The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-01
The LAST PORTRAIT Of y. G.BLAlNE

members of his family were gathered at his
bedside when he passed away. These were
Mrs. Blaine, Miss Harriet Blaine, James G.
Blaine, Jr., Mrs. Walter Damrosch, the
eldest living daughter, and Mrs. Blaines
sister, Miss Abigail Dodge, better known
by her literary nom de plume, "Gail Ham,
ilton." AS soon as the news of the death
spread through the city, callers with mes
sages of sympathy and regret began to
enter the Blaine house. They represented
all classes Of society in Washington, official
and non. official. The president FASTENED
over from the White House to express his
condolences, and he was quickly followed
by members of the cabinet, senators, repre-
sentatives, members of the diplomatic corps
and numbers of others of prominent rank
in social and official life there. Both houses
of congress adjourned on the announcement
of Mr.. Blaine's death, an extraordinary
mark OF respect to one holding no official
station. Equally marked and exceptional
was the action of the president in issuing
public proclamation announcing the death
of his ex.secretary, and ordering the execu-
tive departments of the government to be
closed on the day Of his funeral. The presi
dent pays this tribute to the memory of the
dead leader: " His devotion to the public
interests, his marked ability and his ex-
allied patriotism have won for him the graft
tude and affection of his countrymen aud
the admiration of the world. In the varied
pursuits Of legislation, diplomacy aud liter
ature, his genius has added new luster to
American citizenship"
His physicians say that the beginning of
Mr.. Blane's illness dates back mum Der of
years. Subsequent events prove that at
this time changes were going on in the arte-
rieS of the body which resulted in chronic
disease of the kidneys. The attack Of paraly.
sis in 1887 was connected with similar al.
terations in the blood vessels of the brain
Ina an m, N 10 wi #
falling health were more decided, and in
November, after his return to Washington,
his symptoms suddenly assumed an aggra-
waited form. From this time, although there
were periods of apparent improvement, he
continued to grow worse from week to
week. The symptoms were at first more
directly connected with the kidneys, and
examinations showed hat there was chang.
going on In that organ, and that he had a
form of chronic Brights disease. In De.
cember signs of lung complication APP.
peared, which were no doubt connected
with the general disease. Toward the end
Of December the heart began TO show signs
OF unusual weakness, and on December IS
he had an alarming attack of heart exhaus-
ton; from this he rallied, but others of the
same nature required on several occasions.
Toward the morning of the 9th his pulse
was observed to be very feeble and his
breathing more embarrassed. AS result
Of the failing heart action. mdema Of the
lungs occurred, and he died without much
suffering.
Mr. Blaines death has created profound
sorrow in Washington, where he had lived
for nearly thirty years. His children were
nearly all born there; it was the scene in
his triumphs OF political diplomacy and
craftsmanship, and Mr.. Blaine constantly
expressed his love for Washington and his
desire to be buried there when his life
should be ended. The whole city was in
mourning. kilograms of sympathy poured
in from all over the world, and the fact that
Blaine was dead was discussed to the excu-
sion OF all other topics. State legislatures in
all parts of the Union adjourned as a mark
of respect to the distinguished dead.
Secretary of War Elkius believes Mr..
Blaine has left his family in very comfort
able circumstances. His estate is probably
worth from 500, 900 to $500, 600 In add.
ton TO valuable real estate in Washington
and in Maine, he owned about 900 acres of
coal lands near Pittsburgh, which are worth
perhaps $500, 900, besides considerable stock
aud bonds in the West Virginia and Central
Railroad Company, and also a large tract
of valuable land in West Virginia. Not
withstanding his political activity, he was a
prudent business man. and his Investments
were generally safe.
The funeral services were held on Mon.
day. 1t was tire wish of the family that
the funeral should be private, but Mr.
Blaine could not have a private funeral
Simple ceremonies were held at the house
and TO these the invited few were admitted
but thousands filled the streets and squares
near the house. AT the church the services
consisted OF the reading Of selections from
the Scriptures aud prayer by DIR Hamlin
| the pastor OF the Blaines. The floral offer
ings were numerous and elaborate, The