Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-30
SECRETARY GRESHAM DEAD
Tho End Came at an Early
Hour Tuesday Morning.
AFTER A DAY OF SUFFERING
Devotedly Attended to the
Last BY His Wife.
Death Ends the Career of Walter O.
Gresham. Secretary Of Staten President
Cleveiand's Cabinut-A Notable Public
Chnraoter--Twice y Cabinet oricor.

WAsHiNarow, ID. c.. May 2S.--Seeretary
Gresham died at LIZ clock this morning |
at his rooms in the Arlington Hotel. At |
l2.l5a n. M. his death was considered only |
aquestion of minutes. His pulse was very |
rapid, and so feeble that IL could hardly |
be discerned. Nitro glycerne and strych. |
nine had boon constantly administered to |
stimulate the heart. His wife, daughter
and son.in.law were at his bedside At IL |
o'clock he began to fail rapidly and his
vitality to ebb. At II o clock he had ceased
talking, and the doctors had retired to the
ante-room. Death was momentarily ex-
pccted.
Al ll.3o o'clock Secretary Herbert came
10 the hotel He had arrived in Wash
ington about half-past eight o'clock, and
had gone TO II dinner party. He first
learned of Secretary Gresham's serious i'll
ness, and fastened at once TO join the
little party of watchers, who sat in the
ante.room scanning the clock as it licked
away the minutes Of Secretary GreSham's
life AT this time the three doctors, des.
pairing of all further effort, had retired
from the chamber, and sat in the next
room ready 10 render such service as they
might in smoothing the way to the end
when summoned.
by midnight the signs of dissolution
were crowding thick and fast. The mem
bers Of the secretary's family who had
been excluded earlier in the evening from
fear that their presence might arouse the
apprehension of the dying man, had been
admitted, for 1t Was plain that he clearly
realized his condition, and desired to spend
his last moments with his loved ones. He
had been conscious, aud even Converscd
calmly with those about him, but as the
midnight hoar drew near, the waning
forces Of life were no longer equal to the
effect, and be sank into silence.
Although almost plllselcss, and without
sign of life otherwise, his eyes still showed
the CLEAN of intelligence and appreciation
OF what was going on about him. and the
watchers in silent agony Of spirit for the
dread small hours of the night, when the
tide goes out and the life of stricken
mortals with it.
Mrs. Gresham's devotion 10 her husband
during his illness has been Of the most
tender. patient and faithful characte-.
Although physically slight, she displayed,
so said one who has been in the sick
chamber several times u day throughout
the Secretary's Illness, remarkable endur'
ance and nerve. For four weeks she has
hardly had her clothes of. Night and
day she was ut the bedside, snatching an
hour or TWO of sleep when she could on a
lounge in his room. She seemed deter
mined to fight Off death.
IF he dies, she said many times, IL
lose ALL" But she did not complain.
With patience and devotion she ministered
TO his every want, giving everything her
personal attention and trying to cheer and
brighten him when he was peeyish and
fretful. The utmost persuasion was re-
Quired to induce her even to lie down.
Yesterday she grew 30 faint from sheer
exhaustion thdt she Feeled and would
have fallen had not one of the nurses
caught her in her arms.
Mr. Gresham's illness began May LIST
when lie was attacked with acute pleurisy.
The effusion filled the pleural cavity, but
his condition yielded to treatment until
last Saturday, when he suffered relapse
accompanied by acute pneumonia, Hi:
condition since that time has been ex
tremely critical. His heart action be
came enfeebled. requiring the continue
administration Of the most powerful hear
stimulants. One or the other of his physi
cians, Drs. John and Prentiss, or both
were constantly with him. His pulst
reached l60 and was so feeble that it coult
barely be counted. But for the stimulant.
he would have died. Nitro glycerine ant
strychnine were given continuously hypo
dermically, together with digitalis anC
whisky. He was able to take no nourlsh
ment save III liquid form-principall.
milk punches-and the whole effort OF thu
physicians was directed toward sustaining
and strengthening him. The right pleu
ratio cavity was filled with the etfuset
fluid, and the lung so compressed as Il
make breathing impossible.
The news that Secretary Gresham wa
dying spread like wildtire through the city
ana public officials and friends of the Sec
rotary called at the hotel by the score an
inquired an xiously for information. Presl
dent Cleveland, who was at Woodley, wa
telephoned to and kept constantly ID
formed as to the Secretary's condition. II
has been confined to his room, it is sale
for two days by bilious attack. He sen
in word that if it was possible for him I
see the Secretary, or be of any assistance
he would be glad to come in, but the ply
sicians stated that it would be impossihl
for the Secretary to see any one, and
therefore decided to remain at WOodley.
WALTER Q. GRESHAM
was born in Harrison county, Ind,
1882, received his education in his natiN
State, and after his graduation at Il
Indiana State University, in Bloomington
he studied law and commenced practice
Corydon, the county seat of Harrise
county, was elected to the State Legislatu
shortly before the war, and in 1861 W
chairman of State committee ON mil
tary affairs. Gov. Morton in September
that year gave him commission
Northumberland OF the Thirty.eighl
Indiana Volunteers. In March. 1867,
was promoted colonel of the Fifty-thi
Indiana. and In August, 1868, to be brig
der-general OF volunteers. lie participate
in the siege of Corinth, Vicksburg al
jackson, Miss. being wounded in u
action before Atlanta in July, 1864, al
was mustered out OF service in April, lSt
entered into law partnership with Jud
Butler of New Albany, Ind, and was a
pointed in 1869 by President Grant distri
Judge of Indiana, which position he he
until chosen Postmaster-general by Pre-
dent Arthur on April 4th, 1883. lie
Gresham's military career was credltat
and honorable. He had the confidence
high degree OF Gen. Grant and Ge
sherman, under whom he served, and "
complinlt nted in reports and dispatches
As a Judge of the United States distr
court, his reputation was also of I
highest. The judicial position which
held kept him out of active politics up
the time when he was chosen member
President Arthur's cabinet
Subsequently MIR. Gresham was proT
nent in national politics. lie was 81
gested for the Republican nomination
President in 1888. but tho Harrison L
chine carried the Indiana delegation
became more and more independent
politics. On March 4th, 1888, PRESIDE
Cleveland appointed him Secretary
State.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires
WAsHIHGToS, May 29.-Before o'cl'
this morning the floral tributes 10 the
tinguished dead began arriving at the
Pomeroy House, overlooking Lafay'
square, now All annex Of the Airing
Hotel. in which the remains of the SEE
tary of State lay. Only few pieces, Ia
ever, were received there. Most of tn
were sent to the White House where
service was to take place, Those tai
into the drawing room were beaut
wreath of lilies of the valley and r.
from the Department of State, mas