Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1895 — “OLD ROMAN” IS DEAD [ARTICLE]

“OLD ROMAN” IS DEAD

LIFEWORK OF ALLEN G. THURMAN ENDED. Surrounded by Loved Ones and Unconscious of Physical Distress, the Great Man’s Soul Takes Flight— Twenty-one Graves Sobbed. Due to a Fall. Judge Allen O. Thurman died irqfolumbus, Ohio, shortly after 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon. So peaceful was the end and so quietly did come, that the change wns haraly noticeable to the loved ones who surrounded his bedside. He had lived with his son, Allen W. Thurman, since the death of his wife, several years ago, and being unable to leave the house he occupied apartments in the second story of the residence, where he spent the last days of his life in a remarkably pleasant and agreeable manner. The beginning of Judge Thurman’s fatal illness dates from Nov. 7 last, when he fell heavily while walking across the library floor. A few days after the fall his life was despaired of. but he rallied from the shock and at times apparently seemed to have regained hisVold-tima vigor. Nov. 13 Judge Thurman was 82 years old, and on that date several of his old friends called on him nnd had a pleasant chat. On that occasion ho smoked a cigar with his friends nnd seemed unusually cheerful nnd bright. Since the accident he had his good days and his bad ones. He had been confined to his bed nearly all the time, nnd his physicinn, called on him daily. That he was steadily growing weaker was apparent to nil, nnd It hnd been known for some time thnt his lense of life could not be protracted much longer. On account of his confinement to bed Judge Thurman began to be nfllicted with bed sores and in order to relieve this unpleasantness ho at times snt up and stood up, but ho hnd not attempted to walk since his fall. At 10 o'clock on tho day of his death Dr. Whitaker found the pntient gradually sinking. He gave him a little water nnd whisky, which was swallowed mechanically. At the final acene all of the family wore at his bedside. Ho seemed to be free from all distress, and during the morning hours all that the sorrowing family could do was to moisten his parched lips nt Intervals. Those present nt the death scene were Mr. and Mrs. Allen W. Thurman and the following grandchildren: Lee, Miss Katherine, Allen G., Jr., Daniel C., and Starling Thurman, all children of Allen W. Thurman. The death of Allen G. Thurman removes a picturesque and impressive figure from tho ranks of tho Democratic party. During a long career in politics Mr. Thurman had devoted most of his energy to tho public service in channels where it was most effective, nnd tho sum total of his endeavors imposes a large debt of gratitude upon tho public nt large. Although a Virginian by birth, Mr. Thurman's life-work was done in Ohio, n|]<l it la with the Buckeye Ntnto that ho is Identified. His service on behalf of tho commonwealth was long nnd honorable, Including a term in Congress, four years on the State Supreme bench nnd a long and very creditable record in the United States Senate. It wns while in tho Senate thnt ho won the sobriquet of "Old Roman," a title which has hung in popular memory ns pertinaciously ns did his maxim, "A tariff is a tax," which he made the watchword of tho campaign wherein ho was defeated for the Vico Presidency. Ho was born nt Lynchburg, Va., in 1813, and removed to Chilicothe, Ohio, with his parents when six years of age. Thurman wns not a religious man, in tho strict sense, and viry often he was poetically profane, yet both his private nnd public life was remarkable for its pvrity. Since tho death of his wife, two years ago, he had been more secluded than ever. He had felt her loss more than Ids stoical spirit would display, yet his grief had been that of a philosopher. Judge Thurman was a rich man. The estate of his wife had been w’ell managed and greatly Increased. The Thurman family has always been among the most aristocratic in the State, and the younger generation is prominent in the social circles of Columbus.