Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1916 — Judson H. Perkins Dies In Chicago Hospital [ARTICLE]

Judson H. Perkins Dies In Chicago Hospital

Rare Skin Disease Carries Off Well Known Clerk of Jasper Circuit Court

Judson H. Perkins, the well known and popular clerk of the Jasper circuit court, died at the Presbyterian hospital at 2 o’clock Sunday mtoming. His death was unexpected and came as a great surprise and shock to his family and acquaintances nere. He had been troubled With a slight skin eruption for about a qfointh and two weeks ago, the disease baffling the skill of his local physician, he decided to go to Chicago and consult his nephey, Dr. Perkins, of that dty. He wias unable to diagnose the trouble anid Dr. Ormtsby, a skin specialise, was consulted, and he too, was puzzled, and mode the request that Mr. Perkins remain there a few days and left him study the case. Mr. Perkins then entered the Presbyterian hospital and apparently was getting along fine up to the of his death. The trouble was finally pronounced to be penphigus, a rare skin disease. Saturday was expected to be the turning point in the disease and favorable results were expected. His daughter, Miss Ethel Perkins, deputy clerk, went to Chicago Saturday on the evening train, and called to see her father on her arrival. He was in good .spirits and no anxiety was felt regarding his condition when She left later in the evening. At eleven o’clock that night Dr. Perkins called the family in Rensselaer and notified them that Mr. Perkins’ condition had 1 grown alarming and that he was sinking fart; and to come at once. At 2 o’clock Sunday morning another message came announcing his death. Miss Perkins could not be located by the hospital authorities that night and did not receive the news of his death until nearly noon Sunday. She had gone to the home of a friend and attended church in the morning, and it was upon her return from church that she learned of the death of her father. She had intended to visit the hospital tiiat afternoon, onlly one visit

j a day being allowed, j After death an autopsy was held to , ascertain exactly what caused his j death and the result will be made known later.

The (body was brought jo Rensselaer this Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, accompanied by Dr. Perkins and Miss Perkins. y The funeral will be held at the Baptist church at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, the services being conductx d by Rev. J. P. Green, who will be assisted by Rev. Beard. Deceased was 69 years of age. He leaves a wife, two daughters, Miss Ethel and Mrs. Jay W. Stockton, and an adopted son, Sam Perkins. Mr. Perkins was elected clerk of Jasper county in 1910 and took the office on May 1, 1912. He was re-elected for the second term in 1914 and began his second term on May Ist of this.year. Mr. Perkins was an accommodating and competent official and well liked by everyone and the news of his death comes as a shock to the community. A more extended sketch of his life will be given in a later issue. His death will make necessary the appointment of a man to fill the vacancy in the cleric’s office and this will be done by the county commissioners soon, as no business can be transacted in the clerk’s office until his successor is appointed. The office was kept ,open today by Miss Eva Moore in order that the public might have access to the records* of the office. It is probable that the procinat committeemen of the republican parjty will meet at once and name someone to go on the republican ticket to be voted for this fall, and that the commissioners will name their choice to serve until a successor can be elected. The democratic committeemen are expected to meet in due time and also select some candidate for clerk for their ticket.