Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
How Mrs. Window Was Informed-The Pres
ident and Cabinet.

How Mrs. Window Was Informed-The Pres
ident and Cabinet.
No event for some time has cast such a sud-
den and universal gloom over this city as the
sudden death of Secretary Window last right.
The news was conveyed to President Harrison
by the Associated Press Immediately on its re.
ceipt. The President had jpst returned from a
cabinet dinner at Mr.. Wanamaker's and was
seated in the library in conversation with Mrs.
Harrison. The President was greatly shocked
and grieved at the sad intelligence He
Immediately ordered the carriage and went
at once to Mr.. Wananaker's, where
Mrs. Window and daughters had remained
for the reception. Mr.. Harrison held rapid
consultation with Mr.. Wanan,aker, MIR. Elaine
and MIR. Proctor and It was decided TO withhold
the news from Mrs. Window until she could be
taken to her home. Miss Collegiate, who is Wis
iting the family. was taken into the sad consul
tation and by feigning sickness herself sue
ceeded in getting Mrs. Window and daughters
quietly home.
MRS. WINDOW LEARNS THE NEWS.
As soon as the party had left the news spread
rapidly, and the say scene changed suddenly
to one of sadness and grief. The President
with Secretary Proctor and MIR. Wanamaker
had followed Mrs. Window to her home. but
were spared the necessity of breaking the ter
rible news by Mr.. George Bragsett an old
friend of the family. who had received a pri-
vate telegram. The scene at the house was
sad i'll the extreme. Mrs. Window at first in
sisted on leaving Immediately for New York.
but finally yielded to the earnest advice of the
President and retired to her room.
TELEGRAM TO THE President.
The President, while with Mrs. Window, re-
ceived the following telegram:
New YORK, January 20.
To THE President OF THE UNITED STATES:
Secretary Window having concluded his
speech and while the next speaker was being
announced, sank down with attack of heart
disease and died within ten minutes--his death
occurring Mt 10 o'clock. You will know how to
convey the sad news to his family.
W. II. H. MILLER,
Il. +. TRACY.
An answer was Immediately dispatched di-
reeting that the body be brought to this city.
GENERAL EXPRESSIONS OF SORROW
The news Of the country's loss spread rapidly
over the city in spite of the lateness of the
hour. Everywhere it was received with sad
ness and grier. The immense popularity which
Mr.. Window enjoyed in this city was attested
last night by the universal sorrow with which
the news OF his death was received. MANY
friends called q. the dead Secretary house
last nigh. and offered their condolences ard
night was on the misfortune which seems to
have pursued the families of those most closely
connected with the administration.
Secretary Window was not only looked ND to
and respected by his cabinet associates as a
man Of ability, but he was personally greatly
liked.
THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET.
The President was very greatly affected last
night. As the bulletin announcing somewhat
in detail the Secretary's death was read to the
President while still at the Postmaster Gen.
erals house he covered his eyes with his hand
and moved away without uttcring u word SO
greatly was he moved. He subsequently said
that he regarded it as a great calamity, which
afflicted 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 had entered upon the duties of the office in
connection with the finances. His death was a
great loss to the administration. He was ex-
ceedlngly popular with the members Of the
cabinet. Mr. Blaine said, and he did not think
that one of them had ever had an unfriendly
word with him since the cabinet was formed
Secretary Proctor said that words could not
express the feeling that all experienced in the
Secretarys death. Their personal relations
had been most friendly. .:Mr. Window" he
| said. was man of such a pleasant and ami
able disposition that he endeGred himself to all
of u.s."
secretary Noble, who also called at the house
during the evening, said that of course the
Secretary death was sudden to all He was
the most delightful and ioyable man whom he
had ever met.
Postmaster General Wanamaker said: at is
the first break in the cabinet and a great loss
20 tic country. With his great ability there
! was every quality and grace to make an ideal
man. Every one loved him. He had bright
mind, large experience and gentle heart. He
was the oldest man in the cabinet and had the
youngest heart
Secretary Rusk was at the Wisconsin repub-
Leans reunion and did not hear OF Mr.. Win
dom's death until late in the evening, when he
| at once repaired to Mrs. WINDOWS house and
rendered his services and sympathy TO the