Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1891 — HIS LAST BIVOUAC. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIS LAST BIVOUAC.

INDIANA’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE PASSES AWAY. The Nam* of His Grandchild Mary HU Latest Breath—Clear Memory on Suh. JecU of War-Time Interest-l-Hls Biography—Lieut, Gov. Chase. Sworn into Office. Old Soldiers Will Mourn. The death of Gov. Alvin P. Hovey, whi.h occurred at Indianapolis, was a shock that Indianians were not prepared to receive, although it did not come unexpected to those who have lately been more or less intimate with him. When he became Governor it was

with health as vigorous as one could look for. in a man 6 8 years of age. During the summer of 1889 ho was at times confined to his room by illness, ibut it Was nothing of a dangerous character. Early in the year following he was attacked by la

■ grippe, and that led to .the immediate cause of his death-heart failure. For weeks la grippe and its complii cations kept 'him in his room, and i when he was able to leave it a great ■ change for the Worse was observable in the man on e so robust ; Two months ago it was suggested by friends close to him that a trip to Mexico would do him good. He did not readily fall in with the idea, and to the last would have been willing to abandon the journey had it not been for his friends. Ho left the city with his paity on Oct. 31st their absence to cover thiee weeks. Crossing the alkali deserts he began to show feelings of discomfort, and reaching the City of Mexico lhe air of the high altitude affected him so much that it was decided to return home at once. The party reached homo with the Governor a very s’ck man. From that time on he would have his hours of feeling better and his hours pf relapses. The rainy weather and the heavy atmosphere checked improvement, it becoming more and more difficult to restore the respiratory organs to their proper functions. On the day of his death he himself realized that his condition was extremely critical, but appeared to be hopeful. His mind was clear, and he talked occasionally in a reminiscent way. His messenger, Otto Pfafflin, ar. old veteran who attended him all through the war as a bugler, was constantly at his bedside, tenderly and devoted caring for him. During his waking hours the Governor persisted in talking with Pfafflin about war times, recalling wi h remarkable accuracy the scenes of blood, and carnage, and triumph through which they passed side by side. ‘Otto,” the Governor said, holding out his hand to the old bugler, “several persons have asked me since I got home why I didn’t go over the old battlefield of Champion’s Hill when at Vicksburg Otto, there was no pleasure io me In revisiting the scone where I lost so many gallant boys of my command. That was a fierce battle, lasting only about two uours, but with the superior position of Pemberton and the failure of MeClernand to obey Grant’s order and come to my assi tance, bringing with him information from Grant as to Pemberton’s . intentions, we ojitcltcsel. O, if McOlcrnand only hai obeyed Grant!”

The Governor showed much emotion and Otto stroked his forehead, assuring him that Mc.lernand was clearly to blame for the result, and the old warrior sank into peaceful s.eep again. As the day woj-e on h:s breathing became morn and more difficult. Dr. Hayes said that the immed ate cause of the patient’s dangerous condition was the damp atmosphere, which impeded his respiration. He said that c car weather would do for the sufferer what medicine could not and anx ously telephoned to signal service headquarters for information regarding the indications. The answer came that it would continue cloudy anl rainy all day, with a probable change to snow. The doctor’s countenance changed to an expression of despair as he turned from the telephone. The words were like a death-knell to the sufferer up-stairs. The Governor rapidly grew weaker, every breath was drawn with an effort. Mrs. Menzies, the Governor's daughter, and other friends and attendant s went out for a moment, leaving Major Menzies and Dr. Hayes remaining with him. Looking about the rcom, the dying man thought he saw his granddaughter. Miss Mary Menzies. She was always a favorite with him, and at sight of her. as he thought, his face brightened and he called out “Mary.” At that moment his heart stopped beating, and the pallor of death overspread his features. He was laid gently back among the pillows, and his family and friends were called in. As they gathered about the bed he drew one convulsive breath and was dead. Alvin P, Hovey was torn on a farm near Mount Vernon, Posey County, Ind , Sept, 6, 1821, and was educated in the country schools and by private teachers In 1840 he was a school teacher. and while so engaged pursued the study of law evenings, being admitted to the bar in 1842. He practiced witli success. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Indiana in 1850. In lasl he became Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial District of Indiana and held the office until 1854, when he was made Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana. He was chosen United States District Attorney for Indiana in 185<i and held the office two years. During the civil war he entered, the national servi e as Colonel of the Twen-ty-fourth Indiana volunteers in July, 1861. tn April 28, 1862, h ■ was pro moted Brigadier General of volunteers and brevetted Major-General for meritorious and distinguished ;erviees in July, If 64. He was in command of the eastern district of Arkansas in 1863, anl of the district of Indiana in 1864-5. In October, 1865, he resigned his (omniDslon and was appointed Minister to Peru, holding the position for five years. He was elect d to Congress in 1886 on the Republican ticket, and two years ago was chosen Governor of Indiana. On the morning following the Governor’s death the remains were taken to the rotunda cf the Capitol, where they lay in state until the afternoon, when an impressive memorial service was held, under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic The following morning the G. A. R posts and other civic and military bodies turned out and escorted the remains to the depot where a special train was in waitin ; to carry the body and a large escort to Mount Vernon, the Governor's old home, where the interment took p ace. Ira J. Chase, who as Lieuieriant Governor will succeed Governor Hovey, is 57 years of age, and .a native of Monroe 'County, New York. He spent h's early manhood on a farm thirty miles from Chicago. He served as a private of Company C, Nineteenth Illinois Regiment, bit ili-health led to hlrdischarge after more than a year’s service. After several years in business he entered the m nistry of the Church of Discip.es, and filled many important pulpits of that denominate on in this State, the last being at Danville, ohere his 'home is now; ■ A- - A lonely man must feel a good deal like a duck being brought up in fc family of chickens.

GOV. A. P. HOVEY.