock it was seen that death was
close at hand. A sharp relapse came
at that time and he failed rapidly
Physicians and trained nurses were at
his bedside constantly from that time
on exerting themselves to the utmost.
steadily sinking and died at $40 o'clock.
Mr.. Wilder was perfectly conscious to
to the time of his death. Just few
moments before he passed away he
said: Il am perfectly comfortable and
am suffering no PAIN
His mind was clear right up to the
last and he was conscious of what took
place in the room about him. He was
in a very cheerful mood.
Up until last Sunday Mr.. Wilder felt
1,s O M
did not give up hope. He was then in
especially good spirits and told the
nurses and doctors that he felt him
self getting better and resting easier
By Monday, however, he commenced to
fail and realized that death was near.
Mr.. Wilders illness was tuberculosis
of the lungs. The family do not know
when he contracted the disease. but ne
has been suffering and complaining OF
his lungs for almost I've years. 1t was
only about a year ago that the matter
really appeared serious. He left his
duties at the office and went to Ari-
zona hoping to gain benefit The result
looked for was not attained, and the
climate of California was sought But
in both Instances the help was but tenn
porary and he came back to Topeka
to die.
Almost eight months ago he was forced
to give up his daily attendance at the
general office building. But he still ap-
piled himself assiduously to his work.
During the summer months he would SIT
! on the porch of his home and dictate to
his stenographer daily matters of his Of
fee which needed his personal attention:
Only about two weeks ago was he forced
to give up all attentions to his duties
The last time Mr. Wilder was at the
general office building was on October 26,
the date Of the annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Santa Fe railway. He
was taken to the meeting in carriage
and the officers of the road rendered him
an ovation upon his appearance. He act
ed as secretary during the meeting and
participated in its entire deliberations.
After the meeting he returned to his
home and in a few days grew worse. The
strain of the effort seemed to tell upon
him. But he insisted upon keeping in
touch with the affairs of his Office and
kept up his daily correspondence, witt