Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-06
WINDOW DEAD.
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREAS
URY SUDDENLY SUMMONED.
Participating in Banquet at New
York, He Falls Back Lifeless.
Sketch Of a Man Who Was Twice
Member OF n Presidents Cabinet
Death of Secretary Window.

Death of Secretary Window.
A dispatch from New York dated Jan.
30, says: Hon. William Window, secre-
tary of the United States treasury died to-
night at 10. % o'clock in the banquet hall
at DelmoniCos where he was "a guest OF
the New York Board of Trade and Trans
portation His had been the first
toast of the evening. He had finished
his response, had seated himself
swooned at once and died almost
Immediately. He had been the only
speaker and the sentiment to which he re-
sponded was: "Our country's prosperity de.
pendent upon its instruments oil commerce"
The dinner, which began at u o'clock, was
completed shortly after Q o'clock. and Mr.
Window, introduced by Judge ArnouX
who acted as postmaster. arose to
speak, being the first speaker of the eve
ming. He finished his speech at 800
o'clock. IL had been remarked that he was
reading it off hurriedly from the printed
copy, going faster and faster as he neared
the end, and at the last he had requested
the audience not to applaud. \ culver Of
fear shot through the assemblage like an
electric shock as the speaker finished. Mr.
Window was standing erect under the
glare of the gaslghts. For a moment the
while the banqueters, equally silent,
watched him. IT was a moment that no
one who was present viii ever forget.
Then Mr.. Window sat down quietly-too
quietly, many thought-in his seat.
Toastmaster Judge Armour arose TO intro
duce ex-Secretary of State Bayard as
the next speaker. He began a
short speech, but had not proceeded
far when Mr.. Window gave short. sharp
moan Of anguish and fell back in his chair.
His face grew purple. His lower limbs
stiffened and stretched out Under the table.
His eyelids opened and shut spasmodic-
ally, but there was no CLEAN of intelligence
in the eyes which were rapidly losing the
lustre of life. The cigar which he had
been smoking was held between the grim
clinch of the teeth. For only a moment
he appeared thus. Mr. Window had col
lapsed in his chair and was falling 10 the
floor. His face was CHASTITY, and "A cry Of
horror arose from the late banqueters.
Messengers were hastily dispatched for
electric batteries, and as many as four
were applied To his body, which was rap
idly growing cold. This was exactly at
10 % p. IN. For six minutes the electric
shocks were applied necessarily, but with
out success. He was then pronounced
dead by Drs. Robinson and Durant. Il
would say that the cause Of his death was
apopexy." said DIR. Robinson. ''if il was
not for the history Of heart disease. ] am
inclined 10 think heart disease killed him.
Mr. Window was subject 10 fits of heart
failure. On Tuesday last he was seized
with an attack while on the steps Of the
treasury at Washington, but he did not
lose consciousness and was able 10 take
care of himself
William Window was born in Belmont
county, o.. on May 10, 1927, OF Quaker
parents. When he had completed his pre-
liminary education he studied law and was
admitted TO the bar at Mt. Vernon in 1858.
Two years later he went TO Winona. Mimi,
where he practiced law until 1929, when
ne was elected TO congress, and reelected
for four succeeding terms. In 1871 nc was
elected 10 the United States senate and
reelected in 1877. President Garfield
made him secretary Of the treasury. but
he resigned after Gen. Arthur's accession,
and was returned TO the senate by the
Minnesota legislature TO fill out his uneX-
pired term. In 1898 Mr.. Window was
again a candidate for the senate, and was
apparently the choice Of the republicans of
the state, but he was bitterly and ener-
getically opposed by NJ. II. Dunnell, mem
Der of congress from the first Mime
sofa district In caucus Mr.. Window re-
ceived s3 votes out of 81 necessary 10 a
choice. Dunnell fought him openly and
secretly, and the deadlock continued for
some time. Finally break was made and
Dwight NJ Sabin was elected. After his
defeat for the senate Mr. Window spent
most of his time in New York until called
by President Harrison TO his cabinet to
take the treasury portfolio.