Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-02-13
DEATH OF MRS. BAYARD.
Another Sorrow in the House Of the
Secretary OF State.
Many Evidences OF Public SS mpa-
thy-PossibIIity Of His Resignation.

Washington special: Mrs. Bayard, wife
OF the secretary Of state died at the family
residence in this city at $50 O'Clock this
morning. The immediate cause of death
was congestion of the brain, brought on by
the shock of her daughters sudden death
two weeks ago. The 6rst week following
the event she stood the strain and excite
ment quite well. but week ago last Friday
she was compelled 10 take 10 her bed, and
gradually grew worse from day TO day. On
Thursday congestion Of the bcain made its
appearan e. She was unconscious for twen-
ty-tour hours before her death. Although
for years Mrs. Bayard had been confirmed
invalid, she had for the last six months been
IN better health than for many years. Last
summer she was very i'll in her home at
Wilmington. Del, with complication OF
diseases Of the liver and stomach, and her
recovery at that time was considered doubt
ful. At the solicitation of her daughter,
Miss Kate. she put herself under the care of
DR.. T. 4. Gardner, Of this city, and under
his treatment she had improved so much as
10 be able to 60 into society this winter, and
although still an invalid she was in COM
paratively good h alth when her daughter
died. She was about 81 years of age With
he exception of her daughter, Mrs. Warren
of Boston. and her son. who is in Arizona,
the family were present when she died.
The body will be taken to Wilmington for
burial to morrsw, and the funeral will be
held there on Tuesday.
Mrs. Bayard never recovered vigorous
health after her severe illness last summer,
and her appearance all this winter has been
such as to suggest the grave result of any
attempt to fulfill the exacting social duties
incident to the official position of her hus-
band TO very great degree. She was re
lieved Of these by her oldest daughter, who
/ seems has for years been the mainstay of
the whole family, taking on herself the
many burders of large household which
usually tall TO the mother and thus making
herself 50 much OF prom to Mrs. Bavard
that il does not surprise Washir gtOn society,
although the immediate result was unex-
pected that the stricken mother has found
Inc daughters loss her own death-blOw.
| Mrs. Bavard had little taste for society. and
| her delicate state Of health has forbidden
| much indulgence in its gayeties. but Mr..
| B yards official prominence for Tany years
made for her wide circle Of acQuaintances.
| among whom her death has been the occa-
| sion of very keen regret.
The death of Mrs. Bayard will have a
marked effect Ou the social festivities at the
| capitol. 1t closes in absolute mourning tor
a week the White House and the hOr1es OF
| the cabinet ministers, and withdrawS from
society the president and Miss Cleveland,
Il l,h. ,har nft 90 hsiy
/ lies On the announcement of the sad
| event. the president directed the immediate
| recall OF the invitations of the state dinner
| 10 the supreme court, which was to have
| neen given Thursday evening. and Secretary
/ and Mrs. Endicott Withdrew their invita-
| tons for a cabinet dinner on Friday evening.
i Miss Cleveland will not be az horne TO callers
/ during the week. and her Saturday after
noon reception will be abandoned. Secre-
tary and Mrs. Whitney had issued cards for
a series of Thursday evening receptions, but
their house will be closed for this week, and
al scceptancps of invitations bv the cabinet
families for that period will be revoked.
This winter Mrs. Bayard's health was so
,-uch improved that she took her place at
| the head OF the cabinet ladies, and assisted
| ut the presidents reception on New Years
day. At Miss Cleveland's first Saturday af-
| ternoon reception she filled the place OF
honor as hostess back of the line in the Blue
uarior with distinguished grace and marked
coIdiality, which was noted as q most pleas
ant feature of the occasion. At President
/ Cleveland's first state dinner, which was
gIypp in honor of the cabinet two weeks ago.
Thursday night, she Occunied the pace OF
honor at the presidents right. and the ex-
change of congratulations which went about
| the circle of the Official family on her i'm
| proved health and buOyant spirits added
much to the pleasure of the gathering.
There is great deal Of talk about the
probability Of Secretary Bayard's resigna-
ton. Ii is learned upon very good author
lty that Mr.. Bayard spoke to several Of his
more intimate friends about the ACCESSIBILITY
OF such a step Immediately after his daugh-
ter's death. He was strongly inclined then
to retire from the cabinet. both because OF
his earnest desire to be relieved from the
public duties which were bound to jar on
hIm in his grief, and because he is far from
satisfied with his experience In departmental
service. he is reported as having sald then
to the friends with whom he SPOKE aoout the
matter that he had found the duties OF the
position extremely uIcOngenlal, and In othei
ways his experiences had been such as &c
cause him regret at having lett the senate
Ii Is supposed that his disposition to such
course will be very greatly increased by his
latest bereavement. and while the genera
impression Is that the president Will do al
he can do TO prevent the execution OF such
resolution, it Is easy to see that under the
circumstances 1t would be hard to resist ar
urgent appeal from Mr.. Bayard TO he re
leased from the requb ements or duties o.
which he is anxious 10 be relieved.