Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1881 — DEATH OF SENATOR CARPENTER. [ARTICLE]

DEATH OF SENATOR CARPENTER.

Washington, Feb. 24. Senator Matt 11. Carpenter breathed his last in this city this morning at 9:30, surrounded by his family, who have tenderly nursed him through his long illness, by his home physician, Dr. Fox of Milwaukee, his local physician, and by Representative Williams, of Wisconsin, Dr. Paret, of the Episcopal Church of this city, read the service for the dying as the life of the late Senator slowly ebbed away. From the hour that Dr. Fox arrived here, yesterday morning, on his rapid trip from Milwaukee, all hope was abandoned Dt. Fox, who knew Mr. Carpenter’s condition so well, and who, one year ago, had told him that his disease was incurable, instantly decided that the hours of the sick man were numbered, and informed his family that his death might be expected in a few hours. Mr. Carpenter waa not himself made acquainted with his condition, although it was evident, from numerous indications dining the day, that be knew that the hour of his fate had come. During the early part of the evening he was fully conscious, and recognized his family. After 9 o’clock he sank into a semi-unconscious condition, from which, however, he would arouse whenever remarks wero addressed to him. Occasionally a member of his family would seek to obtain from him some sicn of recognition, and the Bufferer, by word, or look, or presame of the hand, was able to respond to the last appeals of love. About 1 o’clock this morning Mr. Carpenter seemed to bo sinking. His pulse almost ceased, and it was thought that the supreme moment bad arrived. He rallied soon after that, however, and waa less unconscious until 4 o’clock. At that hour his wife, his son —a lad of 14—and his daughter, a young woman of 20, were gathered about his bedside. The physicians had indicated that the remaining horns of the husband and father were few. the death-pall was settling down upon the chamber, yet there was no outward demonstration of grief. Anxious to secure another recognition, the stricken wife asked : “Matt, do you know me ?" The dying man aroused himself for a moment, and feebly answered: “Of course, I do.” These were his last words on earth. From that time until the hour of his decease, he remained in painless unconsciousness. A little before 9:30 the physician announced that the final moment was soon to come. The clergyman, Dr. Paret, then solemnly read the dying service, and as it was concluding the spirit of Matthew H. Carpenter passed from earth. It was characteristic of the wonderful intellect of the man that his head died last. His physicians say that, contrary to the usual course with such a disease, his mind was clear to the last moment It had been evident to Mr. Carpenter’s friends for many months, if he would not realize it himself, that he was stricken with that terrible malady called Bright’s disease. The stalwart form had become so wasted that his clothes hung loosely about him. There was an ashy pallor on his face. The voice had grown so weak that its silvery notes rose very feebly to the galleries. About one year ago he consulted with his physician in Wisconsin, Dr. Fox, who announced to him the sad fact that his malady was Bright’s disease, and that it had advanced so far that his case was incurable. “From that hour, ’said his physician yesterday, “he was a man under sentence. Mr. Carjienter could not or would not believe it. He purchased many medical uooks relating to that subject, and studied the disease with the thoroughness which characterized all his investigations. He caused analysis to be made, and, when certain symptoms on some days were wanting, would decide that his physicians were mistaken, and that he had a new hold on life. He remained in torrid Washington all the last summer. The physicians that he had consulted in New York advised him not to remove from a warm climate, through fear that the change to a cooler temperature might result in a reaction. That would prove injurious. Accordingly, through the heat arid malaria and summer torture here, he remained housed duriug the daytime, devoting himself assiduously to his extensive law pract.ce, and at night, when tho temperature was more moderate, riding about the streets in an open carriage to get a breath of good air. Winter came and he was in his seat in Congress at the beginning, but he was seldom there afterward. He seemed to bo conscious of his changed appearance. He was especially sensitive at remarks about his health. He did not wish the report to go out that he was not a strong man. He was reluctant to admit that he was losing his hold upon life, and possibly his absenco from the Senate during this session was due in part to the fact that he did not case to enter into a debate which would show his increasing feebleness. Three weekß ago he took a severe cold, and had an attack of pneumonia. It Was then feared that he would not recover, but he was able to go to his office for some days, when again he was stricken down, and in that last illness he died. Mr. Carpenter was born atMoretown, Yt., in 1824, and adopted by Gov. Dillingham. For two years he was a cadet at West Point, whence he went into the law office of Rufus Choate, in Boston. He married the daughter of his foster-father and removed to Wisconsin. settling at Beloit in 1848, removing to Milwaukee ten years later. At the outbreak of the war he left the Democratic party and became an active Republican. In 1869 he was elected to the United States Senate, and became President pro tem. of that body. In 1879 he was chosen to succeed Senator Howd. He had an insurance on his life of $65,000.