Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1891-02-06
HON. WILLIAM WINDOW,
Born in Ohio. May 10, 1921.

Chosen to Congress 1858 to 1869.
Appointed United States Senator 1870.
Entered Garfeld's Cabinet In 1881.
Entered Harrison's Cabinet IN 1889.
Died in New York Jan. 20. 1891.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. 49, The an-
nouncelnent of the sudden death Of Sec-
retary Window gave almost as great a
shock to his official friends and asso-
ciates as Gid the shooting of President
Garfield to the members Of the official
household. 1t was so terribly sudden
and unexpected that all who heard the
news We're profoundly shocked and so
overcome as to be unable to express the
grief they felt. The news came with
the paralyzing, stunning force that ever
accompanies dread and unexpected It'd
ings.
Expressions of Deepest Sympathy
Were heard for the widow and orphaned
children, who, ignorant of the passing
away of the kind husband and father,
We're enjoying themselves at Postmaster
General anan.aker's hospitable man.
sion at the very moment his spirit had
l';,s ed through the portals of eternity.
Biting quietly in their private apart
ments, thankful that the worldly cares
OF day had passed. and talking of their
FANNY ;,iI&i.S, the President and Mrs.
Harrison were
Far From Anticio oating tho Sad Calamity
which a moment afterwards was an
nounccd. AS the sad intelligence came
10 nm over the telephone wire the pres
id,.nt's face suddenly lost all color, and
be dropped the instrument, shocked be-
yond expression. With voice full Of
anguish and sorrow. he summoned his
Carriage and directed .he coachman to
drive with I'LL haste to Secretary Wana-
makers, wnere, he was aware, Mrs.
" lndom Was present at reception.
Ine arrival of the president at Mr..
" :tnanlaAers OccasiO leI great surprise
and wonIerlnent. The SEDUCTIVE music.
however, quickly turned the company's
attention, and the gay, brilliant throng
for the time being, remained in ignor-
ance of the sad me ssage the president
HAD carried. a moment afterwards tn
music ceas ed. the news was generally
Whispered about. the merry laughter
became hushed, and the
Scene Changed to One of Grief
and sorrow. The president broke the
news OF the natl MS at11iction to Secre-
talles Blaine and Proctor and Postmas-
ter General Wanamaker, who were
present, and suggested that Mrs: Win
dom should not be told of her bereave-
ment until she reached home. Mrs,
Collegiate, who is visiting the family, was
taken aside and the message of death de-
ivel ed to her. Though almost overcome
she summoned ~her courage, and under
veil of pretended sickness, asked that
She lie taken home. Mrs. Collegiate, ac-
companied by Mrs. " indom and her two
daush. h.ers, immediately left the house.
Tncy were followed at once bv the
president, Secretary Proctor and Post
master General WaIamaker. whose in
tention was to break to Mrs. Window
the news of her loss. 1t was cheerless
ride The party took. Overwhelmed by
sudden grief, not one spoke a word,
Willie each became absorbed in his own
sadness. At Secretary Windom's resi-
dence the president found that his I'M.
pleasant task of breaking the infol7na-
ton had already been performed by q
close. friend of the family, Mr. George
Bracketl. who had received u private
telegram. The president, Secretary
Proctor. and Postmaster General W ana
maker consoled Mrs. Window with
what expression Of sympathy they could,
1t Was a Sad Scene
at Secretary Windom's residence. A
few friends stood in the hail way, their
heads bowed in grief, while from the
parlor was heard the pitiful sobbing of
Mrs. Window and her daughters. The
old colored servants, who worshiped the
secre. ary for his kindly traits, held their
handlerchiefs to their eyes, while they
offered u silent prayer for their departed
master.
AS Mrs. Window, Thoroughly pros
tlated by the news of her husbands
ceath, ascended the stairs to her room,
she stopped for a moment as the presi-
dent endeavored to speak words of COM
fort. and gave way to sobbing. The
spectators bowed reverently. Secreta-
mes Noble and Rusk called 1T the Win
dom residence later in the evening and
expressed tleir heartfelt sympathy for
the family in their dire aftliction.