Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-30
TIE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.

THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Tho President Informed-SIrs. Window
aud Daughters at n Reception.
IBy telegraph to the Dispstch.l
WASHINGTON, January 29.-The announce
ment of the sudden death of Secretary
Window 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 members of his official
household.
THE GRIEF TREY FELT.
II was so terribly sudden and unexpect-
ed that all who heard the news were pro-
foundly shocked and so overcome as to oe
unable to express the grief they felt. As
soon as the telegram bearing the sad intel
ligeuce was received by the Associated
Press its contents were Immediately COM
municated to President Harrison at the
White House Hewas in the library at the
time talking with Mrs. Harrison, and when
the message was read to him he was great
ly distressed and almost completely over
come. He Immediately ordered his car
riage and went at once 10 the house of the
Postmaster-G General, but few blocks
away, where a Cabinet dinner had been in
progress, and from which he had returned
but O few minutes before. A reception had
followed the dinner, so the guests had not
all dispersed.
ATA RECEPTION.
Mrs. Window and her two daughters
and Mrs. Colgate. of New York. who is
visiting them, 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 befallen them. They then
privately informed Mrs. Colgate of Win
dom's death, and she, without exciting the
suspicious of Mrs. Window and her daugh
ters, succeeded IN getting them to their
carriage and home. The President, Secre-
tary Proctor. and Postmaster-Gen
Wanamaker entered the carriage and fol-
lowed directly after. When Mrs. Window
and her two daughters reached the house
Mrs. Colgate gently broke the dreadful
news 10 the bereaved widow and her
daughters.
THE STRICkEN FAMILY.
Mrs. Window was completely overcome,
and had TO De assisted to her chamber.
The shock was a terrible one, as when the
Secretary left Washington this morning he
seemed in the best of health and spirits.
The President and members of his Cabinet
who were present extended their sympathy
to the stricken family and offered their
services to them.
THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
Tho official information of the death
came in 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 at
tack Of heart-disease and died within ten
minutes. His death occurred at 10 o'clock.
You will know how to convey the intelli-
gence to his family"
THL PRESIDENTS REPLY.
To this the President Immediately re-
piled, 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 expected that the remains will be
brought here tomorrow morning. Tele-
grams have been sent TO some of the late
secretaries and relatives informing them
Of his death.
SYMPATHY EXPRESSED.
The news Of the death spread with won
derful rapidity. and although the hour was !
late quite large number of friends went |
TO the residence of Mrs. Window TO ex- |
press their sympathy with her and her
daughters. No official action will be taken I
until tomorrow. Probably no member of 4
the Presidents official family was more /
highly esteemed than Secretary Window, |
and the expressions Of sorrow from the 4
President and those of his Cabinet who 1
are in Washington indicate how highly 1
priced he was.
GREAT CALAMITY.
As the bulletin announcing somewhat in
detail the Sec-etary's death was read 10
the President while still at the Postmas- !,
ter enerals house be covered his eyes
with his hand and moved away without
uttering a word, so greatly was he moved.
lie subsequently said that ne regarded u
as great calamity. which afflicted him
sorely.
NOT AN pEFRIKNDLr WORD.
Secretary Blaine in speaking OF Window
said he was o very valuable member OF the
Cabinet and had worked with intense zeal
since be had entered upon the duties of
the Office in connection with the finances.
His death was great loss 70 the Admins
tration. he was exceedingly popular with
the members Of tho Cabinet, Blaine said.
and he did not think that one Of them had
ever had an unfriendly word with him
since the Cabinet was formed.
EEDKARXD 10 ALL.
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. WIN