Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-03-16
EMPEROR WILLIAM.
Germany Mourns the Loss of Her
Sovereign,
The New Emperor Assumes the Title Of
Frederick III.
Prince EsIsmarclS's Announcement of
tha Old EmperOr's Beath to the
ReiclstaS-The Last Hours of Ihe
Aged Sovereign.

BERLIN, March O. 1888.-Emperor William
died at $50 this morning. The Reichsanzei-
ger gives tho following details Of the last
hours of the emperor: On Wednesday, when
his strength began to fail, the emperor spoke
repeatedly to Prince William about the con-
dition Of the crown prlnce and about politi-
cal and military affairs On Thursday he
talked with his daughter, the grand duchess
of Baden, about the dea th of her son, Prince
Louis. At noon he asked for Bismarck, who
came and converSed with him on the political
situation. The emperor spoke clearly, and
thanked the chancellor for hiS services to the
country. Increased feebleness soon followed,
attended with delirium His voice became
feebler and foebler, finally sinking to a
whisper. At five o'clock he was so weak that
the members of the family Prince Bismarck
and Count Won Moltke and the servants
Of the household gathered around the
bed, The emperor, supported by the doc
tors, held the hand Of his wife on one side
and his daughters hand on the other. Prince
William stood alone at one end of the couch
Chaplain Koegel spoke few words of con-
ISOLATION, to which tho emperor whispered oc-
casional responses At $50 o'clock the
patient manifested extreme weakness and
death seemed imminent Suddenly the en-
peror rallied and askel for Count Won
Moltke and Prince William, with both of
whom he talked about the state of the army
and the Prussian people, entering into
minute particulars when speaking Of mill
tary matters, to the astonishment of both his
listeners. he then referred to Germany s
alliances with various countries and stha pos
sibility Of war. But during the latter por-
ton Of his remarks the fantastic: of delirium
were mingled with coherent utterances. This
temporary recovery Of strength lasted till 10
| o'clock At frequent intervals he converIed
in touching, earnest manner with those
about him. Between 10 and 3 o'clock he ap-
peared to sleep. At 2 o'clock it was observed
that serious change was beginning to take
place in the emperor's face, although there
was again slight improvement in his con-
dition. But at o'clock it was seen that the
| emperor's last moments were near, the men,
bers of his family were again summoned to
his bedside, and at $50 the doctors declared
that he was dead. During the last faw hours
the emperor was partially conscious.
| The evening papers contain what are re-
ported to be the last words spoken by the
Emperor They are: Alexander has prom
ised me that hs will not make war against
u.s." 1t is reported that the emperor also
said: ~ am convinced that we ought not to
60 to war with Russia, towards whom the
most friendly attitude ought to be adopted" {"
During the last 80 hours the emperor was
| drowsy, delirious and conscious alternately,
starting at times excitedly to make remarks
relative to family or political matters Once
! he misto * Prince Bismarck for the crown
prince, and. taking his hand, pleaded that he
would always be kind to the car He after
ward recognized Prince Bismarck and ex-
| pressed in broken sentences his satisfaction
| with the Austro German alliance. About
o'clock in the morning he ia ked 30 much
that the grand duchess Of Baden said that he
would tire himself. The emperor replied:
/ 81 have no time to he tired" Prince William
stood Mt the foot OF the bed During the last
moments the emperor did not suffer. His
face wore Tranquil almost smiling express
| sion. few minutes before his death the
smperor exclaimei Fritz, dear Fritz"
Emperor William left 800, 900, 900 marks in
cash. 1t is expected that the funeral will
take place next Thursday. Profound gloom
prevails in Berlin. Rain is falling in tor.
| rents.
The Reichstag assembled at 1890 p. m.
amid unusual excitement in tho lobbies.
Prince Bismarck appeared and the members
rose in a body. The chancellor after a
pause, said:
"The rad duty devolves upon me of max
ing TO you an official communication Of what
you know already, that since $50 o'clock
His Majesty Emperor William has been at
rest with his fathers. In consequence of this
event the Prussian throne and with this, ac-
cording to art. of the imperial constitution,
the imperial dignity has fa len upon His Mai
ssty Frederick Ill King Of Prussia. The tele-
graphic intelligence received by me allows OF
tho assumption that his majesty, the reign
ing emperor and king, will leave San Reno
tomorrow, arriving in due course in Berlin.
! During tho last days of his life received
from the much lamented king n confirmation
! Of the power for work which only left him
| with his life, the signature which lies before
me, and which empowers me to close the
Reichstag at the usual time when its labors
/ are finished. / addressed To the enperor the