Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-02-10
DEATH OF MRS. ". C. WHITNEY.
WIFE oFTHE EX-SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY PASSES AWAY.
kilograms Of Coincidence from Mr..
aud Mrs. Cleveland and Many
Other Distinguished People.

Mrs. W. c. Whitney, wife Of the ex-secre-
tary Of the navy, died at her home. 2 West
Fifty-sevrnth street, New York, at 3 o'clock
Sunday mOrning of heart disease.
Only Mr.. Whitney AMI the nurses who at
tended her during her Illness were present
at the death-bcd, the end coming uneX pect-
Cdly. Dr. McLaue, who, with DR.. McBur-
ney, had been attending Mrs. Whitney, left
her ut $50 o'clock the night before. DR..
McBurncy having left several hours sooner.
" hen DR.. McL1ne departed 1t was for the
night, as II was expected that Mrs. Whitney's
illness would not take a serious turn before
morning.
Mr. " hitney sat up Ii o'clock, at which
hour he retired to his bed and the house was
darkened. A few minutes before o'clock
one of the nurses hastily summoned him,
aud he hurried to Mrs. Whitney's room,
reaching there just in time to see her expire.
So suddenly did death come that there was
not even time 10 summon Mrs. Whitney s
father, brother and sister, who were In the
house. They reached the bedside few
minutes after her death.
The death OF Mrs. Whitney awakened
widespread sympathy throughout the cOun-
try, and all day kilograms and messages OF
coincidence were received by the family.
Among the first kilograms TO arrive we're
those from president-eiCCt and Mrs. CleNe-
lHNhs or Oulluu duHCtlOlc, tue DIlllsu
minister at Washington, and representa-
tives of other foreign legations also sent
messages. kilograms were also received
from number of senators and congressman,
from Mr.. Whitney's colleagues in Mr..
Cleveland's cabinet, and from the members
of President Harrison's cabinet. Many OF
the immediate friends Of the family called
during the day.
DIR. McBurney said that Mrs. Whit
ney's death was due to affection OF the
heart, of long standing, and which became
pronounced about month ago. For the
past 10 days she had been confined to her
bed, but it was only during the last five
DAYS that her condition was alarming.
| Mrs. Whitney was born and reared In
! Cleveland, o., aud was the daughter Of ex.
Senator II. B. PAYNE and the sister OF
! millionaire Col. II. Payne who made his
home with the Whitneys. She enjoyed al
the advantages that great wealth could be-
stow and received an excellent education
in which artistic accomplishments were moi
lacking. She developed musical talent of &
high order.
About - years ago, she Chen Miss Flora
Payne) was married to W. c. Whitney, a
that time an industrious lawyer In this city
of moderate income. Immediately aitel
their marriage, Mr.. and Mrs. Whitney estab
lished their residence In New York, and Tho
amiabe and vivacious bride speedily becam,
a favorite in New York society. When Mr.
| Whitney accepted the post OF secretary OF tn,
navy in President Clevelands cabinet, hi
Wife became the mistress OF one OF the mos
attractive mansions in Washington, where re
tined and generous hospitality pursued 1T
pleasant course for four years.
Mrs. Whitney's extraordinary qualities a
a social leader excited the admiration o
Washington society. Her receptions wer
elaborate and popular with the most intel
leCtua as well rs the most famous men anC
women in the national capital.
A close friendship between the families o
Grover Cleveland and W. c. Whitney hs
existed for the last seven or eight years
Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Cleveland were YER
much attached to each other. Mrs Whitne
gave much attention to charitable work. o
lute wears the whitney receptions in thi
city have been peculiarly noted for thel
unique richness and brilliancy.
Mrs. Whitney was OF medium heigh,
with a slender and graceful figure. A
though her hair was premaiurey white
she had but just crossed the threshold O
the forties, and was young woman In az
pearance as well AS In spirit.