Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-02-04
THE DBArH OF MRS. BArAaD.
The Remains Brought Here from
Washington and Inferred In Old
swedes Ceinctcry-A Life Of Sweet
nnNpehHke Hawaiian.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-Mrs. Louisa Lee
Bayard, the wife Of the Secretary of
State, died at s o'clock this morning. The
immediate cause of her death was con-
gestion OF the brain, brought on by the
shock of her daughters sudden death two
weeks ago. For the first week following
that event she stood the strain and excite
ment quite well, but q week ngo last
Friday she was compelled to take her
bed, and gradually grew worse from day
to day. On Thursday congestion of the
brain made its appearance. She was UNI
conscious for "a hours before her DEATH
Although for years Mrs. Bayard had been
confirmed invalid, she he'd for the last
six months been in better health than for
many years. Last summer she was very
i'll at her home in Wilmington, Del, with
a complication of diseases of the liver
and stomach, and her recovery at that
time was considered doubtful. At the
solicitation of her daughter, Miss Kate,
she put herself under the care of DIR. +.
A. Gardner of this city, and under his
treatment she had improved so much as
to be able TO go into society this
winter, and although still an invalid, she
was in comparatively good health when
her daughter died.
Mrs. Bayard's last appearance in public
was at the White House at the dinner
given TO the cabinet. She seemed I'M
usually we'll, and some of the company
congratulated her on her good health and
spirits. She replied: ooh, yes, feel
quite well this winter. l am so much
stronger since my illness last winter and
enjoy everything now. 1t seems to do
me good to go out" On New Year's-Day
she assisted at the Presidents reception
at the White House, and ON the Saturday
week before the death of her daughter
Mrs. Bayard assisted Miss Cleveland,
taking the first place in the Blue Room,
Just back of the line, and the position of
honor, according to Miss Clevt lands new
disposition of assistants. Her last public
appearance was at the reception given by
the Bayards the night before her daughter
died. The mother that night was con-
slant subject of solicitudo ON the part of
her daughter.
The shock caused by the sud en- and
tragic denth of her daughter two weeks
ago was blow from which she never
rallied, though after the first prostrnting
effects she seemed to bear the heavy sor-
row so bravely as TO surprise her husband
and children, and lead them to,believe it
was permanent strength. They had the
hope and intention TO take her away from
the sadness of her home here us soon MS
she was able 10 go, feeling that the
change to cheerful surroundings would
do more for her than anything else. After
the funeral of her daughter Mrs. Bayard
went about the house for day or two
attending to little household duties, as
had been her way before, and was so calm
as to appear, if not reconcilud, at least
submissive.
But it was tue brave effort of the de-
voted wife and mother, and beyond the
strength of woman broken in health for
many years. A week ago she was again
Frustrated nhd became 80 ill us to give in
creased anxiety, but as an invalid who
had several times before come up from a
serious illness, her family naturally hoped
she might do SO again. Her physician,
DR.. Gardner, though solicitous, was very
hopeful until Thursday morning, when
congestion of the brain rendered her con-
dition hopeless. He had watched her
very carefully, and realizing the import
Rnce Of absolute quiet, permitted but one
OF the family to be in her room ut the
same time with her nurse. Many friends
called az the house to make inquiries and
leave messages of sympathy, but DIR.
Gardner allowed no one except her own
family to see her.
Mr.. Bayard, who, after returning from
his daughters funeral, had gone TO the
Stata Department every day for little
while, was at the Cabinet meeting on
Tuesday, and then expressed the hope of
soon being able to take his wife away for
the change she so much needed, and
which was advised by her physician. On
Thursday he was again at the Cabinet
meeting, and while there a note was
handed him from one of his daughters,
saying her mothers illness alarmed them,
and begging him to come home at once.
He said Immediately. ~ have no further
hope" From that time Mrs. Bayard
grew worse, slowly sinking, and for "a
hours before her death she was uncon-
scious. Death came gently, and this
morning she passed away as peacefully
Us if dropping into sleep. The Grape
which was put on the door after the
death of her daughter was put on again
today, with no change save the absence
of the long white ribbon. Though I'M
conscious for the time stated Mrs. Bnyard
had told her physician that she felt this
to be her last illness, and that she would
not recover.
With the exception of her daughter,
Mrs. Warren of Boston, and son, James,
who is in Arizona, the family were all
present when she died. Mrs. Warren,
the eldest surviving daughter, WINS called
homs to Boston late last week on account
of the illness of her young babe. This
was the grandchild whom Secretary
Bayard hastened away from his New-Year
reception TO take train TO Boston to go
aud see and greet upon its entrance into
the world.
Mr.. Bayard is almost broken down.
The death of his wife following so closely
upon that of his daughter has depressed
him greatly. His friends fear TINT he
will again think seriously of retiring from
public life, and are prepared to advise
against such step, believing that the oc-
eupation of his official position is neces.
sary to divert his mind and keep him from
giving himself up to melancholy. lie has
seen no visitors to-day with the exception
of one or two. All of the foreign repre-
sentatiyes have called during the day to
leave messages of coincidence, but there
were not many calls from public men,
most people seeming to think that the
truest sympathy could be shown by re-
manning away.
Miss Cleveland and Mrs. Manning
called at Mrs. Bayard's house to-day, but
saw none of the family. Colonel Lamont
carried the Presidents letter of condol-
ence to Mr.. Bayard, and the latter sent
back n note in reply, in which he ex-
pressed his wishes inregard to tue funeral
ARRANGEMENTS. All social entertainments
of the administration circle have been
abandoned ono week. The President
to-day recalled bis invitations for the
state dinner to the judiciary next Thurs
day evening. Secretary and Mrs. Whit
news dinner to the Speaker and Mrs. Car
Isle is again deferred, and her first Thurtr
day evening reception, for which cardswere
ont. Secretary and Mrs. Endicott were
to qiya q dinner to the President and
cabinet GU Friday. This also is OF, and
there will be no receptions Mt cabinet
houses on Wednesday next. The foreign
ministers in the city all left their cards
promptly to-day ut the house of the
Secretary. They will again decline in
yitations for week, Us at Miss Bayard'S
death. The German minister was TO have
given two dinners this week, one of which
was set for TO morrow evening. The
Wednesday Club are debating the question
10 putting off its german appointed for
next Wednesday, night, at which Mrs.
IauQhton was TO have received, in which
many of the foreign circle aud the young
people of the cabinet families were to
have participated.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The windows Of
the Rayard mansion were closed tight to-