Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-19
PASSED AWAY.
Death of Chester A. Arthur, the
TWenty-First President of
the United States.
He Passed Away Quietly at
Five O'clock Thursday
Morning.
A Sudden and Unexpected Change
for the Worst Wednesday.
A Stroke of Apoplexy the Immed-
late Cause of His Death.

H' cieh' ANO'' 10.
Ex President Chester A. Arthur died at 5
O'Clock this morning at his residence, 1913
Lexington Avenue. He had been fsiling for
some time from complication of diseases
principally kidney affection. He had spent
the summer at watering place AMI it was
supposed this had strengthened somewhat his
enfeebled constitution. His death was uu-
expected 1t not being supposed outside his
house that he was In immediate danger His
son and daughter, his sister, his former law
partner, Sherman W. Knevals and his closest
friend, Surrogate Rollins, were at his bed
side.
All reports to the contrary, notwithstand-
ing Arthur's health had not improved during
his stay in New London, and at his return
Oct. l, he was no better than when he left
the city. AS time passed, no permanent i'm
provement came and physicians feared some
such sudden stroke as the one to which he
succumbed. In his feeble condition even a
slight stroke of apoplexy would prove fatal
to the once robust patient, but with the be-
eihhihS VI tbC plescul WEEK udTkeu C0aD2e
for the better had set in. Tuesday the ex-
President felt better and stronger than at any
time since he was taken sick, and commented
hopefully on the fact. 1t was after midnight
when his attendant left him alone in his bed
room, aud nothing was heard of him during
the early morning hours. He was not dis
turbed until his attendant entered the room,
A. M, Wednesday. He found Arthur ly-
ing on his side breathing heavily and he
could not rouse him. The family answ cred
his summons, but failed to elicit any sign Of
consciousness or recognition from the ex-
President. In alarm they summoned his
physician, DR.. Geo. A. Peters, who had been
in attendance upon Arthur throughout his i'll
ness, and who responded promptly and at
once saw he was suffering from a stroke of
cerebal apoplexy. A small blood vessel in
the brain had burst and paralysis of the right
side had entued. From the moment the dis
co,ery was made, all hope was known to be
vain, but no efforts were spared to bring the
patient back to consciousness. They were
all alike, failures. Arthur lay motioness
and speechess all day. He knew what was
going on about him, for he squeezed his doc
tors hand and put out his tongue partly when
asked to do so. but he never spoke or gave
any other sign of consciousness.
Last night the enfeebled pulse was more
difficult, respiration and other signs Of physi-
cal failure indicated to the watchful phy.i-
clans that the end was drawing near. The
change for the worst came on rapidly and his
sisters and children gathered at his bedside.
DR.. VIM. A. Valentine, DR.. Peters and Sur
riogate Rollins stayed out with him all night.
Knevale went home at midnight. Arthnrs
strength ebbed out slowly and with it his lite.
1t was 5 o'clock when the end came. He had
been entirely senseless for hours and died
without struggle
Arthur was 56 years old. He had been a
widower seven wears. His wife died in 70.
She was Miss Ellen Herndon, daughter of a
naval officer, Virginian, who was lost at sea
There are two children. The son Chester
lien is % years old. He graduated from
Princeton College year ago, and is now
studying in Columbia law school. His prac-
tical training he received in the law office of
Knevale & Ransom, the firm of which the ex-
President was a member up to the time of his
election to the vice presidency The daughter
Miss Nellie, of whom Mr.. Arthur was very
fond, is IA years old.
Undertaken Davidson was summoned to
take charge of the remains. This morning, as
soon as the news of Arthur's death was made
public, many flags on public and private
buildings were placed at half-mast Arthur
had lived at 1913 Lexington Avenue for 20
years or more.
Ill.
attending physicians, terminated his life
The stroke came in his sleep between Tues
day night and Wednesday morning and he
did not rally thereafter. His death was pain
less and for hours before the end came he
vas unconscious to his surroundings. The
funeral will take place on Saturday at A.
M. from the church of Heavenly Rest on
Fifth Avenue, Rev. DR.. Parker Morgan of
fcating
Mr.. Arthur was not member of any
church, but his wife formerly attended that
church. One of the distinctive features of
the ex Presidents character was his strong
loyalty to her memory. Mr. Arthur's re-
mains will be buried in Albany rural ceme-
terry in the family plot.
Telegram from President Cleveland.
The following telegram has been received
from President Cleveland:
WASHINGTON, Nov. Is.
Mrs. John E McElroy, l23 Lexington Av
enue, New York.
Accept my heartfelt sympathy in your per-
sonal grief and the expression of my sorrow
for the death of one who was my kind and
considerate friend. The people of the conn
try will sincerely mourn the loss of a citizen
who served them we'll in their highest trust
and won thsir affection oy the exhibition of
the best traits of true American character.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Is.
The flag on the White House was placed at
half mast Immediately on receipt of the news,