Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-20
GENERAL THAYER IS DEAD
Distinguished Nebraskan Had Been Un-
conscious Since Morning,
SONS FAIL TO ARRIVE BEFORE DENISE
sketch of the Long and Eventful
Career of Man who served Ne
braskR Long anw weII-IntimRte
Friend of General Grant.
CFrom a stan Correspondent

NFTom a stan Correspondent
LINCOLN, Neb.. March 1s.-(speciai Tel
egram )-General John NJ. Thayer is dead.
The distinguished soldier and statesman
answered the last roll call at 1880 tonight
after a most gallant fight to survive until
the arrival Of his two sons, who were
wired OF their fathers condition Sunday
morning. They failed to reach Lincoln
in time. but numerous comrades and friends
looked after the last wants Of the patient.
Those who were In the death chamber when
the general breathed his last were: Mart
Howe, II. V. Hoagand, DR. Houtz and
Mr.. and Mrs. T. II. McCaslin. For sew
eral hours General Thayer had been un-
conscious.
In contrast to his strenuous life, the end
OF General Thayer was peaceful and calm,
and at no time during his sickness did
he suffer the least pain. His passing was
due to a general breaking down Of the
system and not to any particular ailment
Up to nearly the last his mind was clear
and only Saturday he desired to get out
of bed, though he was physically unable
to do So At intervals he was unconscious,
but frequently he rallied and recognized his
friends, though he was unable to speak to
them.
General Thayer's death occurred at Ills
Prospect street at the home of Thomas
II. McCaslin. where he had resided for
many years. Sunday and Monday life was
kept in the body only by the injection Of
stimulants to create heart action. From the
first DR.. Houtz, the attending physician, be-
eved he could not get we'll, Towing to his
wonderful constitution, however, which has
on frequent occasions sustained him.
friends had hope OF General Thayers re-
friends called at the McCaslin residence
but only a few were admitted to his bed
chamber Yesterday General Thayer recog-
nized Governor Mickey, but was unable to
speak to him and today he recognized Ad-
jutant General Culver
ArranEes for own Funeral.
General Thayer had been anticipating his
death for many years, and seven years ago
he wrote out his instructions about his
funeral, together with a list of the active
| and honorary pail bearers
He desired the funeral TO be held in
| St Paurs church, of which ne had long
| been a member, and requested that Rev.
| Mr.. Wharton and Rev. Luther p. Ludden
| officiate. Should Rev. Mr.. Wharton not
! be the pastor OF st. PauI's at the time of
: his death, General Thayer requested the
incumbent pastor to take his place. Rev.
| Mr.. Jones is now pastor OF the church
The active pail bearers selected by Gen
! eral Thayer are: Jesse Is. Strobe, c. NJ.
| Parker, Jr,B. Ferguson. William Gillespie,
| II. V. Hoagland and Captain Baird.
| The honorary pail bearers selected are:
! Governor John II. Mickey, Chancellor An
drews, General Charles @. Manderson
George l. Miller Captain H. f. Palmer
DR., W. G.. Houtz. Captain Adam Bross
A. ]. Sawyer. Thomas ]. Majors. W. A.
Woodward. c. J. Bills and Herman Bross
The remains are to be buried in Lin
| coin.
| The general directed also that Farragut
post Grand Army of the Republic, have
| charge of the funeral. He made no men.
| ton whether he desired a military or civiC
| funeral, and until John NJ Thayer jr.. gets
here tomorrow no arrangements for tn,
| funeral will be made.
Governor Mickey tonight expressed the
desire that due public honor be done tn,
distinguished dead. and should the son,
consent. it is probable the body will Ii,
in state In the senate chamber before tn,
funeral General Thayer had frequentl,
requested that his body he not embalmet
until a reasonable time had elapsed afte-
his death, and in accordance with hi
wishes an undertaken was not called to
| (Contfnued on Third PaReN