The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-17
OBITUARY.
Sudden Death of Miss Bayard, Daughter of
the Secretary of State.


Sudden Death of Miss Bayard, Daughter of
the Secretary of State.
WASHINGTON, JAM 16.-Miss Kate Bayard,
eldest daughter of the Secretary of State, died
suddenly about 3 o'clock this afternoon She
dropped dead at her home just as she was start
ing for the White House to attend Miss Cleve-
lands reception. The reception was suspended
Immediately on reception of the news
Miss Bayard had accepted an invitation to
assist Miss Cleveland at her reception this after
noon, and that lady and her guests, Mrs. Uttley
and Miss Lowe, who weresalso to assist at the
reception, were awaiting Miss Bayard's arrival,
when they received the news of her death 1t
was just about five minutes to O'clock and the
reception was to begin on the hour The Marine
Band was stationed in the main vestibule and
the leader was conversing with Col. j. M. Wilson
with regard to playing tune as a signal for the
opening Of the reception. Many callers had
already arrived, and were waiting for the doors
OF the Blue Room to be thrown open. The Presi-
dent was engaged in conversation with a visitor
in the Library, and Miss Cleveland and
her guests were chatting with Colonel Lamont
in parlor on the second floor, prior to descend
ing to the Blue Room, where the reception was
to take place. The absence of Miss Bayard was
commented on as singular. as she was usually
very prompt in such matters, and was momen-
tarily expected to arrive. While they were
wondering at her delay, messenger notified
Colonel Lamont that Mr.. Harry Bryan, private
Sc AIRY to-. to Secretary eta Bayard, was
important to communicate to the President
Colonel Lamont excused himself and went
to see Mr.. Bryan That gentleman informed
him that Miss Bayard wac dead, and that Secre-
tary Bayard had instructed him to communicate
the fact to tho President, who was very much
shocked at the unexpected intelligence, ard the
two gentlemen joined the ladies ard announced
the sudden death of their friend. Orders were at
once issued to close the house. The band was
dismissed and the people in waiting were
notified that the reception had been postponed
Ushers were stationed at the main door and at
the carriage entrance, to inform callers that the
house was closed for the day. The news spread
quickly through the city, and universal regret
was expressed at the sad occurrence The Pres
ident, upon the receipt of the message from Sec
rotary Bayard announcing the death of his
daughter, recalled invitations to a dinner which
he had intended to give on Monday evening, in
honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Erastus Corning.
The immediate cause of Miss Bayards death
was disease Of the heart. She had been troubled
with weakness Of that organ, and had been
treated by the family physician OF intervals for
several years. At the reception at her fathers
house last night it was remarked that Miss Bay
ard was unusually animated, and exerted her
self to the utmost to entertain the guests. 1t is
presumed that the undue excitement may have
precipitated the fatal end. When the young
lady retired last night she expressed the wish
not to be disturbed until noon Between l and
o'clock this afternoon her sister went to her
ROOM and was at once alarmed at the
pailor and death-ike appearance of her
sisters face, and being unable to awaken her,
Immediately summoned the family. AS soon as
the family recovered from their CONSERVATION,
physicians were summoned and powerful restora-
tives, including electricity, were applied but in
vain. The physicians express the opinion that
Miss Bayard had been dead several hours when
her sister entered her room. The interment will
take place at Wilmington, DEL, probably on
Tuesday, where Secretary Bayard's family are
buried. The news of Miss Bayard's death ere
ated profound sensation throughout the city,
and for q time. in the absence of definite infor-
nation, a number of wild rumors circulated.
The facts, however, stated above, are from an
unquestionable source.