Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-02-04
BLAINE is dead.
The End Comes Unexpectedly at
His Washington Home.

James Gillespie Blaine died rather uuer-
pectedly at IL O'Clock Friday Morning.
Mr.. Blaines death, although it has removed
from the world character W was pros Z.
nent in everything he undertook. caused but
little SURPRISE. The news of it had been so
long discounted that thei remained but the
ne of afro nesnent at the be i'd OF this dis
patch. 1t was a foregone coaolusion that
his cattle with death would 10 the flual de-
feat Of his life
Though the facts as to h. illues; have from
the first been studiousy concealed through
the official channels of c1mmuni. alton, he
was a sick man VIII 81 he returned TO Wash
ington to settle down for the winter; death
and its bereavements added more and more
to his ailments. He has grown worse and
has continued on his journey to the grave ss
fast as the days wouli carry him.
Science and skill have furnished him the
weapons of defense for comparatively long
time, but death has furnished the end Of
the fight. He was a doomed man from the
start. His mind has been almost blaps for
weeks, his lucid moments having be but
lew, aud at times far between; but his ply
steal frame has withstood the rivages of
wasting disease until now.
Dating from the Grad to the tomb Mr..
Blaine'S 63 years have been active ones ALI
the trials and tribulations that fall TO the
lot of a public man have been his, and have
earned for him the peaceful ending OF a
career which closed when life's cradle made
its last flicker today.
Mr.. Blaine, on his deathbed was surround
ed, just as he lad en- almost necessarily
for weeks, by those who were nearest aud
dearest to him. Ia fast, il was oaly his
own family and those very closely associated
with them that have been permitted to see
or even hear from him during tho last days
OF his life
Trained journalists, calling into =, quisi-
ton every honest mems at their command
and resorting to every possible means with
in the line of legitimate Journal m, We
kept most watchful eye on every move
ment without land as far as possible Within
the now famous ''red house" where tho dis
tinguished stat sman breathed his last.
Naturally enough there has been a dispo-
sition, both on the part OF the family and
the attending physicians, to either conceal
or distort in some way, tbs real coldition in
the Blaine snsion; bat from time to time,
accurate information as to Blaine's condi.
ton has been obtained and faithfully re-
ported. 1t is quite safetosay that there are few
il, indeed, any, journalistic experiences
which could furnish a more thorough ex-
ample Of watching and waiting than has the
case of Mr.. Blaine.
Every element Of discomfort-rain, snow,
sic and frost-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.. johnson was summoned TO tho bed
side of Mr.. Blaine early in the morning, but
his prese nee was not known TO those outside
until lilo, when, in company with DR..
Hyatt, he left the house. Both physicians
were unusually pale, and when accosted by
the reporter for the latest news the signih-
cant look in their faces answered tie ques-
ton.
''He is dead" said DIR. johnson, land he
passed away peacefully"
The doctors did not give the exact time
of death, but it was observed that about
045 the windows in the room Of the sick
chamber were slightly raised
The news OF Mr.. Baine's death spread like
NiIdfre. Crowds gathered on the corner
and visitors focked to the house DR.. Hamln
who was pa sing the house when the an
nouncement Of death was made at once en-
tered and re NAMED with the family for
some time. Word was sent to the President
Immediately after the death.
At 1l.25 President Harrison accompanied
by Private Secretary Halford and Lieut..
Parker, walked over to the Blaine mansion.
The President showed marked signs Of grief.
Postmaster General WGnamsker followed
the footsteps of the President.