The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-30
THE PRESIDENTS GRIEF.
Reception Of the News at Washington Of
Secretary Windom's Death


WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Tne announce
ment of the sudden death of Secretary
Window in New York tonight was so terri
bly, sudden and unexpected that all who
heard the news were profoundly shocked
and so overcome as to be unable to express
the grief they felt.
As soon as the telegram bearing the sad
intelligence was received by the Associated
Press its contents were Immediately COM
muDicated 10 President Harrison at the
White House. He was in the library at the
time, talking W it'll Mrs Harrison, and when
the message was read 10 him he WAS greatly
distressed and almost completely overcome.
RECEPTION RUDELY ENDED.
He Immediately ordered his carriage and
went at once to the house of the Postmaster
General, buC a few blocks away, where a
cabinet dinner had been in progress, and
from which he returned but few minutes
before.
A reception had followed the dinner. so
the guests had not all dispersed. Mrs.
Window and her two daughters and Mrs.
Colgate OF New York, who is visiting them,
were among those present.
THE CABINET NOTIFIED.
As soon as the President arrived he had
a hurried conversation with Secretaries
Blaine and Proctor and the Postmaster
General and told them OF the gfef that had
befalien them. They then privately in
formed Mrs. Colgate of Mr. WINDOWS death
and she, without exciting the suspicious of
Mrs Window and her daughters, succeeded
in getting them to their carriage and home
THE WIDOWS DISTRESS.
The President, Secretary Proctor aud
Postmaster-G General Wanamaker, entered
carriages and followed directly after.
When Mrs. Window and her daug hter
reached the house, Mrs. Colgate gently
broke the dreadful news to the bereayed
widow and daughters. Mrs. Window was
completely overcome and had to be assisted
to her chamber. The shock was terrible
one, as when the Secretary left Washington
this morning he seemed to be in the best of
health and spirits.
The President and members of the Cabi-
net, who were present, extended their SYM
pathy to the stricken famil y, and offered
their services TO them.
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY.
News Of the death spread with wonderful
rapdlty, aud although the hour was late a
large number of friends went 10 the resi-
dence OF Mrs. WINDOW to express their sym.
pathy with her and her daughters.
No official action will be taken until to-
morrow.
Probably no member Of the Presidents
Official family was more highly esteemed
than Secretary Window, and the express
sions OF sorrow from the President and
those of his Cabinet in Washington indi-
cate how highly they priced his friendship
ana the value of his c0unsels.
AS bulletin announcing somewhat In
detail the Secretary's death was read to the
President, while still at the Postm aster-
Generals house, be covered his eyes with
his hand and moved away without uttering
word, SO greatly was he moved. He sub
sequently said lie regarded it as a great
calamity which afflicted him sorely.
HE WAS TRULY LOVED.
Secretary Blaiue, in speaking of Mr.. Win
dom, said he was very valuable member of
the Cabinet and had worked with intense
zeal since he entered upon the duties Of his