Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30

Secretary Of the Treasury William Window
dropped dead at the annual dinner of the board
Of trade and transportation at DeImonico's in
New York city last night. He finished his
speech few minutes after 10 o'clock and had
resumed his seat between President Ambrose
Snow and Secretary Tracy when he fell back in
his chair, from which he slipped TO the floor.
He was carried unconscious from the room and
brssthed his last at 10:11 O'Clock. The banquet
was attended by about $50 of the leading mer-
chants and citizens of New York, who had been
listening with great interest to the clear expo
si.ion of his financial views by the Secretary
and to the occasional flashes of wit with which
he enlivened naturally heavy subject. The
Secretary spoke in a clear, loud voice. His
points were made with the expertness Of an
adroit speaker. He read with huency and
emphasis from prepared manuscript.
SECRETARY WINDOW sPEAKs-
When Mr.. Window arose to speak it was re-
marked by several old acquaintances among
the $50 and more guests in Delmonico's BAN
quet hall that he seemed to be in excellent
spirits and enjoying better health than they
had ever seen him in before. His voice was
strong and resonant. reaching and filling every
corner OF the room, and he emphasized HIS re-
marks as would n man in full vigor. Mr.. Win
dom was loudly applauded. His popularity
among the merchants Of New York was evinced
from the outset, and as he proceeded to out
line the financial policy of the administration
he was frequently compelled to wait until the
cheers which greeted his remarks had subsidized
When nearing the end of his speech these de-
monstrations became so marked that Mr. VIM
com was compelled to ask his hearers TO refrain
from further applause. II do not DESIRE" said
he, TO encroach upon the time of the speakers
who are to follow and who will interest you
perhaps more than l."
THE SPEECH ENDED.
When Mr.. Window had finished the whole
audience rose ami cheered him. Men in all
parts of the hall were standing on chairs and
wildly waving napkins about their heads, while
three cheers for Secretary Window ~ were
proposed and given with q will The gallery
over the door leading to the large banquet hall
was occupied by ladies who had come in early
In the evening. and these joined in the cheers
with which the Secretary Of the Treasury was
greeted.
The scene at this time was one of gaiety and
revelry. Bright with all the attributes that
could adorn . feast. every table was crowded
with men in evening dress, including we'll
known citizens foremost in New York polit-
ica.ly, financially and socially. the assembhpe
representing many hundreds of millions Of
dollars and leaders Of thought and finance of
national reputation. They were being ad-
dressed by the Secretary Of the Treasury in the
most important speech he had made since be-
Mr.. Window dealt with the weighty questions
Of bi-metallism and the national debt, he had
prepared his speech for an after-dinner occa-
sion In it were many flashes Of wit and humor
which raised uproarious laughter, and one of
its fnal sentences was joke about the unful-
filled ambitions of the silver men. II was three
minutes past 10 o'clock when Secretary VIM
dom sat down. He had been the first speaker
and the audience was looking forward to
long list Of others to follow.
HIS LAST WORDS.
The great fnancier finished his speech about
10 O'Clock with these words:
''Give rs direct and ample transportation
facilities under the American flag and controlled
by American citizens, a currency sound in
quality and adequate in quantity, an interna-
uonal bank to facilitate exchange and a system
OF reciprocity carefully adjusted within the
lines Of protection. and not only will our for
elgn commerce again invade every sea. but
every American industry will be quickened and
our whole people feel the impulse of a new and
enduring prosperity.
When the burst OF applause that greeted the
conclusion Of Mr.. WINDOWS remarks had sub
sided the guests filed their glasses and settled
themselves back in their chairs for long even
inSs enjoyment. As Mr.. Window sat down be-
tween Secretary Tracy and the president of the
board Of trade and transportation he wiped his
bros and hlled a glass of water.
Ex-Judge Arnoux arose to announce the next
speaker. ex-Secretary Bayard. He began bv
saying that four years ago, on n trip to Europe.
he had discarded pocketful Of letters of in
PRODUCTION and depended solely upon one from
ne governor OF New York. one from the Secre-
Tar: " State at Washington aud letter of
credit on discredited banking house
in karope, which insisted on paying him in
silver.
HEART FAurRE-
The merriment aroused BIZ the relation of
this anecdote had rot subsidized before the as
semblage was alarmed by loud gasp proceed
iES from the seat o. Secretary Window. who
occupied! chair between Secretary Tracy and
PRESIDENT Ambrose Snow, but a few feet from
where ex-JudSe ArnouX stood. All ewes We're
AZ once turned IN the direction OF Secretary
Window, who IN instant slid off his chair
and lay lack with his eyes set AMI his lace
Paliid and with = CHASTITY expression of suffer
Ing that Immediately spread CONSERVATION in
the room
There vas a movement to rush 10 tine seene
and about half the xssemblage were M once upon
their feet Some one cried. Water! water
and Secretary Tracy Immediately dashed sone
water IN the face Of Secretary Window from a
goblet that was near.
is there doctor present. lis there a phy-
stefan heref send for a physician at once
These and similar cries rang through the hall.
while the 80 diners, in the presence Of this un-
expected tragedy, did not know what to do.
Some arose and started for the guests table.
Others stood up ON chairs with napkins il. their
hands, and others again. with scared faces
moved nervously toward the door. Meanwhile
tie doctors present lost TO time in pushing and
ero"ding up the long lines between the tables
toward the guests table at the end of the room.
HIS LATE ASSOCIATES ABOUT HIM
The first to arrive besides the Secretary Of the
Treasury was DIR. 5. A Robinson Of West New
Brighton. 81. who had been present as one of
the board Of trade and transportation. Half a
dozen OF the most distinguished men in the
United MATES were standing about Mr. VIM
DON. who lay fat upon the noor with his right
arm outstretehed and his left lying BY his side.
was unconscious and his face was purple. Ser
rotary Tracy was standing over him with a fan
and q glass of water q few drops OF which had
been dashed IN his face Attorney General w
H. H. Miller was standing at his feet and ex.
Secretary Rays-rd. with q white face was look
inS over his shoulder. Among others who were
about tine Secretary were President Ambrose
Snow, Murat Hslstesd and Erastus wiman.
The Secretary was Immediately carried 20 an
adjoining room and laid upon "a table and the
utmost efforts made TO resuscitate him. bu,
within few moments the doctors concluded
that he was unquestionably dead. and the an
nouncement of his death was immediately made
20 the awe-s;ruek company, who reverently re-
tired When the stricken Secretary was laid
upon the table one of the physicians suggested
that he be given hypodermic injection of
brandy A syringe was procured aud the in