Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1901 — EX-GOV. MOUNT FALLS DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EX-GOV. MOUNT FALLS DEAD.

Expires Suddenly in an Indian* t apolis Hotel. HE HAD SPENT A BUSY DAY. v Delivers an Address at the Wool Growers’ Association In the Afternoon and Dies a Few Honrs Later —Cans# of Death Apoplexy. James A. Mount, whose term as governor of Indiana expired last Monday, died suddenly in his apartments at the Denison hotel Wednesday afternoon. The ex-governor had been In the best of health up to the time of his death, and the announcement that he was dead caused consternation as the report rapidly spread throughout the city. His many friends, when they heard of the occurrence, hastened to the hotel, hardly believing

it could be true. There the report was confirmed, and yet it was difficult for many to realize that the man they had seen was dead. Mr. Mount spent most of the day about the statehouse shaking hands with friends. He also delivered a speech at the Wool Growers’ association’s meeting in the afternoon and was later elected president of the association. He remained about the statehouse until about 5 o’clock, when he went to his apartments at the Denison. He went to his room and then left the hotel again for a walk, from which he shortly afterward returned, apparently benefited by the exercise. His face a few moments later showed his illness and in reply to his niece, he said: “Yes, I am very sick.” “Had we not better send for the doctor?” she' asked. “Yes,” he replied. “It Is my heart, it is my heart.”

.A message was at once sent for a doctor. In the meantime Mrs. Mount and Mrs. Noe£ assisted the governor into the bedroom and helped him remove his coat and collar. Then he became very weak and sank back in bed. He did not speak. At this Mrs. Mount and Mrs. Noel became frightened, and Mrs. Noel ran into the hall, crying for help. Senator Binkley of Richmond and his wife, who have apartments near those of Governor Mount, were just coming out of their room, and were hailed by Mrs. Noel. Mrs. Noel said: “Come, quick; (ipvernor Mount is dying. Send for a victor.” Dr. Runnels, who had been summoned by telephone, soon came?. The physicians could do little and the governor expired. It was scarcely ten minutes from the time the attack came on until he was dead.

James Atwell Mount was born on a farm in Montgomery county, Indiana, March 23, 1843. His father, Atwell Mount, was born in Fauquier fiounty, Virginia, in 1806, and moved to Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1813. His mother, Lucinda Fullenwider, was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1808. They were married in 1826, and moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1828. Governor Mount himself had long been an elder in the Presbyterian church, and held a prominent position In local, state and national councils of that denomination. Mr. Mount was noted In his boyhood for energy and Industry. His school privileges were meager, his attendance being confined to periods of the worst weather In

winter when farm work was suspended. Daring the early months of the campaign of the civil war his boyish enthusiasm was aroused and he entered the army, enlisting in the Seventysecond Indiana volunteers in 1862. He became a member of the famous Wilder brigade, and of his courage General Wilder said he twice volunteered for the skirmish line work during the battle of Chickamauga, when to do so seemed to be tempting fate.- He was the first skirmisher of Sherman’s army to cross the Chattahoochee river, through which he charged at Roswell, Ga., at daylight, July 9, 1864. His enthusiasm and patriotism are illustrated by the fact recorded In the history of the regiment, that while suffering from the measles,in 1862,he marched through two days of incessant rain, and waded through swollen streams, and also that during three years’ service he did not miss a single march, skirmish or battle. After the close of the war, with the little money he had saved, he entered the old Presbyterian academy and, by characteristic diligence, sue-

ceeded in crowding the work of two years into one. Shortly after his retirement from the academy he married Miss Kate A. Boyd, also a student of that institution and a resident of Lebanon. Almost entirely bereft of means, he rented a small farm in Montgomery county, and there he ana his helpful wife began a heroic struggle with adversity. JBe served as state senator in 1888, and was elected governor in 1896.

JAMES A. MOUNT, EX-GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.