HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY. 
 
ary, 1881, he left Washington for La Crosse 
passing the 2d of. February at the home of his 
brother, E. B. Washburne, in Chicago.  Here 
he complained of feeling quite ill; however, he 
continued his journey, reaching La Crosse next 
day. In a few hours after his return, he was 
stricken down with paralysis, the result of the 
progress of the malady before mentioned,which 
was tightening its grasp upon its unfortunate 
victim. He rallied, however, from this first 
pronounced attack of illness, and, as soon as he 
was able to travel, he went to the Hot Springs 
of Arkansas, receiving some apparent benefit 
while there.  In May he went to Europe, hop- 
ing the journey would be an aid to his recovery; 
but he returned in November worse than when 
he left the United States. 
Mr. Washburn now put himself under the care 
of an eminent physician of Philadelphia, but 
with no favorable results. He then went to At- 
lantic City, in hopes the climate there might 
prove beneflcial to him; but, instead of improv- 
ing he grew worse. iHe next tried the waters 
of the Eureka Springs, in Arkansas.  In about 
two weeks after his arrival there, he began to 
improve, and soon became hopeful, and even 
cheerful, under the apparent change for the bet- 
ter. As his health now seemed to be on the 
mend, he commenced taking-up the threads of 
his business interests, with which, for some 
time, he had not occupied himself. Everything 
now came within the grasp of his powerful fac- 
ulties. He called to him, from their distant 
homes, his partners, his chief engineer, as well 
as his business agent, for consultation.  Noth- 
ing escaped him. But it was the last of gigan- 
tic efforts.  On April 22, 1882, he did not 
feel well; and in three days thereafter he- went 
to his meals for the last time.  His days were 
numbered. He gradually failed, and on May 
14 he breathed his last. 
The remains of the departed were embalmed, 
and then started, accompanied by sorrowing 
relatives and sympathizing friends, for their 
last resting place, in Qakwood Cemetery, La- 
 
Crosse. They were met, upon their arrival in 
Chicago, by a committee from Wisconsin, com- 
posed of the governor and others of its distin- 
guished citizens. A special train was placed at 
the disposal of the party by Alexander Mitchell, 
president of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad, and all taken to the last home of the 
deceased. Besides this, free transportation was 
tendered by the same liberal hearted railway offi- 
cial to friends from all points in Wisconsin, and 
from Minneapolis, in Minnesota, who desired 
to attend the funeral ceremonies. The proces- 
sion which followed the body to its last rest on 
May 18, 1882, was a long one, and presented a 
remarkable scene of love and respect for the 
departed. 
Champion of right! But from Eternity's far shore 
Thy spirit will return to join the strife no more. 
Rest, statesman, rest! Thy troubled life is o'er. 
Cadwallader C. Washburn was a philanthro- 
pist. The gift to the University of Wisconsin 
of an astronomical observatory, fully supplied 
with the best apparatus obtainable; to the Do- 
minican Sisters, of his charming suburban villa 
at Madison, Wis., as a school for girls; of a 
public library to the city of LaCrosse; and of 
an orphan asylum to the city of Minneapolis, 
Minn.; all attest the generosity of his nature. 
Private benefactions, also, were by no means 
wanting, either in his lifetime or by his will. 
In view. of the many important services ren- 
dered by him to education in Wisconsin, the 
legislature of the State by law made him a life 
regent of the university, an honor never before 
conferred upon any of its citizens. That insti- 
tution in 1873, gave him the degree of doctor of 
laws, a distinguished mark of respect very wor- 
thily bestowed. In his religious views there 
was no bigotry.   He accepted earnestly the 
fundamental truths of. Christianity. He was 
liberal in his opinions and charitable toward all. 
His public-spirit prompted him to make fre- 
quent and valuable contributions to the Histori- 
cal Society of Wisconsin, of which institution 
lC tba  been piresiden~t since Jan, 3, 1 878. 
 
305