Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-05-30
DEATH OF MR.. GRESHAM.
SECRETARY OF STATE PASSED AWAY
SUDDENLY ON TUESDAY,.

One of the Most Important Positions in
President CIeveland's Cabinet Made
Vacant by the Death-His Illness Was
Not Considered Dangerous.
Washington, May 2S-Secretary OF
state, Walter O. Gresham, died at 1:15
O'Clock this morning No death could
be more quiet, more calm or more peace
ful. For two hours preceding dissolution
there had been no indication either of a.
pulse or heartbeat lie lay during that
time with his head resting on the arms
Of his daughter, Mrs. Andrews, while
his devoted wife sat by his side, his
hands clasped in hers; his face so turned
that his last conscious gaze should rest
upon her.
Like a Child Sinking into Slumber.
And SO the minutes dragged slowly on
until the end came. He was conscious
to the last. He suffered greatly during
the preceding forty eight hours, after
the pneumonia symptoms were compli-
Gated with his diseases and was only
temporarily relieved by frequent hypo-
dermic injections. But as the end ap-
preached his suffering disappeared, and
he passed away as quietly as little
child sinking to slumber in the arms of
Its mother.
Funeral Arrangements
Arrangements for the funeral will be
made after Otto Gresham, son of the de-
ceased, shall arrive in Washington this
morning from Chicago.
Mrs. Gresham's Great Grief
Mrs. Gresham's long pent up grief
could not be restrained when she real
lied that the secretary was dead. She
leaned over his body, calling him affec
tionately by name, and was with diff
Guilty removed from his side. President
Cleveland was at once notified by te,e-
gram.
Facts Held from tho Public.
The official statement given out by the
secretary's physicians last night, as to
his condition, shows that it was much
more serious since Saturday last than
either they or the others who had ad.
mission to the sick room would acknowl-
etge After the pneumonia symptoms
appeared injections of nitro glycerine
and strychnine were administered freely,
and yesterday afternoon and last
night normal saline injections aggre-
eating several quarts, were given.
Lay in a Stupor.
During the afternoon the secretary
lay in a stupor, which was the founda-
tion for the report that he was ''restng
easily" AS soon as the physicians,
however, realized that the end was ap-
preaching, the heroic measures usual in
such cases, were adopted Notwith-
standing their efforts the patient sank
rapidly. The physicians In attendance
were Messrs. w. w. Johnston and Prem
tiss OF this city, the latter having been
nulI Id IT, H.. al
days Last evening DR.. Van Rensselaer,
was also called in and it was he who
performed the operation Of injecting the
normal saline.
The Sad News Announced.
At 10 o'clock DIR. Prentiss, acting for
himself and his colleague, DR.. Johnston,
prepared a brief statement of the secre-
tary's condition, which closed with the
declaration that his case was practically
hopeless. In conversation with United
Press reporter few minutes later, DIR.
Prentiss said that his patient might live
through the night and possibly until
noon of o-day, but he believed this the
utmost limit of time that he could last.
kilograms To Relatives.
At 8 80 last night telegram was sent
to Judge Otto, of Philadelphia, telling
him to come to the bedside of the secre-
tary, as he IL dying. Judge Otto was a
comrade Of the secretary in the late war.
A telegram was also sent to Secretary
Gresham's son, Otto Gresham, at Chi
cago, informing him that the end was
near, and to hasten to Washington with
out delay.
Crowds in the Hotel Corridora
The Arlington hotel, In the corridors
and at the private entrance, was crowded
with distinguished officials until late last
night, anxiously awaiting the end.
Among those who called were Chief
Justice Fuller, the assistant secretaries
of the department of state, Private Secre
tary Thurber, Assistant Postmaster
General Jones and Maxwell, Comptroller
Eckels and members of the diplomatic
corps and other prominent department
officials. No one, of courae, was admitted
to the Gresham apartments.
Acute Pneumonia Developed.
Dr. w. w. johnson, the physician
who has been in daily attendance on
Secretary Gresham, gave out the follow
ing statement of the case at o'clock last
night: Mr.. Gresham's illness has been
an acute pleurisy with effusion, begin
ming ON May l. From May 13 his con
dition was enirely favorable and his
speedy recovery was confidently ex-
pected. On May 25 symptoms of re-
lapse appeared, due to the development
OF acute pneumonia.
The President Kept Advised.
The president had been exceedingly
anxious about the condition of Secretary
Gresham, and was constantly advised as
to 1t, though confined to his room for
the past two days with a bilious attack.
He sent word that il it was possible for
him to see the secretary or be of any as
sistance to him he would be glad to
come in, but the physicians advised that
it would be impossible for the secretary
to see any one. The president was bet
ter last night and expects to be in the
city to-day.
Left Alone With His Family.
At 1910 p. m. bulletin was issued.
1t said: Secretary Gresham is uncon-
scious and unable to recognize any one
at his bedside. At IL o'clock the ply
...-t. al. 1t. lr. l.