The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-28

chronic disease OF the kidneys. The at
eaek OF paralysis In 1887 was connected
win similar alterations in the blood
vessels OF the brain.
curing the summer OF 1892 the evi-
uehces OF falling health were more de-
cided, and in November, after his re-
turn to Washington, his symptoms sud-
denly assumed an aggravated form. From
.'lls time, although there were periods of
apparent Improvement. he continued to
grow worse from week TO week
Inc symptoms were at first more di-
rectly connected with the kidneys. and
examinations showed that there was a
progressive interstidial change going on
In the organ, and that he had a form Of
chronic Brights disease. In December
SIGNS OF lung complication appeared
which were no doubt connected with the
general disease; but as tubercle bacilli
were found in the sputa, It is probable
that there was some tubercuar infection
as well. Much of the distress which Mr..
Blaine suffered was associated with this
disease OF the lungs. and his death was
certainly FASTENED by II.
Towards the end of December the heart
began to show signs of unusual weakness
from cardiac degeneration and dilation.
and on December lsth he had an alarm
ing attack Of heart exhaustion, From
this he rallied but others of the
same nature recurred on several occa-
sions.
From the middle Of January these at
tacks ceased. and the action Of the heart
was more uniformly good There was.
however. a daily loss Of flesh and
strength.
For three days before Mr. BIaine's
death there was no marked change in
his condition. Each day he seemed some
what more feeble than on the day before,
and on the night before his death he did
not seem TO be in any immediate danger.
Towards the morning of the 9th instant
his pulse was observed to be very feeble
and his breathing more embarrassed
AS result of the failing heart action
oedema OF the lungs occurred. and he died
without much suffering at Il o'clock.
During the whole of Mr.. Blaine's illness
the digestion was well performed. and
liquid food Chiefly milk was taken in full
quantities. His mind was generally clear,
except when crowded by uroemia and
disturbed brain circulation. Although un-
able TO express himself In words. he
recognized all the members Of his family
up TO within few moments Of his death.
Drs. Janeway and Loomis, Of New
York, were called in consultation, and
rendered important service by their ad-
vice.
(Signed)
VIM. w. JOHNSTON, NJ. D.,
FRANCK HYATT, NJ. d.
This statement Of the physicians will
not be supplemented by sn autopsy upon
the body of Mr.. Blaine, the members Of
the family being thoroughly satisfied as
10 the cause of death. The body will not
be embalmed for burial. the family OBJ
jecting to any disturbance of it.
Tho Pras{dopt,a Procla,n afion
The President has issued the following
proclamation:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. q. 1898.
ut is my painful duty to announce to
the people of the United States the death
of James Gillespie Blaine. which occurred
in this city to-day at II o'clock For a
full generation this eminent citizen has
occupied a conspicuous and influential
position in the nation. His first public
service was in the Legislature Of his
State Afterwards for fourteen years he
was a member of the National House Of
Representatives and was three times
chosen its Speaker. In 1876 he was elected
10 the Senate. He resigned his seat in
that body in 1881 to accept the position of
Secretary of State in the Cabinet OF
President Garfield. After the tragic death
of his chief he resigned from the Cabi-
net, and. devoting himself 10 literary
work. gave to the public in his Twenty
Years In Congress" most valuable and
enduring contribution TO our political
literature. In March. 1889. he again be-
came Secretary Of State. and continued
to exercise this office until June. 1892
His devotion TO the public interests. his
marked ability and his exalted patriotism
have won for him the gratitude and af-
fection Of his countrymen and the admi-
ration of the world In the varied pur-
suits Of legislation, diplomacy and litera-
ture his genius has added new lustre to
American citizenship.
"As a suitable expression Of the ma
tional appreciation of his great public
services. and OF the general sorrow caused
hv 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
public buildings throughout the United
States the national flag shall be displayed
at half-staff. and that for period OF
thirty days the Department OF state
be draped in mourning. -
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
"By the President:
JOHN w. FOSTER.
Secretary of State"
His Birth and Early Life.
lanes Gillespie Blaine was polh
on the 31st of January, 1850,
at West Brownville. Pa, In mouse
Quilt by his great grandfather before the
war of the Revolution. which still stands
though Scared by time. The Gilesples
and the Blaines were people OF wealth.
and honorable standing before the KeVo-
luton. Colonel Blaine. who was com
missary general of the Northern depa.t-
ment of Wasiingtons army during the
Revolution. whose services Washington
held sn high esteem. was James y:
Blaine's great-gra ndfather. When a smali
child Him Blaine" studied in little req
schoolhouse near the place OF his hirth
and lived the life Of an active country
hoy. who was not himself intended TOT
farmer. When eleven years OLD ne went
10 live with his uncle. Thomas Ewing, IN
Ohio. where his mothers father. Neal
Gillespie. an accomplished scholar di-
1acted his studies. Later he ATTENDED
WASHINGTON College. at Washington ia
graduating at the age OF seventeen. lie
won distinction as a student, ana, indiei-
ting that those traits Of character thae
have been so marked in him during MS
later life come from nature, II Is re-
corded that he was leader OF thought
q nd action among his fellow students.
After leaving college he taught schooi
In