The record-union., 1891-01-30
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
Universal Sorrow Over the Secretary's
Sudden Death.

Sudden Death.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The announce
ment of the sudden death of Secretary
Window in New York was so terribly
sudden and unexpected that all who
heard the news were profoundly shocked
and so overcome as to be unable to ex-
press the grief they felt.
AS soon as the telegram bearing the sad
intelligence was received by the Asso-
| ciated Press its contents were immedi-
ately communicated to President Harri-
son 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
and almost completely overcome
He Immediately ordered his carriage
and went at once to the house of the
Postmaster-General. but few blocks
away, where a cabinet dinner had been
in progress, and from which he returned
but a few minutes before. A reception
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 present.
AS soon as the President arrived, he
had hurried conversation with Secre-
taries Blaine and Proctor, and the Post
master-General, and told them OF the
grief that had befallen them. They then
privately informed Mrs. Colgate, of Mr..
WINDOWS death, and she, without excit-
ing the suspicious of Mrs. Window and
daughters, succeeded in getting them to
their carriage and home. The President,
Secretary Proctor and Postmaster-Ge
eral Wanamake rentered their carriages
and followed directly after her.
When Mrs. Window and her daughters
reached the house, Mrs. Colgate gently
broke the dreadful news to the bereaved
widow and daughters. Mrs. Window
was completely overcome, and had to be
escorted 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 the Cab
net who were present extended sympathy
to the stricken family and offered their
services to them.
The news of his death spread with Won
derful rapidity, and, although the hour
was late, large number of friends went
to the residence of Mrs. Window to eX-
press sympathy 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 expressions
of sorrow from the President and those
of his Cabinet in Washington indicate
how highly they priced his friendship
and valued his counsels.
AS bulletin, announcing somewhat in
detail the Secretary's death, was read to
the President, while still at the Post
master Generals house, he covered his
eyes with his hands and moved away
without uttering word, so greatly was
he moved. He subsequently, said he re-
garded it as a great calamity, which af-
flicted him sorely.
Secretary Blaine, in speaking of Mr..
| Window, said he was very valuable
member of the Cabinet, and had worked
with intense zeal since he entered upon
the duties of the office. His death was
great loss to the Administration. He was
exceedingly popular with the members of
the Cabinet, Mr.. Blaine said, and he did
not think one of them ever had an un-
friendly word with him since the Cabi-
net was formed.
Secretary Proctor said words could not
express the feeling that all experienced
in the Secretary's death. Their personal
relations had been most friendly.
Secretary Noble said the deceased was
the most delightful and lovable man
whom he ever met.
Postmaster-G General Wanamaker said:
''It is the first break in the Cabinet. and
q great loss to the country. With his
great ability there was every quality and
grace to make an ideal man. Everyone
loved him.
Secretary Rusk did not hear of the Sec
retary's death until late in the evening.
when he at once repaired to Mrs. Win
dom's house and rendered his services
and sympathy.