, 1886-01-17
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT
Heart Disease Claims Miss
Kate Bayard.
Washington Society Shocked
by the Sad News.
The Senate Ask for Bread and
Receive Stones.
Kat Bayard Dead.

Bayard, eldest daughter OF the secretary
Of state. dropped dead at her house just
as she was starting to the White house tc
attend Miss Cleveland's reception. The
reception was suspended Immediately on
the news of her death.
LATER. Miss Bayard had accepted an
invitation to assist Miss Cleveland at her
reception this afternoon, and the lady and
her guests, Miss Utley and Miss Love,
who were also to assist Mt the reception,
were waiting Miss Bayard's arrival.
When they received the news of her
death it was just about five minutes to 3
O'Clock and the reception was to begin on
the hour. The Marine band was stationed
in the main vestibule and the leader was
converting with Col. J. NJ. Wilson with
regard to playing a June as a signal for
the opening Of the reception. Many
callers had already arrived and were wait
ing for the door of the blue room 10 be
thrown open. The president was engaged
in conversation with a visitorin the library
and Miss Cleveland and her guests were
chatting with Col. Lamont in a 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 commented on as singular, as she was
usually very prompt in such matters and
was momentarly expected to arrive.
While they we're wondering at her delay,
a messenger notified Col. Lamont that
Harry Bryan, the private secretary to
Secretary Bayard was in his
Office and had something import
ant to communicate to the president.
Col. Lamont excused himself and went
to see Bryan. That gentleman informed
him that Miss Bayard was dead and that
Secretary Bayard had instructed him to
communicate the fact to the president.
Col. Lamont at once informed the prcsi-
dent, who WAS very much shocked at the
sudden intelligence, and the two gentle
men joined the ladies and 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 we're notified that the reception
had been postponed. Ushers we're sta
toned at the main doors and at the car
rage entrance to inform all callers that
the house was closed for the day. The
news spread quickly throughout the city
and universal regret Was expressed at the
sad occurrence. The president upon re-
ceipt OF the message from Secretary Bay
ard announcing the death ofhis daughter,
recalled invitations to a dinner which he
had intended to give on Monday evening
in honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Erastus Corn
ing.
The immediate cause of Miss Bayard' 5
death was disease of the heart. She has
been troubled with weakness of hat organ
and had been treated by the family ply
stefan at intervals for several years. At
the reception at her fathers house last
night it was remarked that Miss Bayard
was unusually animated. and taxed her
self to the utmost to entertain her guests.
1t is presumed that the undue exertions
may have precipitated the fatal attack.
The young lady retired about | O'Clock
last night, expressing the wish to be left
u~ndisturbcd till noon. Between l and .
O'Clock this afternoon her sister endeav-
ored to awaken her, and struck by the
peculiar expression of her face called for
assistance. As soon as the family recov-
cred from the CONSERVATION into which ii
had been thrown, physicians were sum
moned and powerful rcstoratives, includ.
ing electricity. were applied, but in vain.
The ply sicians expressed the opinion that
Miss Bayard had been dead several hours
when the attempt was made to awaken
her.
The interment will take place probably
on Tuesday next, at Wilmington, Del
where Secretary Bayard's parents arr
buried. The news Of Miss Bayard's sud
den death caused a profound sensation
throughout the city, and for a time, il
the absence of any definite details, a mum
Der Of wild rumors were circulated. TIL,
facts, however, as stated above arc from
an u~nquestionable source.