The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-02-08
G. W. CH|LDS DEAD
The Known Philanthropist and
Editor Passes Away.
LIFE ONE OF USEFULNESS


PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3-George w.
Childs died at a. m.
After midnight the patient sank rap
idly, and it soon became certain that
the end was very near. At the bedeide
where the beloved journalist and phi
lanthropist passed away were George
G. Thomas and James w. Paul of the
firm of Drexel g. Co., Mr.. and Mrs.
John Drexel, Miss Peterson, niece of
Mrs. Childs, Miss Stanley, companion
of Mrs. Childs, and Colonel Edward D.
Morrell.
Mr.. Childs' illness began with faint
ing spell, which seized him while in the
office in the Ledger building, January
10. He became unconscious and Dr.
Dacosta was hastily summoned. Re-
storatives were applied, with the re-
suit that in an hour the patient was
able to walk with assistance to his car
riage. He was conveyed home, and
Mrs. Childs, who was at their country
place at Wooton, was summoned. DR..
Dacosta called in Drs. Leidy and Nor
ris. On the following Sunday night the
physicians reluctantly admitted that
paralysis of the lower limbs haG accom-
panied the attack.
There is but little reason to doubt
that the immediate cause of the attack
was overwork and anxiety attendant
upon his efforts 10 see that the memory
of his lifelong friend, the late A. j.
Drexel, was properly henored. The
day upon which came the attack was
spent by Mr.. Childs in preparing for
the Drexel memorial services held in
the Drexel institute Saturday, January
90, two days after the fatal Thursday.
His enforced absence from the cere-
mony worried him profoundly. and to
this fact was largely due the relapse
which occurred on the night of Jan
uary 21.
Mr.. Childs was probably as widely
known as any man in the United States,
and there can be no doubt that he was
far the best known resident of Phila-
delphia. His popularity In this city was
wonderful. He was familiar figure
on Chestnut street from the fact that
when in the city he always walked to
and from the Ledger Office, and so regu-
lar was he in his habits that If he did
not appear on the street at about the
regular time, people began to inquire
whether he was Ill. To all appearances
Mr.. Childs was robust man, yet his
constitution was very delicate. He was
of highly nervous temperament, and
with the attack which proved the be.
f ginning of his last illness came almost
complete nervous prostration.
Those who knew MIN best, believed
he was never a thoroughly happy OF
4 contented man since the death of hi.
+ boon companion and business partner
;. Anthony j. Drexel. They were almost
q inseparable in their companionship
and it was sad blow to have so near {
friend carried off so suddenly. George
w. Childs Drexel, the youngest son O.
the deceased banker, was several year,
IL ago determined upon as the one whit
should succeed his father in his interes
in the Ledger. The senior Drexe
: owned a half interest in the paper, ant
;. this interest became the property of tk'
u son upon his fathers death. Youp,
= Drexel had been carefully educated
and trained with this end in view
= Shortly after his fathers death hi
- name was placed at the head of tn
= editorial columns of the Ledger as pub
: Usher along with Childs' as "editor AM
y proprietor.
!, Childs had three homes which.he an
- his family occupied at different season
~ of the year. His town house on Wa
nut street is a white marble structure
~ and is one of the most imposing ediflce
- on that street of aristocratic home:
His country home at Wooton is SUI
- rounded by sixty acres of beautifl
grounds. The lawn is said to be tn
no most beautiful in this country. Her
~ the hospitality which Childs ever d
ae lighted in had one of its principal tn
~ aters. The roll of visitors include
- many distinguished strangers. In a
dition to his town and country hous,
~ Childs had handsome cottage at Lor
% Branch, adjoining that of the late A.
- Drexel