The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-07
DEATH OFMRS. WHITNEY
REMOVES ONE or THE MOST BRIL-
LIANT or AMERICAN WOMEN.
sketch OF Her Distinguished Career as a
Social Leader in washington-Her
Fatal Malady and Her Funeral.

wife OF ex-Secretary OF the Navy Whit
ney. died of heart trouble at o'clock
yesterday morning at the residence OF
her husband. No. west Fifty-seventh
street
For years Mrs. Whitney had evinced
symptoms Of heart trouble. Slight at
tacks OF Illness from this cause frequent
ly startled her and occasioned her family
grave anxiety.
For three weeks the patient had been
guarded from disturbing influences and
almost entirely confined to her bed. She
was constantly attended by the family
physician, DR.. Charles Mclean. on the
night before the attack that was the
beginning Of her fatal illness Mrs. Whit
ney gave one Of the dinner dances that
are the fashionable fad OF this season.
She was in weak condition at the time
and the excitement and strain conse-
quent upon the Entertainment Of her
large party superlnduced the attack.
A week ago Saturday evening a sink
| ing spell occasioned Mrs. Whitneys fam
lily and friends the utmost concern.
/ When their fears had grown almost un-
bearable she rallied BY DR.. McLeans
McBurney, the specialist on heart trou-
bles.
Mrs. Whltneys physician realized Satur-
day morning that the end was near,
! but she rallied somewhat during the af-
ternoon. and at midnight her husband
and children. who were watching by her
bedside. were Informed that she would
surely live until daybreak.
| DR. Mclean and Dr. McBurney left the
] f..t,f &c,
| the charge Of her trained nurses and the
| lights were turned down in the sick cham
! Der.
The quick eye Of one Of the nurses de-
tected a fatal change at ten minutes be
fore 3 o'clock The family were hastily
summoned. and at o'clock Mrs. Whitney
passed quietly away, unconscious to the
! last
Dorothy, Mrs. Whitney's youngest
daughter, was the only one OF the chill
dren absent when the end came.
Telegraphic messages OF coincidence
/ poured I'm all day All Of Mr.. Whtney's
associates Of Cleveand's first Cabinet,
nearly every member OF the United States
! Senate, President-elect Cleveland and Sir
Julian Pauncefote were among those who
telegraphed.
Her Life in Washington.
It can be said very truthfully of Mrs.
Whitney that there are none who knew
her but who also deeply mourn her death.
Mrs. Whitney was a brilliant woman.
Comparatively a stranger when she
emerged from private life to become a
lady Of the Cabinet circle. she wen. TO
Washington with a limited acquaintance
and left it the most sought @fter and
the most admired woman who has ever
figured there i'm official life.
ha n
about this state Of things. That she was
queenly in her conception Of what official
cntertcining meaht. and almost prodigal
in carrying out all her ideas, everybody
understands but the fact that all she
did was dictated by a genuine good
heartedness and a wish that all might
enjoy what it was so easy for her TO
purchase, made what she did a pleasure
in every sense. If society in Washington
went into real mourning to-day and Ie-
tired absolutely from the gay round it
would be only the tribute which she de
served at it's hands. and one which she
would be last TO expect or desire.
No Cabinet home. Or, in fact, any other
official or private residence I'm Washington
had ever before Witnessed the lavish
style Of entertaining for which she set
the fashion. There seemed no lmi. TO
her ingenuity in keeping society moving
at a given pace. but there was also no
limit to her bounty 10 those whose share
Of this worlds goods was small.
All the charities which fashion or1i-
nariiy looks out for received new i'm
petus from her helping, and her bene-
factions to the many more that had 10
social Endorsement were just as generous
Her private charities. of which no word
was spoken on either side. We're in keep
II & with her big heart and kindly thought
Of the poorest
Her superb health here was n matter
of frequent remark. There was scarcely
a day when she had not INDUCED by noon
in long walk or horseback ride.
She encouraged all the outdoor amuse-
ments, and her life at Grassands. where
the simpler pleasures Of a country house
were a welcome relief after the drawing
room attractions became a little trite, was
often referred to by her as a great en-
joyment
Mr.. Whitney was just as fond Of Il
as herself. and it was their custom to go
ont there with the children for their
Christmas and New Year dinners. In the
spring Grasslands was the rendezvous Of
all their friends after their late drives
on the days of the paper chases the social
world thronged the old-fashioned mansion
and none were happier than the host and
hostess.
The dates Of the important social occl-
sions In her own house when Mrs. Whit
ney was making the private residents OF
the, until then, staid capital wonder at
her magnificent hospitality, are events
never TO be obliterated In the minds Of
those taking part in them. There are
hundreds now figuring prominently in
society who had never seen her and to
whom the mere mention OF her name
will never cease to excite interest
Mrs. Whitneys dinners and luncheons
followed each other in rapid succession.
She was the first TO make the after
dinner dance and the after-reception
dance popular. Each winter she gave a
series OF weekly receptions. The invita-
tions were sent out literally. Those
whom she knew best were always asked
10 remain for the after midnight dance.
and TO this number was always added
many others to whom she knew the un-
expected invitation would give un-
bounded delight. Her tables were al
ways laden with the best food and drink
that money could buy. There was no
discrimination. all Jared the same.
The christening tea for Baby Dorothy
on Easter Monday. 1887. was an event
such as Washington had not witnessed up
to that date The Christmas tree party
the winter before on Christmas eve for
the little friends of her children and the
no less picturesque scenes enacted when
the children of st. Johns Orphanage were
the guests a few days after are samples
OF the contrast which the famous ball
messed
In ,bfe hal Nrc Tapoao Trnxun