St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-28
B aine's last moments. There were no
las: words. He simply faded away.
CAUSED HIM NO SURPRISE.
A Foregone Conclusion That His
Days Were Numbered.

A Foregone Conclusion That His
Days Were Numbered.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-James Gil
lespie Blaine's death, although it has
removed from the world character
who was prominent in everything he
undertook, caused but little surprise, as
the news Of it had been so long dis
counted. 1t was toregone conclusion
that his battle with death would be the
final defeat Of his life, though the facts
as to his illness have from the first been
studiously concealed through the official
channels of communication. He was a
sick man when he returned to Washing
ton to settle down for the winter. Death
and its bereayementS added more and
more to his ailments. He has grown
worse. and has continued on his journey
to the grave as fast as the days would
carry him. Science and skill have fur
nlShed him the weapons OF defense for
a comparatively long time, but his death
has furnished the end of the fight. He
was doomed man from the start. and
to all intents he has been dead man
for these many days past. His mind
has been almost blank for weeks past.
his lucid moments having been few and
at times far between. but his physical
frame has withStood the ravageS of
wasting disease until now.
Lasting from the cradle to the tomb.
Mr.. Biaine'S SiX6y-three years have been
active ones. Al the trials and tribula-
tionS that fall to the lot Of a public man
nave been his. and have earned for HIM
tie peaceful ending of a career which
closed when life's candle made its last
flicker to-day. Alr. Blaine, on his death
bed, was surrounded just as he has
been almost necessarily for weeks, by
those who We're nearest and dearest to
him. In fact it was only his family
and those very closely associated with
them that have been permitted to see or
even hear from him during the last days
OF his life. Trained journalists, calling
into reQuisition every honest means
at their command, and reSOrtlng to
every possible means within the line
of legitimate journalism, have kept a
most watchful eye on every movement,
without (and as far as possible Within)
the famous "red house," where the dis
tiLguished statesman breatbed his last.
Naturally enough, there has been dis
position both OH the part of the family
ant: the attending physicians to either
conceal or diStort in some way the real
conditions existing in the Blame man
sion, but from time to time accurate in
formation as to Mr.. Blaine's condition
has been obtained and faithfully re-
ported. 1t is quite safe to say that there
are few, if. indeed any, journalistic eX-
perienceS since Gen. Grants illness
which could furnish more thorough
example of watching and waiting than
has the case of Mr.. Blaine. Every eie-
nent of diScOmfort-rain, snow, Sieet
and ffost-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.. Johnston was summoned to the
bedside of Mr.. Blaine early this morn
ing. but his presence WAS not known to
those outside until about 1l:l0. when,
in company. with Dir. Hyatt, he left the
house. Both physicians were unuSu-
all, pale. and, when accoSted by the re-
poser for the latest news, the signlf-
caF-t looks Oh their faces answered oiie
question. ''He is dead,' said DR..
Johnston, land he passed away peace
fully" The doctors did not give the
exact time of DEATH but it was observed
that about 10:45 the windows in the room
of the sick chamber were slightly raised.
Later it was learned thatde came at II
o'clock. The news of Mr.. Blaine's
death spread like wildfire. Crowds gath
cred on the corner and visitors tiocked
to the house. DR.. Hamilton. who was
passing the house when the announce
ment of death was made. at once en-
tered and remained with the family for
some time. Word was sent to the pres
ident immediately after the death. At
1925, President Harrison, accompanied
by Private Secretary HaIford and DR..
Parker, walked over to the Blaine man
sion. The president showed marked
signs of grief. Postmaster General
Wanamaker followed the footsteps Of
the president.
The visit of the president and the
postmaster general was quickly fol-
lowed by calls from Secretaries Ellins,
Noble and Rusk, and Attorney General
Miller and Secretary Tracy, each of
whom remained only few minutes,
and then repaired to the White house.
Robert Blame. the brother OF the dead
statesman, who has been faithful in his
attendance at the house of the dying
man, called with his wife about II 80
O'Clock, and remained with the family
until 1890, when they left i'll tears.
One after another Ill a constant stream
the most prominent people i'll official
life have stopped at the house and left
words of coincidence with members of
the stricken household.
KfIe II FlISnA,S VISIT