The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-25
WILLIAM WINDOW.

WILLIAM WINDOW.
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 Delmonico's 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
speech, standing in front Of the table Of the
guests of honor in the glittering banquet
hall, sank slowly into his chair, the seat of
honor, being the first to the right Of the
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 bis face aglow with what seemed the
Every modulation Of his 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
sat for perhaps three minutes as if half
dazed, and then his head sank slowly for.
ward.
DR.. S. A. Robinson. Of West Brighton,
Staten Island, who sat facing the Secretary
at one Of the longitudinal tables, was the first
to notice the change in the Secretary's con-
dition.
Secretary WINDOWS head had meanwhile
sunk almost to his breast His eyes were
opening and closing spasmodically.
DR.. Robinson stepped quickly over to the
Secretary, but before he reached Mr.. Win
! dom's side the Secretary swayed in his chair
and then slid from it half way to the floor.
Mr.. Window had lighted cigar just before
sitting down, and the cigar dropped from his
hand
Others in the room now noticed the con-
dition Of the Secretary. There was an in.
voluntary movement Of those sitting nearest
who had begun to speak after Secretary
! Window, stopped suddenly.
He and ex-Secretary Of State Bayard, who
| satne1t to Secretary Window, sprang 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 a
tumbler filled with wafer and hastily swal-
lowed amouthful. Itwas probably his last
conscious act. He gasped for breath. The
glass fell from his nerveless grasp.
| So intense c!as the silence that reigned in
the chamber that it seemed almost as loud
as death knell upon a church bell. Thea
| 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 reslscitate him. It was fruitless.
| At eleven minutes past ten he was pro-
nounced dead by DR.. Robinson and DR.. Du.
rant, who had come to the formers assistance.
The tears coursed down the cheeks Of e1-
Secretary Bayard. Mr.. j. S. Colgate, the
banker, Secretary Windom's lifelong friend
wspt like child. Mr.. C. NJ. Hendley, Mr.
WINDOWS 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, DIR. Robinson, whose
eur had been pressed close to
the breast Of the inanimate form to catch
tho fairtest sound of the beating Of the
heart stepped back and said in a tone Of in.
e1pressible sadness:
''ge is dead"
A tablecloth was spread over the face Of
| the dead man to shield it from obtrusive
eyes and the group o. watchers left the
room.
Then Judge Arnou1 returned slowly and
sadly to the banquet hall and announced that
Secretary Windom's voice had been heard
ior the last time in that or any other gather
ins. The assemblaga broke up in confusion.
The News Received in Washington.
The CAV world Of Washington was assem-
bled at the homs of tho Postmaster-Ge
when news came Of thu death of Secretary
Window in New York. This was about
1870 P. b., and within q few moments the
reception had come to ON abrupt close, and
he guests, with the exception Of the per-
onal friends, all departed.
There was great CONSERVATION among the
large crowd in the two par.ors Of the Wana-
maker mansion when the news came. and ono
Of the first guests to hear it was Mrs. WIN
dom, as the President sought her side at tne
earliest possible moment, and broke tne sad
tidings to the bereaved widow.
While they were leaving the housa the
news Of the Seoretary's death was spreading
like wildAre about the city. Official notices
were sent to all the public officials, and
hasty conference was called at the
White House. Notices Of the death
were posted In the telegraph offices, Where
they were read as theatregoers passed up
Fifteenth street after the play. In ten minutes
the news was In eyery hotel and puolic place
in the city, and knots of people were soon on
the street.
Mrs. Windom's daughters and Miss Col
gate, oe New York. accompanied her to the
Wanamaker reception, and 1t was just 1l:l5
when these ladies returned to their nome on
Massachusetts avenue, where Chler CIerK
Bracket Of the Treasury Department was
awaiting them.
In tel minutes the President, Secretary
Proctor and Postmaster-G General Wananaker
dashed up and entered tho house. Soon
many other friends came and sndeavored to
calm the grief of the widow and orphans.
The utmost surprise was expressed by
everybody unacauainted with the Secre-
tary's private life, as Mr.. Window was tho
last man In public life in Washington who
was thought likely to die suddenly.
He had every appearance Of good health;
he was temperate in his living and habits
and very domestic In his tastes. It Is well
known to his intimate friends, however, that
for several years Mr.. Window had suf-
fered from heart disease, and fore many
months he had been under treatment by
Philadelphia physician.
It is also fact that for several months the
Secretary had been fearful that lie would be
attacked by disease and therefore he was ac.
companied constantly by his Secretary, Mr..
Hendlcy, who never failed to walk with him
to and from his office, and 1T all times to be
by his side.
The Sccretary's family consisted Of mar
ried son and two young daughters who have
but recently made their bow to society. The
con lives In Washington, and is in the office
Of the Supervising Architect Of tho Marine