The Indianapolis journal., 1894-02-04
MIR. CHILDS'S DEATH
Last Hours of the Philadelphia
Editor and PhilanthrOpiSt.
Statement of an Attending Physician
Gossip About the Estate-Tributes
from Rivals in Business.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. S.-There were
many expressions of sorrow in the city
this morning when the death of George w.
Childs. editor and proprietor of the Pub
lie Ledger, became known 1t was known
last night that his condition was serious.
but few persons. except the physicians, ex-
pecred so speedy a demise At 10 o'clock
last night his desperation became embar-
rassed and the physicians at the bedside
saw that the end was close at hand At
midnight the patients pulse was tagging
and he sank gradually but steadily until
struggle for life. The end of the great
publisher and world-famous philanthropist
came with the same tranquility VIII. which
his remarkable career has been marked.
1t was scarcely more than two weeks ago
on Thursday, Jan 1S that the sad end was
startlingly foreshadowed. Private Secretary
Steel heard a noise as of a heavy body
falling in the publishers private office. In
stantly rushing into the room, he found
8ir. Childs stretched on the floor in a help
less condition. Summoning night editor
Shepperd. the two together quickly lifted
the sick man TO a couch and stimulants
were administered which revived the suf-
ferer somewhat. 1t was then found that he
had been attacked by vertigo. He had
been sitting in his chair at his desk read
ing when the stroke came, and as he
lurched forward and fell 10 the floor he still
held letter in his clasp. Even before Dr.
j. NJ. DaCosta could arrive in answer to
the hasty summons, it was discovered that
Mr.. Chids's right arm was hanging limp
at his side They perceived also something
far more serious-that his brain had been
affected. They finally arrived at the belief
that a blood vessel had burst. but in a few
days his condition grew alarmingly worse
and he soon relapSed into his former semi
consciousness. In his pitiful plight he lay
seemed to understand what was going on
around him and the anxious questions ad-
dressed to him; but only once or twice dur
Ing all his long illness was he able TO utter
words that the physicians at his bedside
listen carefully as they might, could inter
Dret.
Promptly on the very first day of the
EDITORS illness the noted specialists in
nervous diseases, Drs. S. Weir Mitchell and
that they might be able to rouse the dor
mant nerves on the right side On last
Wednesday he gave a hopeful sign of re-
the bedside, when all at once Mr. Childs
threw forth his arm and struck the dishes.
floor. He had evidently attempted to
reach them, his muscles failing after the
brief effort to raise his paralyzed arm.
the attending physicians thought they saw
gleam of hope, the bulletins issued By
them every day did not carry much Ell
enlargement.
THE CHANGE CAME UNEXPECTEDLY.
The change for the worse came unex-
pectedly. Those in a position TO know said
as late as yesterday afternoon that Mr..
Childs. while certain TO die, would live four
or five days. Present at the bedside at the
time OF his death, in addition to the physi-
clans, were Mrs. Childs, Col. Z. Dev Nor
rell and James w. Paul, jr., son-in-Iaw of
the late A. J. Drexel, George w. Childs
Drexel and w. p. Steel. Mr. Childs's pri-
vate secretary.
One OF the physicians in attendance on
AIr- Childs made the following statement
this morning: MIR. Childs suffered no
pain and his end was peaceful. He had
been unconscious for the past three days.
except at intervals. The change for the
worse became manifest about $3.50 last
evening. His pulse faitered and he grew
the end was near, and that mis- death WIS
only question of a few hours. Mr.. Childs' )
lower limbs were not paralyZed. as staten.
The stroke only affected his right side he
having lost the use of both his right arm
and leg. Mr. Childs during his last hour;
lay like a. child asleep, and when ne grew
SO much worse about midnight every at
tempt was made TO rouse him, but without
avail Death came at 3:O1 o'clock this
morning"
Mr.. Childs was a changed man from the
Gay OF the sudden death OF his lifelong
friend and bosom companion, Anthony j.
DreXel in June of last year. Those who
were close to him and capable OF noting
Ms everyday lite saw that the blow tel
heavily and that there was a loss of buoy
ancy-a gradual lessening of the old spirit
and vim. The loss of his friend was more
than he could bear. Close friends feared
the worst and looked sadly upOn the on
coming disaster. About two years ago Mr.
ChildS met with an accident while walking
on Chestnut street He slipped on the ice
and badly sprained his ankle. and it was
feared his injuries must prove fatal. He
entirely recovered from the effects of his
fall, however. and, beyond few occasional
twitches of rheumatism in his legs. had not
complained of any material Illness up to
the time Of the unexpected attack which
caused his death.
The Childs residence is located in the
aristocratic quarter OF West Walnut street
and the presence of Grape on the door
this morning apDrised the early paSsers-by
OF the fact that the great editor and phi
lanthroplst had passed away. With the ex-
ceptiOn OF the gathering OF a group of men
10 discuss the sad event there was moth
ing observable outside the house TO indf-
cate that anything unusual had happened
At the Ledger building II Sixth and Ches-
nut streets. knot of black ribbon was
attached to the knob of each door. On
the knob was pinned one of Mr.. Childs's
visiting cards Wr1tten under his narne va $
Childs's private secretary. by direction of
Mrs. Childs telegraphed 10 her husbands s
hundreds OF friends IN this country and
abroad the news of his death. AS early as
s O'Clock kilograms of coincidence began to
pour into the Ledger office. These. as fast
as received, were sent 10 Mrs. Childs
The President and Secretary of State to-
day sent telesraphic messages Of coincidence
To the willow Of George w. Childs. EX-
Sneaker Reed to-day telegraphed a message
OF condolences TO the family OF Mr.. Chiids
MANY other Congressman who knew and
admired Mr.. Chllds sent kilograms of con-
dOlence-