Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-17
DEATH OF MISS BAYARD.
HER SUDDEN TAKINGOFF.
The secretary OF states Eldest Daughter
Dies jas, % she was About TO Depsr FER
the White House to Attend Miss Cievsiand's

the White House TO Attend Miss Cievsiand's
Reception.
iBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, January l6.-Miss
Kate Bayard, eldest daughter Of the
Secretary Of State, died suddenly about
8 O'Clock this afternoon. Tho recep-
ton at the White House was suspended
Immediately upon receipt Of the news
of her death. Miss Baysrd died at
home Just as she was starting to the
White House to attend Miss Cleve-
lands reception.
Miss Bsyard had accepted an invita-
tion to assist Miss Cleveland at her re-
ception this afternoon, and that lady
and her guests, Mrs. Utley and Miss
Love, who were also to assist at the
reception, were waiting Miss Bayard's
arrival when they received the news Of
her death. II was just about five mi
nutes TO 3 o'clock, and the reception
was to begin at that hour. The Ma
rine band was stationed in the main
yestibule, and the leader was convers-
ing with Colonel j. NJ. Wilson with re-
gard to playing tune as signal Tor
the opening Of the reception. Many cali
ers had already arrived and were waiting
for the doors Of the Blue Room to be
thrown open. The President was engaged
in conversation with q visitor in the
library, and Miss Cleveland and her
guests were chatting with Colonel La
mont in the parlor on the second floor,
prior to descending to the Blue Room,
where the reception was to take place.
The absence of Miss Bayard was COM
mented on as singular, asshe wasusually
very prompt in such matters. and was
momentarily expected to arrive. While
they were wondering ut her delay q
messenger notified Colonel Lamont that
Harry Bryan, private secretary to
Secretary Bayard, was in his office and
had something important" to com
municate to the President. Colonel
Lamont excused himself and went
to see Mr.. Bryan. That gentleman
informed him that Miss Bayard was
dead, and that Secretary Bayard had
instructed him to communicate the fact
to the President. Colonel Lamont at
once informed the President, who was
very much shocked at the unexpected
intelligence, and the two gentlemen
Joined the ladies and announced the
sudden death Of their friend. Orders
were at once issued to close he house,
the band was dismissed, and the people
in waiting notified that the reception
had been postponed. Ushers were sta
toned at the main door and the carriage
entrance to inform all callers that the
heuse was closed for the day.
The news spread quickly through the
city, and universal regret was express
ed at the sad occurrence.
The President, upon receipt of the
message from Secretary Bayard an
nouncing the death Of his daughter, re-
called the invitations to dinner which
he had intended to give Monday eve
ming in honor Of Mr.. and Mrs. Erastus
Corning.
HEART-DISEASp THE CAUSE.
The immediate cause Of Miss Bay
ards death was disease of the heart.
She had been troubled with weakness of
that organ, and had been treated by the
family ply sician at intervals for seve-
raj years. At a reception at her
fathers house last night it was re-
marked that Miss Bayard was unusual
ly animated and taxed herself to the
utmost to entertain the guests. IL is
presumed that undue eAertion may have
pIecipitated the fatal attack. The
young lady retired about | o'clock, ex-
pressing a wish to be left undisturbed
ill noon. Between | and = O'Clock
this afternoon a younger sister en-
deavOred to awaken her, and, struck
by the peculiar expression Of her face,
called for assistance. AS soon as the
family recovered from the CONSERVATION
into which it had been thrown, ply
scians were summoned, and powerful
restoratiyes, including electricity, were
applied, but in vain The physicians
expressed the opinion that Miss Bay
ard had been dead for several hours
when the attempt was made to awaken
her. The interment will take place
probably on Tuesday next at Whining
ton, Del, where Secretary Bayard's
parents are entombed.
The news Of Miss Bayard's sudden
death caused a profound sensation
throughout the city, and for time, in
the absence of any definite details, a
number of wild rumors were circg-
lated. The facts, however. Al stated
above, are from an unquestions ole
source,