St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-28
B aine's last moments. There were no
las: words. He simply faded away.
CAUSED HIM NO SURPRISE.
A Foregone Conclusion That His
DAYS Were Numbered

"A + FOfeSOne conclusion InaC Ills
Days Were Numbered.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-James Gil
lespie Blaine's death, although it has
removed from the world a character
who was prominent in everything he
undertook, caused but little surprise, as
the news of it had been so long dis
counted. 1t was a foregone conclusion
that his battle with death would be the
final defeat of his life, though the facts
as to his illness have from the first been
StudiouSly concealed through the official
channels of communications. He was
sick man when he returned to Washing
ton to settle down for the winter. Death
and its bereavementS added more and
more to his ailments. He has grown
worse. and has continued on his journey
TO the grave as fast as the days would
carry him. Science and skill have fur
niShed him the weapons of defense for
a comparatively long time, but his death
has furnished the end OF the fight. He
was doomed man from the start. and
to all intents he has been dead man
for these many days past. His mind
has been almost blank for weeks past.
his lucid moments having been few and
at times far between. but his physical
wasting disease until now.
Lasting from the cradle to the tomb,
Mr.. Blaine's SiX5y-three years have been
active ones. All the trials and tribula-
tlonS that fall to the lot Of public man
have been his, and have earned for him
tie peaceful ending of a career which
closed when life'S candle made its last
flicker today. hIr. Blaine, on his death
bed, was surrounded just as lie has
been almost necessarily for weeks, by
those who We're nearest and dearest to
him. In fact. it was only his family
and those very closely associated with
them that have been permitted to see or
even hear from him during the last days
OF his life. Trained journalists, calling
into requisiton every honest means
at their command, and resorting to
every possible means within the line
Of legitimate journalism, have kept a
most Watchful eye on every movement,
without (and as tar as possible Wlthln)
the famous "red house." where the dis
tI.gulShed statesman Dreatbed his last.
Naturally enough, there has been dis
position both Oh the part of the family
anG the attending physicians to either
conceal or diStort in some way the real
conditions existing III the Blame man
sion, but from time to time accurate i'll
formation as to Mr.. Blaine's condition
has been obtained and faithfully re-
ported. 1t is quite safe to say that there
are few, if. indeed any, journalistic eX-
perienceS since Gen. Grants illness
which could furnish a more thorough
example of watching and waiting than
has the case of Mr.. Blaine. Every eie-
ment of diScomfOrt-rain, snow, Sieet
and ffoSt-haS been factor in the line
OF duty of the reporters who have noted
the scenes and Incidents at the Blaine
residence for weeks past.
Dir. Johnston was summoned to the
bedside of Mr.. Blaine early this morn
ing. but his presence was not known to
those outside until about 1l:l0, when,
i'll company with DR.. Hyatt. he left the
house. Both physicians were unusu-
all, pale. and, when accested by the re-
poser for the latest news, the signili-
cart looks Oh their faces answered Iile
question. "He is dead" said Dr..
Johnston, "and he passed away peace
fully" The doctors did not give the
exact time of death, but it was observed
that about 10:43 the windows in the room
of the sick chamber were slightly raised.
Later it was learned that death came at IL
o'clock. The news Of Mr. Blaine's
death spread like wildfire. Crowds gath
cred on the corner and visitors fiocked
to the house. DR.. Hamilton. who was
passing the house when the announce
ment of death was made. at once en-
tered and remained with the family for
some time. Word was sent to the pres
ident Immediately after the death. AT
11:25, President Harrison, accompanied
by Private Secretary liaIford and DR..
Parker, walked over to the Blaine man
sion. The president showed marked
signs of grief Postmaster General
Wanamaker followed the footsteps OF
the president.
The visit of the president and the
postmaster general was quickly fol-
lowed by calls from Secretaries Elkins,
Noble and Rusk, and Attorney General
Miller and Secretary Tracy, each of
whom remained only few minutes,
and then repaired to the White house.
Robert Blame, the brother OF the dead
statesman, who has been faithful in his
attendance at the house of the dying
man, called with his wife about II 30
O'clock, and remained with the family
until 1880. when they left in tears.
One after another Ill a constant stream
the most prominent people in official
life have stopped at the house and left
words of coincidence with members Of
the stricken household.