Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1882 — STEPHEN A. HURLBUT. [ARTICLE]

STEPHEN A. HURLBUT.

Particulars of His Death—Rumors that He Had Been Poisoned Lead to a Post-Mortem and Analysis. The Lima correspondent of the Panama Herald describes the distressing incidents in connection with the death of Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, United States Minister to Peru : Up to the morning of his death the deceased gentleman had been enjoying the best, of health ; had been visiting his friends and taking leave of them prior to his departure for the United States, fixed for the 6th proximo, and nothing indicated his sudden demit e. He awoke and dressed as usual early on the 27th, played for some little time with his two grandchildren, of whom he was exceedingly fond, and then, while washing his face, was suddenly seized with such intense pain in the region of the heart as compelled him to give vent to agonizing cries, which aroused every one in the house. He was soon surrounded by Mrs. Hurlbut and his son, Mr. George Hurlbut, and iiis wife and servants, but for some minutes remained m strong agony and totally deprived of all power of articulation. A doctor was almost instantaneously in attendance, but no appliances were at hand to render assistance, even if such could have been of service against the acute attack from which the General was suffering. He was placed upon the bed, where he momentarily recovered consciousness, his first exclamation being : “ God bless you all. I am dy.ng. Oh, my heart!” A few more disjointed phrases were all he uttered, and in less than twenty minutes from the first attack he ceased to exist. Ti.e suddenness of the death of Gen. Hurlbut gave rise to numberless rumors. At first it was assertea he died from the effects of poison. Extravagance followed extravagance in such form that the authorities considered it their duty to recommend that a post-mortem beheld. The family strongly opposed any examination, since all were thoroughly satisfied as to the cause of death. But public grounds were urged upon them by friends, and finally Mrs. Hurlbut reluctantly gave consent. The examination took place in the presence of ten surgeons, of different nationalities. Drs. Schofield and Baldwin, of the Pensacola, performed the operation, being assisted by others. It was most carefully executed, and almost all present agreed in declaring death had arisen from aneurism of the heart. Minister Hurlbut was greatly beloved and respected by the Peruvians, and at the funeral there was a great outpouring to do honor to his remains.