Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-02-03
BLAINE IS dead.
The End Comes Unexpectedly at
His Washington Home.

Mr.. blalres death, although 1t has removed
from the world character " was prom
nent In everything he undertook, caused but
little surpriss. The news Of r. had bssn 40
long discounted that there remained but the
Inc Of al no ncement at the head Of this dis
patch. 1t was foregone conclusion that
his tattle with death would be the finsl de-
feat Of his life.
Though the facts as to his illnes, haysfrom
the first been studiously concealed through
the official channels Of Communication, he
was a sick man wh-l he returned 10 WasE-
ington to settle down for the winter; death
aud its bereavements added moro and more
to his ailments. He has grown worse and
has continued on his journey to the grayem
fast as the days would carry him.
Science and skill have furnished him the
weapons of defense for comparatively long
time, but death has furnished the end Of
the fight. He was doomed man from tho
start His mind has been almost blanz for
weeks. his lucid moments having bon but
lew, and at times far between; but bis ply
sical lrame has withstooi the ravages Of
wasting disease until now.
Dating from the Grad Q to the tomb Mr..
Blaine's 63years have been active ones. ALI
the trials and tribulations that fall to the
lot of public man have been his, and have
earned for him the peaceful ending OF
career which closed when life's cradle made
its last flicker today.
Mr. Blaine, on his deathbed was surround.
ed just as he had en- almost incessantly
for W, eks, by those wac were nearest and
dearest TO lin. In tact, it was oaly bis
own family aud those very closely associated
with them thai have BEEN permitted TO see
or even hear from him during the last days
OF his life
Trained journalists, calling into rcquis.-
ton every honest means at their command
and resorting to every possible means with
in the line of legitimate journali.m, have
kept most watchful eye on every move
ment without land as far as possible within)
the now famous ''red house" where the dis.
tingulshed stat sman breathed his last.
Naturally enough there has been a dispo-
sition, both on the part Of the family and
the attending physicians to either conceal
or dis,ort in some way, the real coalition in
! the tlaine m ,nsion; but from time to time,
accurate information as to Blaine's condi.
tion has been obtained and faithfully re-
ported. 1t is quite safetosay thatthere arefew
if, indeed, any, journalistic experiences
which could furnish a more thorough ex-
ample of watching and waiting than has the
case of Mr.. Blaine.
Every element of discomfort-rain, srow,
sic and frost--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.
DR.. johnson wa, summoned TO the bed
side of Mr.. Blaine early in the morning, but
his presence was not known to those outside
until lilo, when, in company with DR..
Hyatt, he left the house. Both physicians
were unusually pale, and when accosted by
the reporter for the latest news the sgnif-
cant look in their faces answered the quS'.
ton.
'he is dead" said DR.. johnson, land he
passed away peacefully"
of death, but 1t was observed that about
l0.45 the windows in the room of the sick
chamber were slightly raised.
The news of Mr.. Baine's death spread like
wiIdfire. Crowds gathered on the corner
aud visitors focked to the house Dr. Hamlin
noun ement of death was made at once en-
tered and re rerained with the family for
some time. Word WIS sent to the President
Immediately after the death.
At 1l25 President Harrison accompanied
by Private Secretary Halford and Lieut..
Parker, walked over to the Blaine mansion.
The President showed marked sigus of grief.
Postmaster. General Wanamaksr followed
the footsteps of the President.
The Presidents Proclamation.
"Erecutitc Mansion, Washington is
my painful duty to announce 10 the people
OF the United States tho death Of James
Gillespie Blaine, which occurred in this city
at IL o'clock.
'For full generation this eminent citi-
zen has occupied conspicuous and ipfu n
t1tl position II tue nation. His first public
servi was ip the legislature of his state.
| Afterward for Ia ears he was member OF
the Ma ional House of Representatives and
was three times chosen its 81 eaker. In 1870
he was elec ed to the Senate. He resigned b e
seat in that body in 1881 to accept the posi-
tion OF Secretary of State in the Cabinet Of
President Garfield After the tragic death
of his chief heresigned from the Cabinet and
devoting hi nsel to literary work, gave TO
the public his Twenty Years in Congress" a
most va liable and enuuriug contribution to
our po it cal literature.
IN March, 1859, ne again became Secre-
tary OF State, and continued to exercise this
office until June, 1892. His devotion to the
public interests, his marked ability and his
exa ted patriotim have won for b m the
gratitude and affection of his countrymen
and the admiration of the world. In the
varied pursuits of legislation, diplomacy and
litera ure his genus has added new lus.re to
American cit zensh D.
! "As suitable expression Of the national
appreciation o. his g eat public services and
OF the g. neral S rrOw CAUSED by his death
direct that on the day of his funeral all the
departments OF the executive branch OF the
government at Washington be closed, and
that on all p b ic buildings throughout the
United States the national flag shall be dis.
played at half aft, and that for period OF
3O days the Department of State be draped
in mourning.
"By the President BENZ. HARRISON.
JOHN W. FOSTER, Secretary OF State"
The Funeral.
public funeral was suggested, but the
wichac of ba a., IL IL. oorA-