The Saint Paul globe., November 28, 1900, Image 1

About The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
VOL. XXIII.-NO. 332.
.' ' . ■ ' •'•'•'■:. "-"■-'.'■-»-'".•-■■-'-■':_' >':'■•. ' ■ ' -■•'-'."-?. v. ■■'.'.' ■"-;.■■ ■ '■ ■ . " -.•*■'--•' •-"•.'."■'-." . " '.
The Distinguished Statesman's Battle for Life Terminated Peacefully Last Evening—Uncoii<
scions for Twenty-four Hours Before the End—The Aged Father and Faithful '
Wife at the Bedside When the Messenger of Death Came.
Whin the EM Quae
Senator Cushman K. Davis is dead. The end of the long and painful
Illness, which had been momentarily feared for twenty-four hours immediately
preceding, came at just twelve minutes before 9 o'clock at the modest
home of the distinguished statesman on Farrington avenue, last night. No
sign of pain accompanied the approach of death, and, in fact, the sad inevitable
came so peacefully that even the attending physicians, Drs. Stone and
Lankester, could not assure themselves of death until three or four minutes
later. Unconscious at the last, Senator Davis did not, of course, recognize
any of those of his family or friends who stood beside his bed when the sum
mons came. A slight tremor, a taint gasp, and the man upon whom the eyes
of an expectant nation, a bereaved city and a distressed world were fixed,
had quietly passed into the silent courts of eternity. _
AT THE DEATH-BED.
Surrounding the bed of the dying man for some time prior to the sad end
and at its arrival were the bereaved wife, the aged and deeply stricken father,
Maj. Davis, two sisters of the deceased, Mrs. T. T. Morford, of Chicago and
Mrs. Bartlett Tripp, of Yankton, S. D., Mrs. Dr. A. K. Skaro, of Minneapolis,
Bister of Mrs. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. C. A, Severance, Mr. Severance having
been a long-time law partner of the deceased; the two nurses and Drs. Stone
and Lankester, who had battled with the disease which claimed the life of
Senator Davis several months ago.
, Frank B. Kellogg, a partner in the law firm of which Senator Davis was
the senior member, arrived at the home a few minutes after the end had come.
The scene at the death-bed was a most trying one and the burden of the fatal
summons, though it had been expected throughout the day, came with crush
ing force to the aged parents and the stricken wife. '■ .';.
WAS UNCONSCIOUS ALL DAY.
All day the dying statesman was In a state of unconsciousness... During
this time he had taken' scarcely any nourishment, and medicines were sus
pended several hours previous to death.
The last uay upon which Senator Davis was able to recognize strangers
or friends calling at the house was Tuesday, Nov. 20, but later than this he
occasionally recognized members of the family, his physicians and the nurses.
Yesterday morning he made an attempt apparently to utter some word, but his
breath was too faint to make more than the merest mutter, and he relapsed
Into a state of exhaustion after the pitiful effort. It was hopelessly acknowl
edged by the physicians that death was inevitable yesterday morning, and all
that could be done to render the end painless and peaceful was administered.
Throughout the day aching hearts awaited the fatal call and hourly the evi
dences of life's ebbing tide became more and more conclusive.
IT WAS A LOSING FIGHT.
Net since the day upon which Dr. Stone and Dr. Lankester first called
to visit Senator Davis in his fatal illness did they entertain substantial hopes
of his recovery. Though the cause of his sickness seamed slight, the thorough
ly emaciated system of the noted man, too well told the dangers that lay in
the path of science and skill which was to be exercised in the most dexterous
manner toward saving the life of the stricken man.
The discovery of a small abscess was made on the little toe of the. right
foot. This when opened, did not heal, and upon examination it was found that
the patient had been suffering from a hardening of the arteries which pre
vented a flow of blood sufficient to admit of the healing of the afflicted mem
ber. s Other pockets of pus formed, and those were likewise opened. At the
time of that operation the little toe having become gangrenous was amputated.
Following that about a week later there developed acute nephritis, and a day
or two afterward sugar appeared in the urine, The amount of the sugar and
albumen almost entirely disappeared Monday, Nov. 19, but the urea was still
excreted, only about one-third of the normal quantity, however, being discover
ed at each secretion. The urea that remained in the system caused a gen
eral poisoning, which was manifested especially on the brain.
For the past ten days prior to death. Senator Davis had been in a de
lirious state, with occasional rallies, and for the Qast few days had experienced
scarcely a rational moment. Little nourishment was given him during the
last twenty-four hours of his life and he was obliged to receive medicine by
injection. He slept peacefully up to within a few hours of his death, and met
the end without a struggle or indication of pain. The doctors feared a con
vulsion at the last, but this was absent, and death ensued gently and quietly.
TEMPERATURE WAS VERY HIGH.
Yesterday morning, when Drs. Stone and Lankester became assured that
human skill had accomplished all it could, and that their patient then only
awaited the coming of death, it was discovered that his temperature had reached
the extreme degree of 104 2-5. while his pulse was ranging between 140 and
146. His respiration registered 16. These were unmistakable signs cf the
end, although the registrations had shown remarkably high and alarming figures
for several days past. Monday morning the bulletin of Dr. Stone showed his
temperature at 99 1-5 and pulse at 120 to 130.
MRS. DAVIS WAS OVERCOME.
Mrs. Davis was greatly overcome by the stroke, even though she was
painfully certain that it was inevitable. Dr. Lankester at once administered
to her condition and serious results were avoided. The aged parents, Maj.
Davis, whose extreme years, 89, and those of his venerable wife, who is but
four years his junior, made them subject in the most trying manner to the
grave ordeal, stood it well.. The aged mother needed careful attention, but
showed remarkable strength, while the fortitude of the stricken father enabled
him to bear up under the severe test with more than unusual bravery.
To those who chanced to pass the modest dwelling of the distinguished
dead fifteen minutes after the sad event, attention was drawn to the darkened
windows over which the shades had been lowered as the shades of night had
cast their somber tints over the form of the silent occupant, and transferred
him from the civic chambers of national honor to the silent corridors of an
other court.
CITY WAS IN SADNESS.
The news that "Senator Davis is dead" spread over the entire city with
startling rapidity, and in less time than it would take to send the sad message
throughout the municipality in which he had lived and died, it. had gone over
the wires into other cities and states where his condition had been, watch
ed with equal eagerness and anxiety. As St. Paul, his home city, bowed her
head in sad homage to her departed patriot, and the state whose name he had
honored, grieved over his loss, his country, which he had" ably served, listened
THE ST.PAUL GLOBE
WEDNESDAY MORNING^ NOVEMBER 28, 1900.— TEN PAGES.
• ■ ;..'V.'- ... ...;' ■■':-::•>.- *-r-.r^ ■.-■■-!«•■ — ' -■?-■•>_•*.. i;-.'..--vy,-: ; : . ■ .- -
with grave silence to the chronicle of his
death, and stopped in its buy. career to
mourn its loss, too.
DATE OF FUNERAL NOT FIXED. -
No definite arrangements have . been
made for the funeral. Nothing-is'- de
cisive at. this time except that the re
mains will, be interred in this city.; Tele
grams have been sent to relatives and
friends and to colleagues at Washing
ton who will doubtless be in St. Paul in
time to attend the obsequies. It is prob
able that these will be held either Friday
or Saturday. It Is expected that besides
Judge ■• -irlpp, of South Dakota, brother
in-law of the deceased, who was ; minis
ter to Austria under President Cleveland;
and Mr. Morford, also a brother-in-law,':
of Chicago, there will several senators
and other statesmen from Washington
arrive for the funeral. All arrangements
will therefore be left until some definite
information Is received from them. '
The religious character of the serv
ices has not yet even been determined. '
HE WAS MODERATELY WEALTHY.
Senator Davis died the possessor of
moderate wealth, leaving his wife in very
comfortable circumstances. They had no
children to share the bereavement which
falls so heavily upon his wife and aged
parents.
SENATOR. DAVIS* SICKNESS.
Malady Had a Simple Beginning
Back in August.
The deceased statesman's malady had
a simple beginning. In August, while
engaged in touring some of the East
ern states, he sustained a slight abra
sion of the foot, due, it is believed, to
the friction of a black silk stocking
against the skin. At .first little or no
trouble was experienced, and the foot,
though painful, did not sufficiently' in
convenience the senator to warrant, in
his opinion, medical attendance.
Gradually, however, the swelling be
came worse, and in the second week in
September the senator became slightly
alarmed. He was not, though, suffi
ciently incapacitated to prevent his ap
pearance at Fergus Falls, Sept. 22. The
speech he delivered there that evening
was the last he was ever destined to
make from a public platform.
Fearful lest further neglect should so
aggravate the disease as to prevent fur
ther participation in the campaign, the
senator took to his bed, hoping to be
about again in a week, or two at the lat
est. This, .hope was never realized, for
he never left his house again.
Symptoms of blood poisoning commenc
ed to appear, and, in spite of the most
careful medical attention, an operation
was soon necessary. Oct. 24 Drs. Stone,
Lankester and Rothrock performed the
first operation. Considerable suppurated
matter was drawn off, and it was gen
erally thought that the progress of th
disease had been effectually arrested.
Conscious that even under the most fa
vorable circumstances his foot would be
very sore for a long time, Senator Da
vis jokingly declared on Oct. 21 that he
would not be cheated out _of his vote
if he had to be carried to the polls on a
litter. X*; ■'■' - ..'■-. ■
• It was not more than two days later
before he knew that even this would bo
impossible, and Oct. 24, the second opera
tion became necessary. Temporary re
lief followed, and his condition remained
about the earn- until the first few days
in November. Nov.' 4 an alarming change*!
for the worse set in/ and Dr. Stone tele- j
graphed to Chicago for Dr.. Murphy, a
well known specialist. The latter arrived
.the.-next morning, and a lengthy'■■■.onfer
.£n£e was held, at the conclusion of which
it was announced that amputation cf the
diseased - foot was unnecessary. The
next day saw the senator in bettor spir
its, and he* received an* unusually large
.number of callers. ' 4 -.. . ... .... ..,- .. i
' The excitement consequent on the elec
tion ; infused a fictitious, strength, which
apparently' did-.; the patient; much good".
The inevitable reaction- "Ssade its . appear
ance on the Bth, on whdeh date : visitors
we're ..allowed to .see him for . the >last
time..";;- The . succeeding two, days were
attended .with 7 increasing restlessness,
- and Monday, ; Nov. 12, \ the cause of this
became apparent,, when :it was discovered
that the senator, was suffering from acute
nephritis, a serious' affection .of the kid
neys. Dr. Murphy, was' again sent for,
and on all sides: there was a deepening
conviction that the end was fast ap
proaching. .'■■.' .a = "-.;.>--.-,-,' 1-f".
The. morning of ..Nov. 15 It was announc
ed that interval^- of delirium,. were be
ginning to overcome the t senator for a
short time after' awakening from sleep.
This continued until £atur<jlay, when Dr.
Stone issued/a bulletin*" that for a day
was received with joy. all over the Unit
ed States. .
"For the first time' since Monday," said
the doctor in his report, "I yam able to
announce that the senator's visible
symptoms show an improvement in his
condition." - . "7. Y^ •.'■
The news of this rally infused renewed
hope into the -breasts of his friends, and
all that day and the next telegrams and
cablegrams of inquiry ** wero received
from all parts of the world.
The improvement was short-lived, for
Sunday morning's report showed that a
serious relapse had set in.
For three days the daily bulletins were
most gloomy in tone, and then came the
most surprising, rally in the history of
his illness. .. The senator's strength in
creased, the symptoms, of uric poisoning
were not so marked, and even the de
lirium gave place to long intervals of
calm, during which the patient was able
to enjoy a few cigars and hopefully pre
dict that he was not going to. succumb.
Thursday, however, 1 saw still .mother
turn, and another relapse was reported.
His strength 1 seemed; to diminish as
quickly as it had gained a few days pre
viously, and on Friday-evening the de
lirium was reported to be acute. Satur
day morning, Nov. 24- the senator receiv
ed some benefit from a few hours' slaep,
and again in the evening ne was report
ed to be sleeping quietly. The bulletin
Issued at midnight .mentioned no special
change in hia condition, except that his
pulse was fluctuating between 120 and 130.
On waking {Sunday'morning, the sena
tor's condition;, was-' slightly hopeful,
though his pulse . was . high.;, f Monday
morning there was but little perceptible
change, except that he was. slightly
weaker. From that* time his condition
became gradually more 'critical; until the
end was seen to be but a few* hours dis
tant Tuesday- morning, i when his temper
ature ran up to 104 2-5. During the day
he lay in a stupor 7of-7 unconsciousness,
and' expired without 4 the least rallying
from this • state. - .
SKETCH OP HIS LIFE.
Hard Work Fitted Him for Sudden
■ • *'--■_-'- - " *t°— ' ■■*-■ --■.- -
.;- Leap to Fame. - .. '-
When United States Senator Cushman
K. Davis came to the front in "the Vene
zuelan controversy with Great i Britain
with his masterly enunciation of the Mon
roe doctrine, Alexander K. McClure, /of
Philadelphia, in his great Democratic pa
per declared : t
"No public man of modern times has
so suddenly leaped into national fame
as Senator Davis, of Minnesota, and the
nation more actively appreciates his bold
and patriotic position because he "did not
seek in any way to make himself con
spicuous- in the controversy." -
Senator Davis demonstrated; during
twelve years of his service in the United
States senate that: he was a man of the
whole people. As a member of: the most
august legislative body in the-, land, he
won the affection of the people and the
respect of his associates in that body,
respect for his statesmanship, his schol
arship,., his loyalty and his admirable
qualities as a man. ■-.; ••.-■■• ;-..
Cushman Kellogg Davis was born in
Henderson. Jefferson county, Ne-,v York,
June 16, 1838. , The same year his parents
moved to Wisconsin, which was then a
territory, and located at Waukesha,
where his father, Horatio N. Davis, fol
lowed the occupation of a farmer until
about 18.0.
Mr. Davis attended the common schools
and then entered Carroll college at Wau
kesha, where he remained for three yeats
preparing himself for the University of
Michigan, from which institution he was
graduated in 1857. -
- HE CHOSE THE LAW.
Thus equipped to begin the study of
the profession that might prove most con
genial, Mr. Davis chose the law. Upon
completing his collegiate course, he at
once entered the law office of Alex W
Randall, who was afterwards the war
governor of Wisconsin.
_ Three years later," in 1860, Mr. Davis
began the practice of law in Waukesha
Ims same year was otherwise a memor
able one in the career of Mr. Davis for
" „a-!s o, witnessed the beginning of' his
political hfe, when he cast the first vote
of his life for Abraham Lincoln, and the
year in which he participated in his first
Continued on Third Page.
BULLETIN OF
IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE DAY
"Weather Forecast for St. Paul:
Fair; Northerly Winds.
I—Death of Senator Davis.
ii— Affair of Uncle Sam.
Maj. .Bowler Opposes New Party.
Minneapolis Murder and Suicide.
—Northwest News.
4—Editorial Page.
St. Paul Social News.
Sporting Page.
Tommy Ryan Gets Decision.
Basket Ball Rales.
Pettigrew Talks Polities.
6—Roast for Van Wyck.
General Washington News.
Joe Leiter Talks Politics.
7—Alarm In Cape Colony.
.To Attack Wheat Corner.
S—News of the Railroads.
Damage hy High Water.
Popular Wants.
9—Markets of the World.
Chicago Dec. "Wheat, 70 I-Bc.
Rar Silver, 64 I-Bc.
Stocks Lower. [T ■•■'■
. IO—: Local Labor Field. • 7v. 7;
X-.'. - New 'Jail. Plans. '
News of the Courts.
PRICK TWO CENTS-!
tribute to the Dead
Gov. Alexander Ramsey— lt pains me greatly to learn of Sen-'
ator Davis' death. I had been up to see him on several occasions during hia
illness and had hopes of his ultimate recovery. 7 His death is a great loss to;
the nation and especially to the state and the city of St, Paul, both of which ha'
has brought into unusual prominence by his ability as a public man. Ido not
wonder at the interest manifested in the senator's Illness. Expressions of hooe
for his recovery were not alone confined to St. Paul and the state but cam©
from men of national note, His death leaves a void in national affairs thai
will be hard to fill. I knew Senator Davis intimately and lam indeed shocked
at his demise. His loss can almost be viewed in the light of a calamity aa
his connection with affairs of the state has brought Minnesota and this city inS
a prominence that is remarkable. I have viewed his rapid advancement iij
public life, an* have followed it with interest. I know lam not alone in this.'
Everyone took an interest in the Senator. He was loved and admired by all. I
I sincerely regret his death.
Judge Hascal R. Brill- 1 am indeed shocked to learn of SenaW
Davis' death. I knew the senator from boyhood up, studied law with hint
and have watched his rapid public advancement with more than usual interest. In
the law classes, the senator was a general favorite and the memory cf ourf
association comes back with vividness/ It was while he was governor of thij
state that I received my appointment to the judicial bench. The people of
this city and state cannot but view his loss with concern. Through his public*
connections Minnesota and St. Paul have been given a prominence that has
placed them in the fore. He was a man of great personality/ability and pen
etration and. his rapid stride forward is not to be- wondered at. He was loved, 1
revered, I might say, for his manner of recognizing all stations of : life. This
*as a part of his daily life; and to it must be credited much of his success. I
hardly believe any one was ever: turned from his door, whether in public of
private life. He made it a practice to give a ready ear to all, and if it was ir!
his power, acceded to their request, if such was made.' -
-C. D. O'Brien- -The death of .Senator Davis cannot but ba a eat loss
to the country at large as well as to this state. He v/as a.man of great genius
and extraordinary application.- - His reasoning, was most profound and his ap
plication untiring. 7. He went to the bottom of every question he examined and'
never left it until he had mastered it ;to his own satisfaction.' I know-of no
man who had a greater capacity for attracting and • retaining such ' devoted .
friends. His professional and public career was created "wholly by himself and
was a just recognition of his very great ability. It was by his own intellect
and individual capacity that he attained the prominence he enjoyed at the time
of his death. I studied law with him and was his partner until 1880 and my
admiration of the man comes from personal contact and observation
Hen. Fred C. Stevens— The death of Senator Davis takes away ona
j of the foremost and most eminent statesmen of the day, and a man who was de
pended upon by the administration, perhaps, more than any other man in the
senate. He had arrived at that situation in public affairs that in his own sphere
he was almost supreme, and no man living today can quite occupy his place.
No man in Minnesota has the personal following that Senator Davis had, and
the loss that the state suffers in his departure none of us can measure Each
of us who knew him well feels the deepest sorrow and recalls the most delight
i ful qualities which made his friendship one of the choicest blessings that man
could have, . . ' >
Hon. T. D. O'Brien—Senator Davis won the commanding position he
occupied in the senate and country by sheer force of intellect. Minnesota had
reason to feel proud of him and it will be a long time before "another Mii.ne
sotan will wield the influence upon the destinies of the nation that Senator
Davis did. While actively practicing law here he was the idol of the younger j
members of the bar to whom he was always genial, thoughtful and kind.
Mayor Smith— His public life was a part of Minnesota, and I might j
add, St. Paul, and the two because of that association have attained a national |
prominence. I knew Senator Davis personally, saw much of him and watched '
his public career with interest. His loss is almost irreparable. f- 77-^1
Chief Justice Start —Senator Davis was one cf the foremost men of '
his time in national matters. His death is a great loss to the state and '
nation. His place will be hard to fill on account of his unsurpassed knowledge
of international law.
MR. J. A. WHEELOCK'S TRIBUTE.
Fitting Tribute to the Memory of
the Deceased.
The Pioneer Press this morning says
editorially:
"Cushman K. Davis is dead. A star,
we will not say of the first magnitude,
but one of the brightest in the galaxy of
American statesmen, has vanished from
the sky, not to drop into the. everlasting
night if the atheist's sad philosophy, but,
as we hope and believe, to return, for
ever aflame with a purer radiance," to
the bosom of the Divine Father, the
supreme and central source of all the
light that glows in suns and souls in
their due degrees of glory. It has been
known for weeks that a fatal termina
tion of his illness"was almost inevitable,
but the mournful anticipation has but
little mitigated . the shock of the an
nouncement that he has breathed his
"The men are few, no matter how dis
tinguished a part they had played in pub
lic life or In the world's affairs, who are
so j Important in the movement of the
great machinery of its activities that
they are much missed when they pass
away. Other men take \ their places,
and the busy, careless world goes on
with its affairs and frivolities as he
fore. But this is an event which breaks
the continuity of the ordinary . laws of
inheritance and succession. . There is no
"herald to ' cry "The king is dead—long
live the king" for the dynasties of Intel
lect -Cushman K. Davis leaves no heirs
to his opulence of. mind. He will ba
much missed. .His death is not merely
a ' public ■ loss.- - - It is a national bereave
ment. It makes a void in the public life
of the nation which cannot easily or
soon be filled. 7' It leaves' the path "*of
ambition ?open ■to ' his vacant *" seat :in the
senate, but no matter how able or worthy
the man who may be chosen, he cannot
911 the place of Cushman K. Davis. He
was so closely identified with the highest
functions of the government, especially;
in his capacity as chairman of th« Fen
ate committee on. foreign relations,' anil
hi* guiding counsels in matters affecting
our foreign policy have proved so help
fill to the senate, to congress and to the
administration, that his death assumes
the proportions of a national calamity.
And it will be deeply felt by the v pp-e
of Minnesota, who loved and honored
and admired him, as a calami... to the
state which is well-nigh Irremcd.a! <-.
Time, will assuage the pangs, if It shall
not wholly heal the wounds, of private
grief; but the loss to the stale of a
great personality can never be fully re
paired.- Able and eminent men -nay
take his seat in the national, councils,
but none can restore the unique and
splendid intellectual gifts and attain-,
ments of which his death has robbed the
public service. .v. : '.. ,
"He was a great lawyer, equipped with
all the laborious learning of the-'books
and with a keen and subtle dialectio
power which made him a masterful, tig
•ure in the forum*, whether of the-lav/
courts or of the senate. "When his sphere
was broadened by - his elevation to tho
latter body he devoted himself to the
study of international law and became
so thorough a master of this great field
of jurisprudence,- of its -canons and Its
precedents, and of the historic evolution
of its principles In the diplomatic litera
ture of all lands, '.' that, while still a
junior member of the committee on for
eign . relations, he was by common coi>»
sent recognized as the. counselor and
guide of the T committee on all the 1m-
Continued-on Third Page.