Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-02-07
e vas unabls to say anything vith ts.psot

he was unable to say anything With respect
to the loss he has suffered.
The announcement of the sudden death of
Secretary Window in New York, gave almost
as great q shock to his official friends and
associates as did the shooting of President
Garfield to the members Of his official house.
hold. 1t was SO terribly sudden and unsx.
pected that all who heard the news were pro-
ioundly shocked and so overcome as to be I'M
able to express the grief they felt. As soon
as the telegram bearing the sad intelligence
was received BY the Associated Press its con-
tents were Immediately communicated to
President Harrison at the White House. He
was in the Library at the time talking with
Mrs. Harrison, and when the message was
read to him he was greatly distressed arr
almost completely overcome. He imme.
diately ordered his carriage and went at once
TO the house OF Postmaster. g General, but q few
blocks away, where Cabinet dinner had
been in progress, and from which he had re-
turned but q few minutes before. A recep-
ton had followed the dinner so the guests
had not all dispersed. Mrs. Window and her
two daughters and Mrs. Colgate, OF New York,
who Is visiting them, were among those pres
ent at the reception. As soon MS the Presi-
dent arrived lac had hurried conversation
with Secretaries Blaine and Proctor aud tue
Poslmaster-Grncrel, and told them oithe griel
that had befallen them. They then privately
death, and she, without exciting the suspicious
OF Mrs. Window and her daughters, succeed
ed In getting them 10 their carriage and home
The President, Secretary Proctor and Pest.
master-Geneisl MsnHmakeT entered car
risge and followed directly after. When Mrs.
Window and her daughters reached the house
Mrs. Colgate gently broke the dreadful news
TO the bereayrd widow and her daughters
MIS-. Window was completely overcome and
had 10 be assisted to her chamber. The shock
was q ter lb.e one, Ms when the Secretary left
Washington he seemed in the best OF health
and spirits.
The President and the members Of the Cab
met who were resent extended taeir sympa-
thy 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 ban
quet. 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 10
minutes. His ceath occurred at 10 O'Clock.
You will know now to convey the sad intelli-
gence 10 his family.n To this the President
Immediately replied, saying that he was
greatly shocked, and asking them to take
charge of the body aud bring it to Washing
ton as early as possible.
Probably no member Of the Presidents Off
ciai family was more highly esteemed than
Secretary Window. and the expressions OF
sorrow from the President and those OF his
Cabinet who are III Washington indicate how
highly they priced his friendship aud the
value of his couusels. As the bulletin an,
nouncing somewhat in detail the Secretary's
death was read 10 the President while still at
the POstmaSter-G Generals house, he covered
his eyes with his hand and moved away with
out uttering word; so greatly was he moved.
He subsequently said that he regarded It as
great calamity, which afflicted him sorely.
Secretary Blame, in speaking of Mr.. Win
dom, said he was very valuable member OF
the Cabinet aud had worked with intense zeal
since he had entered upon the duties of the
Office in connection with the finances. Ills
death was a great loss to the administration.
he was exceedingly popular with tRe men.
bers of the Cabinet, Mr.. Blaine said, and h,
did not think that one of them had ever had
an unfriendly word with him since the Cab
met was formed.
Secretary Proctor said that words could net
express the feeling that all experienced in the
Secretary's death. Their personal relation:
had been most friendly. "Mr Window, II
said, was a man of such pleasant and anna.
bic disposition that he endeared himself to
all OF us"