Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-02-03
THE END AT LAST.
James G. Blaine, the Great
Statesman, at Rest.
After Months of Suffering He
Passes Peacefully Away.

James Gillespie Blaine died at the "Red
House." his Washington residence, at IL
o'clock on Friday, the 9th. The slender
thread upon which life had hung so long,
and which had become frayed by the con-
slant wearing Of the dread disease, suddenly,
but gently parted, and with n last tender
look at the dear ones gathered around him
the great statesman passed away.
Thursday night he began to sink rapid
y, and IN the morning the physicians in
formed the family that nothing but mira
Gle could prevent death. In spite OF the long
illness the announcement shocked Mrs.
Blaine and her daughters and her son very
deeply. Mrs. Damrosch In particular. had
been buoyant in the belief that her father
would ultimately recover, and she could
scarcely be brought TO believe that the dread
intelligence was true.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the family were
called to assemble for the end The scene
IN the death room was impressive. Upto
few moments before the final summons
came Mr.. blaine remained conscious. and
his eyes wandered from the faces Uf his
wife and bis daughter, Mrs. Damroscb, 10
those Of Drs. Johnston and Hyatt.
There were pain and inquiry in his
glanccs, but no words came from his lips,
his slow and laborel gasping for breath be
ing the only sound that disturbed the ST.
lence Of the room.
Al II o'clock precisely Mr.. Blaine drew
his shoulders up and made all extra exer-
ton TO breathe A slight spasm contracted
his chest, bis frame shook, and all was
over.
Some days ago one Of the physicians iI al.
tendance on the invalid said that when the
end came il would be almost without n
struggle, nnd that Mr.. Blaine's life would
go out much as a tired child drops to sleep
after "a ha~I DAYS MAY. hnf
child, Il ough overcome with fatigue, fights
against c'o|ing its eye, so Mr. B'aine, to
the very lat would try to fight off the
spectre which for so long had been hover.
ing over him
The prediction of the ply ysician was veri.
fed almost to the letter.
Mr.. Blainc'S death, although it has re.
moved from the world a character who WAS
prominent in everything he undertook
caused but little surprise. II was foregone
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 n sick man when he returned to
Washington to settle down for the winter:
death and its bereavements added more
and more 10 his nj ments. He has grown
worse, and has continued on his journey to
the grave as fast az the days would carry
him,
Science aud skill have furnished him tho
weapons OF defence for n comparatively
long time but his death has finished the
fight He was a doomed man from the
start, and to all intents he has been dead
man for many days past. His mind has
been almost blank for weeks past
Mr.. Blaine on his deathbed was surround
ed, just as he had been almost incessantIr
for weeks. by those who were nearest and
dearest TO him. In fact 1t was only his own
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.
Up to late hour the remains of the
statesman lay In the same position In which
he expired. Death occurred In the front
room OF the southwest corner OF the third
floor, where the patient had been uninter-
ruptedly confined since the beginning OF the
fatal illness. There was no Grape on the
door, and no indication since the throng of
callers has partially ceased, that there has
been anything unusual to mar the serenity
ofthe household.
Mr.. Blainc's body will be inferred IN Oak
Hill Cemetery, n beautiful resting ace OF
the dead, situated on the slopes Of Rock
Greek banks in Georgetown. Although Mr.,
Blaincs name and fame are inseparably con-
nected with the State of Maine, but one OF
his family lies under its SOIL His eldest
son and daughter. Walker Blaine and Mrs.
Coppinger, are inferred in Oak Hill, In a lot
that the dead man himself selected and pur-
chased three years ago.
When the body Of Walker Blaine lay In
the house awaiting interment Mr.. Blaine,
accompanied by friend, walked over to
Oak Hin and selected the lot In which his
wellbeloved son was placed, and which soon
after received the body of Mrs. Coppinger.
II lies In the eastern part of the cemetery
half way down the terrace in the western
bank Of the creek. The view from he plot
Is to the northeast, and within Its range lies
Sheridan Circle aud Kalnroma Heights the
home of John Howard Pavne, In one OF the
most attractive portions of Washington. No
stone vet marks the graves OF the children
Of the deceased ex-sccretary.
The body of Emmons Blaine lies In one
OF the Chicago cemeteries, so that aside
from the national character OF the deceased,
which makes the national capital the most
fitting resting place for his remains, It,
more than any other, can be called the fam.
lily burying place.
1t Is known that the State of Maine will
ask the privilege Of according to her son
uublic funeral.