San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-18
DROPPED DEAD.
Sudden Death Of the Eldest Daughter Of
Secretary 6ayard.

WASHINGTON, January lj-Miss Bay
ard, eldest daughter of Secretary Bay
ard, dropped dead at her home just as
she was starting for Miss Cleyeland's re-
ceptiOn. As soon as the news reached
the White House, the reception was sus-
pended.
Miss Bsyard had accepted an invita-
tiOn to assist Miss Cleveland at her re.
ceptiOn this afternoon. and that lady
and her guests, Mrs. Utely and Miss
Love, who were also to assist at the re-
oeption, was awaiting Miss BayRrd's ar.
rival when they received news OF her
death. Ii was Just about five minutes to
O'Clock. and the reception was to be-
gin at that hour. The Marine band was
stationed in the main vestibule and the
leader was COnversing with Colonel j.
NJ. Wilson with regard to playing a tune
as a signal for the opening OF the reCep-
ton. Many callers 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 Lamont In the pRrlOT 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 upon as
singular. as she was usually very
prompt in such matters, and was
mOmentarly expected to arrive.
While they were wondering at her de-
lay, a messenger notified Colonel La
Driv
Secretary TO Secretary Bayard, was in
his Office, and had something important
to communicate to the President. Col
Onel Lamont excused himself and went
to see Mr.. Bryan. The gentleman in
formed him that Miss Bayard was dead,
and that Secretary Bayard had in
struCted 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 gentleman
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 were notified that the
reception had been postponed. Ushers
were stationed at the main door and at
the carriage entrance to tell callers that
| the house was closed for the day. The
news spread quickly throughout the city
and universal sorrow was expressed 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 the dinner
which he had intended giving Monday
evening in honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Corn
| ing.
The immediate cause of Miss BRyard's
death was heart-disease. She had been
| troubled with weakness Of that 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 eXerted
herself TO the utmost TO entertain the
| guests. 1t is presumed that undue eX-
ertiOn may have precipitated the fatal
attack.
The young lady retired about O'Clock
last night, expressing a wish to be left
undisturbed until noon. Between l and
O'Clock this afternoon her 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 physi-
clans were summoned and powerful re-
storatiyes, including electricity, were
applied, were in vain. The physicians
expressed the opinion that Miss Bayard
had been dead several hours when the
attempt was made to awaken her. In
terment will take place probably on
Tuesday next at Wilmington, Del,
where Secretary Bayard's parents are
buried.
The news of Miss Bayard's sudden
throughout the city, and for time. in
the absence of any definite details, num-
bers of wild rumors were circulated. The
facts as stated above are from an I'M
questionable source.