Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-26
Business Excitement as a Cause
of Mortality.

Among the singular causes of mortality
that have happened within less than ten years,
in the circles of business men and capitalists,
that of over excitement in connection with
business and financial troubles is very nota-
BILE among men of advanced years. con-
spicuous example is afforded by the case of
the late George Baty Blake, the banker.
The immediate cause of his death was pro-
longed and exciting interview at his banking
house, with u merchant of that city, upon
| business nlatters. The interview closed from
sheer exhaustion on the part of Mr.. Blake.
Immediately upon the departure of the other
party, Mr.. Blake began TO experience sink
ing sensation, which increased so rapidly that
he was obliged to have conveyance to his
home, where he died within three days. Mr..
Blake in his early life was of robust health
but in his youth and vigorous manhood he
was one Of the hardest self-worked men in
Boston. Few men of the present day can
imagine the amount of mental and physical
labor that he performed, bnt he failed to real
izc that, after reaching three-scorc years and
more, such a strain as he could once bear with
impunity would prove fatal.
Two other instances occur which are still
fresh in the minds of our readers, those OF the
late Mr.. James p Thorndike and Gen James
death of the former he was in apparent. as
good health as he had experienced for years.
There was critical state of affairs in the
management of the Boston Water Power
Company, with which he was connected aid
prolonged and excited conference took place
between himself and the president 1t lasted
several hours. At its close they separated.
each complaining of faintness Mr. Thorn
dixie dropped dead within an hour General
Whitney was still suffering from the over-ex-
citement of the then political campaign, and
in a measure realized that his years had been
taxed beyond their strength by excessive men
tai effort, and his interview with Mr.. Thorn
dixie was the final struggle of his mental and
physical powers. The vigor of the former
proved too strong for the strain on the latter
The late David Snow was a man whose
physical powers, if not unduly tasked, gave
promise of many more years, but as age in
creased his mental temperament became ex-
cited upon any strong provocation. A man
whom he had implicitly trusted, and who was
IN high fellowship in his denomination, had
deceived him in money transactions. The
discovery produced an unwOnted excitement
When he had somewhat recovered his chang.
ed appearance was noticed by his associate.
in the bank. He remarked that he felt fain,
and weak, and carriage was summoned te
carry him home, but the cord had snapped
and death soon ensued.
Among the other notable instances during
the past ten years that GENE to mind ar,
those of Samuel +. Dana, James NJ. Beebee
Gardner Brewer, J. Wiley Edmands, Benia
min 4. Bates and Gardner Colby.
Their graphing with business troubles
sudden reverses of fortune, desperate attempts
to recover losses and remedy mistake,
brought into full exercise all those concen
trated powers of will and energy, that bat
made them conqerors in many a fnancia
struggle, when they were in the full Wig
or Of manhood and able 10 cope witt
and overcome any difficulty. Scores of othe,
instances could be cited in Boston and else
where, but sufficient have been quoted to serve
as warning The financial conflicts and
overturns Of the past decade have been un
precedented In the history of American bust
ness life, and those who were giants in Tn,