The herald., 1893-01-28
THE BATTLE WITH DEATH,
It Was Hopeless Struggle for BIain
from the beginning.

as Was Hopeless Struggle for Blaine
from the Beginning.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-James GILES
pie Blaine's death, although it removed
from the world character prominent
in everything he undertook, occasioned
little surprise. 1t had been go long dis
counted that the announcement was
wholly anticipated. 1t was foregone
conclusion that the battle with death
would end in defeat. Though the facts
as to his illness had from the first been
atudiously concealed through official
channels. he was sick man when he
returned to Washington for the winter,
and death and its bereavements added
more and more to his ailments. He
grew worse, and continued on his Jour-
ney TO the grave as fast as days could
carry him. Science and skill furnished
him weapons of defence for a compara-
lively long time, but death was victori-
Gus. He was doomed from the start,
and to all intents had been dead man
many days. His mind had been almost
blank for weeks, his conscious moments
having been few and far between; but
his physical frame withstood the ravages
of wasting disease till now.
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE TOMB
Blaine's 63 years VI ere active. All the
trials and tribulations that fall to the
lot of public man were his, and earned
for him the peaceful ending of his career
which closed when llfe's candle made its
last dicker today.
On his deathbed he was surrounded
r almost incessantly for weeks by those
nearest and dearest to him; in fact, only
the family and those very closely asso-
ciated with them had been permitted to
see or even hear from him during the
last days Of his life.
WEARY WATCHING AND WAITING.
Trained journalists, calling into requi-
eition every honest means at their COM
mand, resorting to every possible meana
within the line of legitimate journalism,
kept most watchful eye on every move
ment of the house in which the distin-
guished patient breathed his last. There
was naturally disposition on the part
of the family and physicians to concea
his real condition, but from time to time
accurate information was obtained and
reported. 1t is safe to say few journal
It
could furnish more thorough example
of watching and waiting than this.
THE FINAL SUMMONS.
DR.. Johnston was summoned t.
Blaine's bedside early this morning, bu
the fact of his death was unknown unit
shortly after IL O'Clock, when, in com
pany with DR.. Hyatt, DR.. Johnston lei
the house. Both were unusually pale
and when accosted by reporter for tn
latest news, significant look in thei
faces answered the question.
"He is dead" said DIR. Johnston, IAN
he passed away peacefully"
The patient passed restless nigh
This morning he was languid and weak
but nothing serious was noted unit
shortly before noon, when change te
the worse occurred. Both physician
were hastily summoned and remained
the bedside until death came.
Blaine was conscious until few mi
ments before death, and the end was
peaceful that the experienced eye OF II
physician alone could perceive that th
great statesman had joined the mi
iority.
DR.. Hyatt said his death was due
sheer exhaustion. He was unwilling
mske statement regarding the exa
disease until he received the consent
the family.
DIR. JoHNsToN's STATEMENT.
DR.. Johnston said to reporter:
WAS called to the Blaine residence
$3.50 this morning, and found Blai
very exhausted. He had grown weak
during the early morning; about s:
the nurse observed that his breatni
was more difficult and his pulse mo
feeble. DIR. Hyatt was also sent IL
and arrived at 10 o'clock. After my (
rival Blaine continued to grow weak
very rapidly, his pulse becoming We
feeble. He died at IL o'clock. He W
perfectly conscious till within few n
ments OF death, and able to recogn
all those around him. He died withe
suffering"
In anawer to the question: II
Blaine die of Bright's disease 2"
physician said "While there had bs
during the last several months eviden
The family medicine Of the woIld-TUI