Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-02-20

" w OIL MlnIeSOCd. SecToCaTy
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 erect
and his face aglOw with what seemed the
flush of health at its best in ripe manhood.
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 con-
dition
Secretary WINDOWS head had meanwhile
sunk almost to his breast. His eyes were
opening and closing systematically.
DIR. 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
to start forward, and Judge W. Fl. Armour,
who had begun to speak after Secretary
Window, stopped suddenly.
He and ex-Secretary of State BaVard who
sat next 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 filed with water and hastily swal-
lowed a mouthful. It 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 it seemed almost as loud
as death knell upon church bell 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 resuscitate him. 1t 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 ex-
Secretary Bayard. Mr.. j. S. Colgate, the
banker, Secretary WINDOWS lifelong friend,
wept like child. Mr.. c. M. Hendley, Mr..
WINDOWS private secretary, was completely
unnerved. For five minutes the Secretary
lay ON the table without a 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 to
the breast of the inanimate form to catch
the faintest sound of the beating of the
heart, stepped back and said in tone Of in-
expressible sadness:
HE is dead"
A tablecloth was spread over the face Of
the dead man 20 shield it from obtrusive
eyes and the group OF watchers left the
room.
Then Judge Armour returned slowly and
sadly to the BANQUET hall and announced that
Secretary WINDOWS voice had been heard
for the last time in that or any other gather
ing. The aSSemblag9 broke up IN confusion.
The News Received in Washington.
The gay world of Washington was assem-.
bled 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 few moments the
reception had come to an abrupt close and
the guests. with the exception of the per-
sor al friends all departed.
was great CONSERVATION among the
baker mansion when the news came. and one
OF the first guests to hear it was Mrs. Win
dom, as 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
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 every hotel and public place
N the city, and knots of people were soon on
the street.
Mrs. WINDOWS daughters and Miss Col
gate, of New York, accompanied her to the
Nanamaker reception, and it was just 11:15
hen these ladies returned to their home on
Massachusetts, avenue, where Chief Clerk
Bracket of the Treasury Department was
awaiting them.
49,