The Forrest City times., 1893-02-03
Laustlon,


Although death has removed from
the world a character that was prom
inent in everything he undertook, it
caused but little surprise The news
OF it had been so long discounted that
there remained but the line of an
nouncement at the head of this dis
patch.
Science and skill have furnished him
the weapons of defense for a compare
lively long time, but his death has fur
nished the end of the fight He was a
doomed man for these many days past.
His mind has been almost a blank for
weeks. his lucid moments having been
but few and at times far between: but
mis- physical frame has withstood the
ravages of wasting disease until now.
Dating from the cradle to the tomb
Mr. Blaines sixty-three years have
been active ones. All the trials and
.ribulations that fall TO the lot of pub
lie men have been his, and have earned
for him the peaceful ending of career
which closed when LIES candle made
its last flicker to-day.
DR. Johnston was summoned to the
bedside of Mr., Blaine early this morn
ing. but his presence was not known to
those outside until about 1880 when,
in company with Dr. Hyatt, he left the
house. Both physicians We're unusual
" pale, and when accosted by the
reporters for the latest news, the
significant look in their faces
answered the question. lie is dead"
said DIR. Johnson. and he passed away
peacefully"
The news of Mr.. Blaine's death spread
ike wildire. Crowds gathered on the
corner and visitors floclled to the house.
DR. Hamlin, who was passing the house
when the account of the death was
made, at once entered and remained
with the family for some time. Word
was sent to the president Immediately
after the death.
At ll;25 President Harrison, accom-
panied by Secretary IIalford and Lieut..
Parker. walked out to the Blaine man
sion. The president showed marked
signs of grief. Postmaster-General
Wanamaker followed the footsteps of
the president.
The president received warning of
Mr.. Blaine's approaching end through
& press bulletin which informed him
that Mr. Blaine could not live through
the day. He Immediately had the sub
stance of the dispatch telegraphed over
the department wires to the various
cabinet officers. 1t was a few
minutes later only that Mr.. Mont
gomery, the operator at the White
House. received another message adj
dressed to the president. Blaine
is -" was all he waited TO hear, and
he started on run for the room OF
Private Secretary Halford The final
word dead" reached him as he was in
the hallway separating the telegraph
room from Mr.. IIalford's Office. The
cabinet was Immediately notified and
came to the cabinet meeting at the
usual hour fully prepared. Sec
rotary John w. Foster, Mr.
Blaine's successor. TO the portfolio
of state, was at his residence in COM
panv with Mr. Partridge, the solicitor
of the state department. preparatory
10 starting at noon for Watertown, y.
". where he and Mrs. Foster had
planned to spend week, when news OF
the secretary's death was received at
the department Chief Clerk Chelton
Immediately telephoned Mr.. Foster,
who went to the Blaine residence to
tender his condolences. He postponed
his trip and issued an order closing the
department of state for the day.
The Presidents Proclamation
WASHINGTON. Jan 27.-The p-esi-