The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-02-15

"
JlHEs G. BLAINE AS BE LOOKED IN 1851.
James G. Blaine died at IL o'clock few
mornings ago, at Washington, in the old
Seward mansion on Lafayette Square,
which has been the home OF the Blaine fam
ily since the beginning OF the Harrison ad-
ninistrarion. The cause Of death was e1-
haustion of the heart caused by chronic
disease Of the kidneys and Consequent
urse mic poisoning. n,
The end came silently, painlessly. Ihere
were no last words no scene at the oeasloe.
doctor Johnston simply lifted his hand from
Tho nstient's wrist, rose slowly from his
chair bowed to Mrs. Blaine aud withdrew.
Tho family were alone with their dead.
For three hours they had expected tins
ATS O'Clock it was apparent that announcer
attack of heart failure was near. The family
,rsre at breakfast Mrs. Blaine and a nurse
were at the bedside. The patients heavy
breathing warned them. Whsn DOCTOR
:Tohnston reached the house at O'CLOCK Mr.
Blaine was dying. The truth was WIS
narad to Mrs. Blaine. The patient was un-
conscious. An hour later ne opened nus eyes
s1'epsrad He shook his head fsebly. Other
onastions were asked, to which ne NODDED
rIsnI;es Then he fell into deep sleep. AZ
~ o,clock he turned suddenly and gaspea
When he passed away all the members OF
his family were gathered about his pedsloe:
Those present were Mrs. Blaine, MISS aarrie1
Blaine. James G. Blaine, Jr. Mrs; waiter
Damrosch. the eldest living da1gntef'
and Mrs. Blaine's sister, Miss Staysn Doage,
better known by her literary nom de plume,
..Gs;i Hamilton." Robert Blaine. brother
Of James G. Blaine. was not present
when death came, not having been
not;6ad that a crisis had occurred
in time to arrive at the mouse
,,nt;, ali was over. He came with his wife
soon after IL o'clock and remained III the
house few moments condolng Win mem
hers of the family. Walter Damroscn, tne
husband Of the eldest daughter ana Mrs
Emmons Blaine were not IN Wasnlngeon::
The news Of Mr.. Blaine's death spread IKE
vildfire. Crowds gathered on the corner
and visitors focked to the house. The
President received the news soon AFTER IL
o,cIock and Immediately notified the mem
hers of the Cabinet by telegraph over the
denartmept wires. A few minutes laGer ne
stsrted for the Blaine residence. The Prssi.
Sent renamed but few minutes. he lett
a message of sympathy for Mrs. Blaine, say
inc that ne could sincerely and thorougnly
appreciate the great loss which sne nao sus-
tanned.
Roster was quickly followed by calls from
tho Postmaster-General, Secretaries Elklns,
Noble. Tracy and Rusk, and Attorney-Gen'
ersl Miller. each Of whom remained only
few minutes. They were quickly roAowea
NV Senators. Representatives, members OF
tbs Dinlomatic Corps and numbers OF others
of nroninsnt rank in social and ohcial NE.
Both Houses Of Congress adjourned on tne
announcement Of Mr.. Blaine's deatn, an e4'
traordinary mark Of respect to one hoiolns
no official station. Equally marked anu eA'
ceptional was the action OF the fresiaen1 ~
issuing q public proclamation announcing
the death Of his ex-Sscretary, and ordering
The Executive Departments OF the GtoVern-
ment to be closed on the day OF his funeral.
Ali the State Legislatures throughout the
country that were in session adJourneo ouG
of resnsct for Mr.. Blaine as soon as the news
of his death was announced, and news came
from almost every city in the Union 1ns'
flags were at half.mast.
The messages Of coincidence and sympathy
received by the family came from men Oh
both political parties. Among soe ngmuss Hor.n.
Boies. of Iowa; Governor D. Russell Brown,
of Rhode Island; Governor Kuute Nelson, OF
minnesota: Governor Roswell T. Flower, OF
New York; Governor Pattison, o. fennsyi,
yania: Governor Croulse, Of Nebraska, and
Governor Henry Cleaves, OF Maine.
Grover Clevelaad telegraphed as follows:
s.His brilliant craftsmanship Will always oe
an inspiration to the Nation he has served
30 long and so we'll. Permit me TO extend
nv sympathy ON the death Of your distln-
guished husband"
Tne story OF tie dead mans long sickness
has been one Of unusual endurance under
wasting and necessarily fatal disease. Inc
tenacitv OF his fight against this hopeless
ailment surprised even his physicians, who
knew how enfeeblsd for two or three years
past his general health has been. He was
taken i'll in the spring of 1891 and was COM
pelled to leave Washington for long rsst.
He went to his summer home at bar
Harbor, Me-, where he remained until
October.
For several months he was seriously i'll
and his death was expected. Late in the
summer of that year, however, he began to
rally, and regained sufficient strength to re-
turn TO Washington and resume his duties
as Secretary Of State. His last illness began
about December 10. he had been driv-
ing during the day BEFORE and
returning home, complained Of feel
ing somewhat chilled. He swallowed warm
draught and went to bed. On Sunday, De-
csmber IS. Mr.. Blaine suffered his first at
tack Of heart failure. For three hours he
hoyered near to death, and there were mo,
meuts when the end seemed to have come.
After this it was long and trying seige.
1t was fight day by day for every inch OF
the ground. Mr. Blaine showed the most
amazing vitality.
Everything known to the physicians was
tried to prolong Mr.. Blains's life. The con-
suftation with DR.. LOOMS, the Bright's dis
ease specialist, settled the fact that it was
useless to do anything Of a curative nature.
So system Of purely artificial stimulants
and nourishment was adopted and by this
means the patient was barely kept alive
long after his organs had refused to perform
their functions naturally.