Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-05

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-. =. / GEORGE W. cHrLpa j .ad & >;
1t was scarcely more than two weeks
ago. ON Thursday, Jan. Is, that the sad
end was startlingly foreshadowed Pri-
vate Secretary Steele heard a noise as of a
heavy body falling in the publishers pri-
vate Office. Instantly rushing into the
room, he found Mr.. Childs stretched upon
the floor in an utterly helpless condition.
Summoning Night Editor Sheppard, the
two together quietly lifted the sick man
to a couch and stimulants were admin
istered, which revived the sufferer some
what. 1t was then found that Mr.. Childs
had been attacked by virtigo. He had
been sitting in his chair at his desk read
ing, when the stroke fell, and as he
lurched forward and tell to the floor, he
Still Held Letter In His Clasp.
Even before d. j. NJ. Da Costa could
arrive it was discovered that Mr.. Childs'
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. In few days his
condition grew alarmingly worse, and he
soon relapsed into his former semi con-
seriousness. At rare intervals he seemed
to understand what was going on around
him and the anxious questions addressed
to him; but only once or twice during all
his long illness was he able.to utter words
that the physicians could interpret
The noted specialists in nervous dis
vases, Drs Weir Mitchell and Charles X.
Mills, were called, in the hope that they
might be able to arouse the dormant
nerves ON the right side. Only last Wed
nesday he gave a hopeful sign of recov-
cry. The physicians had set his food ut
his bedside, when all at once Mr.. Cnilds
threw forth his arm and struck the dishes.
They were knocked helter-skeiter upon
the floor He evidently attempted to
reach them, his muscles failing after the
brief effort to raise his paralyzed arm. t+
At no time. however, has there been
confidence in his recovery. Mr.. Childs
was changed man from the day 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 saw that this
Loss Was More Than He Could Bear.
Present at the bedside Mt the time of his
death, in addition to the physicians and
Mrs Childs, were Colonel +. Dew. Nor
rell and James w. Paul, Jr., son-in-law
of the late A. J. Drexel, George w. Childs
Drexel and w. z. Steel, Mr. Childs'
private secretary.
One of the physicians in attendance
upon Mr.. Childs made the following state
ments this morning to representative of
the press: "Mr Childs suffered no pain
and his end was peaceful. He had been
unconscious for the past three days, eX-
cept at intervals. The change for the
worse became manifest about $3.50 Friday
evening. His pulse failed and he grew
rapidly worse. 1t was then apparent that
the end was near. Mr.. Childs' lower
limbs were not paralyzed as has been
stated The stroke only affected his right
side. He had lost the use of both his right
arm and leg. Mr.. Childs, during his last
hours,
Lay Like Child Asleep.
and when he grew so much worse about
midnight, every attempt was made to
arouse him, but without avail. He scarcely
spoke word from the time he was
stricken, over two weeks ago, until his
death.o
1t cannot be told whether Mr.. Childs'
fortune amounts to 81 100000 or $40, 000-
900. While his income was very large,
his expenditures also were great, and
practically in support of educational and
charitable institutions and in direct char
ities The profit from the publication of
The Ledger is said to have averaged as
high as $1,000 day. A large interest in
The Public Ledger will be absorbed by
the A. J. Drexel estate, and it is probable
that both his wishes and those of his
partner in The ownership of the paper, the
late A. J Drexel. will be carried out by
George W. Childs Drexel who became
publisher in September last
1t will probably be found that Mr..
Childs has left many specific requests in
his will and provided that the large num-
Der of people dependent on his bounty,
both in and out Of business, shall be con-
tinued in their good fortune.
At the Ledger building knot of black
ribbon is attached to the knob CT each
door. To each knot was pinned one Oh
Mr.. Childs' engraved visiting cards.
Written under his name is the announce
ment: Died Feb 8, 1894. ]"
George William Childs was born in
Baltimore in 1929 When he was Il
years of age he spent a summer
vacation as errand boy in book store at
salary of So week and enjoyed it. Soon
after he removed to Philadelphia and en-
tered store, doubtless as mixture-ot
clerk and errand boy.
When he became of age he went
ht., business with Mr. Peterson under
the firm name of r. 4. Peterson Sc Co.
The only interval in his business career
was Is months in the United States navy
when he was Is.
One of the first successful books pub.