New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-16


SHOCKED.
Washington, Jan. ID tSpecian.-Mr. Walker
Blaine, Examiner Of Claims ia the Department of
State, and eldest son of the Hon. James q.
Blaine died this evening at the home of the
Secretary of State. He had been i'll for several
days. having had an attack of the prevailing
epidemic, which left him with an enfeeblcd
system to fight against catarrhal bronchitis,
which had set in. Both his lungs were speedily
affected, and yesterday the case took on an
alarming turn.
| The physicians who treating him, Doctors
| McGrudcr and Tabor Johnson, were satisfied
last night that the patient had less than an even
| chance of recovery. He had been dclirious most
of the day. and his breathing was extremely
| labored. This morning there was a change for
| the worse. Mr.. Bainc's fever continued high,
and his temperature up to l02 degrees.
| Great anxiety was felt by his family. Mrs.
Blainc's usual Wednesday afternoon reception
was omitted, and invitations which bad been
sent out for dinner party by the Secretary OF
State hastily recalled.
Early this evening, however, the patients con-
dition seemed slightly improved, and about s
o'clock the President and Mrs. Harrison, WHO had
come over from the White House to ask the latest
news, were assured that Mr.. Blaine was resting
rather more easily and would probably have a
comparatively good night They left the house
shortly after this but they had hardly been
gone ten minutes when, at s 30 m, the end
came The physicians apparently had little warn
ing: and the death was a severe shock 10 all the
household. The Misses Blaine were with their
Brother when lie died.
President and Mrs. Harrison returned quickly
from the White House hearing the news, and
they were soon joined at the Secretary oil States
House by Vice President Morton. Secretary
Rusk called presently, and number Of close
friends OF the family came in as the information
spread, to express their sympathy. Among them
were the members of the Maine delegation III
congress and the Chief Justice.
Dr. Magrudcr traces Mr.. Blaines fatal illness
back to an attack of the grippe. He said to-
night
Mr. Blaine was attacked by Ia grippe on
Friday evening last. The malady was ushered
in by a chill. followed by hight fever, and con
gcstion of both lungs. This condition continued
through Saturday and Sunday, but some
what amclioratcd. On Monday Improvement IN
tie right lung was noted, though anaemic con-
ry,ton continued in the left lung. On Tues
day all Of the symptoms became aggravated.
Wcll-dcvclopcd pneumonia supervcned in the
/
dchrum, continuing until his death. which oc-
CURED almost without prcmonition, at s:20.
Mr. Blaine. while comparatively strong. had
not entirely recovered from the accident In the
spring by which his leg was broken. and from
an attack of Intermittent fever which he sul-
icrcd during the autumn
So Unexpected was the end that, while Mr
! Blanc's unmarried sisters, the Misses Margaret
and Harriet. were with him. his other sister. Mrs
Coppinger. and his brother James q. Blaine. Jr
who were in the house. were unable to reach the
bedside before the SICK breathcd his last
| He died paulessly.
As Illustrating Mr. Blaincs courage and de-
yotion, as well as the condition Of BIS health, 1t
is noted that at the reception given on Monday
evening by his father 10 the diplomatic corps
lie arose and went about among the guests, chat
| ting pleasantly; but hc added somewhat to his
cold by this exposure and cNertlon.
Alr Baiucs death greatly shocked large cir
Gle Of friends outside his suddenly bereaved fam
/ iy.
No arrangements for the funeral Will be made
until tomorrow. the family heinz too much over
come to give a thought to tie burial as yet.
Walker Blaine was born in Augusta, Ne, May
8. 1853, and was the ScerctaryS eldest son. He
first came 10 Washington to live in 1867, hVe
YEARS after his fathers election to Congress lie
was graduated from Yale in 1876, and from the
| Columbia Law School, In New-lork, i"o years
later lie then wcut To 81. Paul, Mimi, where
for two years he was in the law Office Of Cush-
| man X Davis, al present Senator from Minnesota
lie entered the public service IN 1851,
when his father, then holding the
same post In Garheld's Cabinet that
Ac now occupies in President Harrlsons. S. APP
pointed him Third Assistant Secretary OF State
In the winter OF lSSl-o2 ne was sent, together
with Mr. Prescott as a special commissioner OF the
Iniiod states to Chilli and Peru. Upon his return
/ President Arthur appointed him one OF the toy
crruent counsel before tie Court Of Commissioners
Of Alabama Claims In that capacity hc served untll
the life Of the court expired, early in the spiins
Of ls~I During the ncAt four or five years he
resided mainly IN Chicago; but upon his fathers
assuming once more the foreign portfolio at Wash
ineton. last year. he was appointed March IL
+ .ENanirer Of Claims, vice Francis wharton,
deceased.
Mr. Blaine was a graduate Of Yale College and n
member of the University Club III this city, where
/ lie had many acqualntances. He was a con-
/ .n.elous Ggurc in Washington official and social
circle, for many years In outward appea anre
/ Inc bore a strong resemblance 10 his DISTINGUISHED
/ father lie had the large and expressive eyes
the prominent nose. firm chin ana determlHcu
outlncs of the mouth which are the strNInS
/ features in the Secrctary's face.
In his manner, too, he had a great deal oi
| the fathcr-allablc polite, patient, a Sood '2kei
and a still better listener. lie had hrEe
| circle of devoted friends, attracted To nun OS
! ali tho ouaItics which 20 toward making
Young man popular and respected. Had he lived
ic would have made his mark, and fulfilled III
| p high decree the san@dlnc cAPc' V'lohs chuoi-
/ taiucd by those who knew MN ucHt
lie lett an enviabc record Of his indlvidnaI'y'
energy and industry in every official position IN
| which he was placed lie had his fathers conf
dcrcr i'm a ma kcd degrce. more 80. perhaps. than
nny other of the Secretary's children: IN, me
crmpairu of Set nc was constantly at MS lalntl -
| side and more recently he was in more respects
go 49, - -. tr,,.tcd ri.rht-hand man" of the