Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1891-02-06

WILLIAM NlNDOh.
William Window, Of Minnesota. Secretary
OF the Treasury OF the United States, died at
eleven minutes past ten o'clock few nights
ago in small serving room adjoining the
banquet hall at Delmonicos, In New York
City, where but few minutes before he had
finished delivering the speech of the evening
at the annual banquet of the New York Board
of Trade and Transportation.
The scene was the most dramatic and
tragically sensational ever witnessed at an
occasion Of festivity in that city
Secretary Window, after finishing his
sp 'ech, standing in front of the table OF the
guests OF honor in the glitterng banquet
hail, sank slowly into his chair. the seat OF
honor, being the first 10 the right OF tho
President Of the Board Of Trade and Trans.
portation.
Few noticed that he was affected in any
unusual way. Applause in hearty rounds
for his speech WAS still at its height.
The Secretary had spoken with particular
energy and clearness His form was erect
and his face aglUw with what seemed the
flush OF health at its best in ripe manhood.
Every modulation OF bis voice and every
gesture indicated the speaker who had him
self and his subject under perfect control.
After the Secretary had gained his seat he
b Stl lOI CfuhpS tilIcS minutes us IL nail
daaed, and then his head sank slowly for
ward.
Dr. =. A. Robinson, of West Brighton
Staten Island, who sat facing the Secretary
at ono Of tho longitudinal tables, was tho first
to notice the change in the Secretary's con-
dition.
| Secretary WINDOWS hoai had meanwhile
sunk almost TO his breast. His eyes were
opening and closing spasmodically.
J nr RphipSnn Ctapnai p,,igl- - Ia
Secretary, but before he reached Mr.. VIM
dom's side the Secretary swayed in his chair
and then slid from il half way to the floor.
! Mr.. Window had lighted a cigar Just before
sitting down, and the cigar dropped from his
hand.
| Others in the room now noticed the con-
| ditton of the Secretary There was an in
| voluntary movement OF those sitting nearest
to start forward, and Judge w. II. Arnoux,
, who had begun to speak after Secretary
! Window, stopped suddenly.
He and ex-Secretary of state Bayard who
sat next to Secretary Window sprapS to his
side. Every one OF the $50 and odd gentle.
men at the tables was now aware that some
thing unusual had happened
One moan came from Secretary WINDOWS
! lips as his startled friends strove to relieve
! him. He stretched forth his hand seized
tumbler filled with water and hastily swal-
lowed mouthful 1t was probably his last
conscious act He gasped for breath. The
! glass fell from his nervelesS grasp.
So intense WAS the silence that reigned in
| the chamber that il seemed almost As loud
as a death knell upon church boil. Then
followed another painful gasp: his head
dropped forward further.
Secretary of the Navy Tracy, who sat near
by, had by this time joined the others who
were at the stricken mans side.
They lifted him to his feet deathly pale.
He was carried into the serving room be-
hind the banquet hall, and everything was
done to resuscltate him. 1t was fruitless.
At eleven minutes past ten he was pro-
nounoed dead by DR.. Robinson aud DR.. Du-
rant, who had come TO the formers assistance.
The tears coursed down the cheeks OF ex.
Secretary Bayard. Mr.. J. &. Colgate, tho
banker. Secretary WINDOWS lifelong friend,
wept like child. Mr. C. NJ. Hendley, Mr..
Windom's private secretary, was completely
unnerved For five minutes the Secretary
lay on the table without sign of life,
At eleven minutes past ten O'Clock. just
eleven minutes after Secretary Window had
been stricken down, DR.. Robinson, whose
ear had been pressed close 70
the breast of the inaninate form to catch
the faintest sound of the beating of the
heart, stepped back and said in a tone of in
expressible sadness:
"He is dead"
A tablecloth was spread over the face OF
the dent man to shield it from obtrusive
eyes and the group o: watchers left the
| room
Then Judge ArnCux returned slowly and
sadly 10 the banquet Lall and announced that
Secretary Windom's voice had been heard
for the last time In that or any other gather
ing. The assembage broke up in confusion.
The News Received In Washington
The CAV world of Washington was assem-
blcd at the home of the Postmaster -General
when news came of the death OF Secretary
Window In New York. This was about
1890 p. NJ, and within a few moments the
reception had come to an abrupt Gloss, and
the guests, with the exception oil tne per-
sonal friends, all departed
There was great CONSERVATION among the
large crowd in the two parors OF the Wana-
maker mansion when the news came, and one
Of the first guests to hear 1t was Mrs. VIM
dom "a the President sought her side at the
earliest possible moment, and broke the sad
tidings to the bereaved widow,
While they were leaving the house the
news of the Secretarys death was spreading
like wildfire about the city. Official notices
were sent to all the public officials, and
a basty conference was called at the
White House Notices of tho death
we're posted in the telegraph Offices, where
thew were read rs theatregoers passed up
Fifteenth street after the play In ten minutes
the news was in every hotel and public place
i'm the city, and knots of people were soon on
the street. re-,
Mrs. WINDOWS daughters and Miss Col
gate, of New York, accompanied nor 10 tns
Wanamaker reception, and it was Just IL ID
when these ladies returned to their home on
Massachusetts avenue, where CHIEF Cleri
Bracket of the Treasury Department wa
awaiting them. ,, e....,.,
In tel, minutes the President Secretary
Proctor and Postmaster eneral Wanamakel
dashed up and entered tho house. Soor
many other friends came and endeavored tc
calm the grief Of the widow and orphans.
The utmost surprise was expressed by
everybody uuscquainted with the Secre
tary's private life as Mr.. Window was tn,
last man In public life in Washington whC
was thought likely TO die suddenly
He had every appearances OF good health
he was temperate in his living and habit
aud very domestic IN his tastes. II Is well
known to his Intimate friends, however, that
!or several years Mr.. Window had suf
fered from heart disease, aud for many
months he had been under treatment by a
Philadelphia physician.
It is also fact that for several months tht
Secretary had been fearful that he would b