The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-01-30

left the Wanamaker mansion the brilliant
and Joyous entertainment came TO an end
and the guests dispersed,
The President and Mrs. Harrison had
started home a few moment before the
sad news came, only to be apprised of 1t
when they reached the Executive Mansion.
The President was so shocked II over
come by the sudden announcement that he
was unable to say anything with respect
TO the loss he has suffered.
President and Cabinet Shocked.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The announce
ment of the sudden death of Secretary Win
dom, in New York, tonight, gave almost
as great a shock to his official
friends and associates as did the
shooting of President Garfield to the men,
riblv sudden and unexpected that all who
heard the news were profoundly shocked
and so overcome as to De unable
to express the grief they felt. As soon as
the telegram bearing the sa4 intelligence
was received by the Associated Press its
contents were Immediately communicated
to President Harrison, at the White House.
He was In che library at the time, talk
the message was s1 reSd to anu him be
was greatly distressed and almost COM
pletely overcome H~eimmediately ordered
his carriage. and went at once to the house
OF the Postmaster-general. but q few blocks
been in progress, and from which SIne he had
returned but q few minutes before.
A reception had followed the dinner. so the
guests had not all dispersed. Mrs. Window
and her W daughters, and Mrs. G.
Colgate. of New York. WHO'S visiting, were
among those present at the reception.
As soon as the President arrived he had
a hurried conversation with Secretaries
Blaine and Proctor and the Postmaster
general, and told them of the grief that had
i EefalIen them hsu They then privately ;v
dom's death. and she. without excit-
ing the suspicious of Mrs. Window and her
daughters, succeeded in getting them
into their carriage and home. Secre-
tary Proctor and Postmasser-general Wan
amaker entered e carriage and followed
directly after. When Mrs. Window n
her daughters reached the house. Mrs.
Colgate gently broke the dreadful news
to the bereaved widow and her daughters
Mrs. Window was completely overcome
and had to be assisted to her chamber.
The shock was a terrible one. as when the
Secretary left Washington this morning he
secuted in the best health and spirits. The
President and the members of his cabinet
who were present extended their SYM
pathies to the stricken family and offered
their services to them.
official information of the death came
In a telegram from Secretary Tracy and
Attorney-general Miller, who were present
at the banquet. 1t said:
Secretary Window having concluded his
speech and while the next speaker was being
announced, sank down with an attack of heart
disease and died within ten minutes. His death
occurred at 10 o'clock. You will know how TO
convey the intelligence to his family.
To this the President replied, saying that
he was greatly shocked and asking them to
take charge of the body and bring it to
Washington as early as possible. 1t is ex-
pected thatthe remains will be brought here
tomorrow morning. kilograms have been
sent to some of the late Secretary's rela-
tives informing them of his death.
A SHOCK TO HIS COLLEAGUES.
The news of the death spread with won
derful rapidity. and, although the hour was
late. quite a large number of friends went
to the residence of Mrs. Window to express
their sympathies with her and her daugh-
ters' No official action will be taken until
tomorrow. Probably no member of the
Presidents official family was more highly
esteemed than Secretary Window. and the
and those of his Cabinet who are in WASH
ington indicate how highly they priced his
friendship and the value of his counsels.
As the bulletin announcing tOmewhar in
detail the Secretary's death was read to
the President while still at the Postmaster
generals house he covered his eyes with his
hand and moved away without uttering a
word. SO greatly was he moved. He subse-
quently said that he regarded it as a great
calamity, which afflicted him sOrely.
Secretary Blaine. in speaking of Mr..
Window, said he was a very valuable men,
Der of the Cabinet, and had worked with
intense zeal since he had entered upon the
duties of the Office In connection with
the finances. His death was q
great loss to the administration.
He was exceedingly popular with the mem
bers of the Cabinet, Mr.. Blaine said. and
he did not think that one one of them had
ever had an unfrlendly word with him
since the Cabinet was formed.
Secretary Proctor said that words could
not express the feeling that all experienced
In. the Secretary's death. Their personal
relations had been most friendly. "Mr.
Window" he said. was a man of such q
pleasant and amiable disposition that be
endeared himself to all of u.s."
secretary Noble, who also called at the
house during the evening, said that of
course the Secretary's death was sudden to
us all. He was the most delightful and
lovable man whom he had ever met.
P05tmaster-general Wanamaker said: 1T
is the first break in the Cabinet and a great
loss to the country. With his great ability
there was every quality and grace to make
an ideal man. Everyone loved him. He
had a bright mind. large experience and a
gentle spirit. He was the oldest man in the
Cabinet and had the youngest hearth
Secretary Rusk was at the Wisconsin Re-
publican reunion. and did not hear of Mr..
WINDOWS death until late in the evening.
when he at once repaired to Mrs. WINDOWS
home and rendered his services aud SYM
pathy to the family.