The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-17

l. IL l.
dent of the Republic of France, died at
10 o'clock of apoplexy after an illness of
three hours.
1t had been known for some time that
his heart was weak, but the first intima-
ton that he was sick was given at half
past six this afternoon when a message
was dispatched to the Premier, NJ. Du-
puy. announcing that the President was
i'll. NJ. Dupuy Immediately repaired to
the Elysee. All medical efforts proved
futile and the President died on the
stroke of 10. The flag over the Elysee
was Immediately lowered to half mast,
and the news was despatched to all the
officials and members of the Cabinet
The report spread rapidly through the
city and large crowds soon assembled
in the vicinity of the Palace.
About six o'clock Nj. Faure, who was
then in his study, went to the door of
the room of NJ. Legal, his private secre-
tary, which is contiguous to the study
and said:
Il do not feel WELL Come to me-
NJ. Legal Immediately went to the
Presidents aid, led him to a sofa, and
called General Bailloud, General Secre-
tary of the Presidents household; Nj.
Blondel, under private secretary. and
DIR. Humbert, who happened to be at
the Elysee attending a relative.
The Presidents condition did not ap-
pear dangerous, but DIR. Humbert, on
perceiying that he was rapidly getting
worse, telephoned for DR.. Lanne-Longue
and DIR. Cheurlet, who arrived with Nj.
Dupuy and We're joined later by DR..
Bergery The doctors soon recognized
that the case was hopeless, and at
O'Clock the members of the family were
informed of the real state of affalrs.
They then came to the sofa where the
President lay. Soon after he began TO
lose consciousness and despite all efforts,
expired at ten o'clock in the presence of
the family and NJ. Dupuy. NJ. Dupuy
communicated the sad intelligence to NJ.
Loubet, President of the Senate; NJ.
Paul Descnanel, President of the Cham
Der of Deputies; the members of the
Cabinet and other high functionaries,
after which he addressed the following
despatch to all projects and sub-prefects
in France:
Il have the sad task to announce to
You the death of the President, which
occurred at ten o'clock this evening as
the result of an apopletic stroke. Kindly
take the necessary measures to inform
the population Immediately of the mourn
ing that has fallen upon the Republic.
The government counts upon your active
vigilance at this painful juncture.
1t was not until II O'Clock that the
news began to become known to the
general public in Paris. From that
time began continuous arrival OF
public men. Strict orders, however,
were issued and only members of the
Cabinet were admitted to the Palace.
The President of the Council and
Minister of the Interior. NJ. Dupuy has
requested all projects and sub-prefects
not to leave their posts, and directed all
those who are absent to return imme
diately.
Nothing could have given the idea of
approaching death. Up till the very last
NJ. Faure INDUCED in his customary
habits of work and even in his eqnes-
trian rides. He ate well and slept regu-
larly. Nevertheless several times re-
Gently he had been heard to exclaim:
How weak my legs are, and Il can
scarcely stand or TO make some such
remark.
He left his study about the usual hour
at o'clock last evening "wednesday
remarking that he would ride on horse
back from Z to 7:30 on the following
morning Thursday. He then retired to
his private apartment, dined with his
family, went to bed at 10 O'Clock. got
up this morning at 6 and informed his
valet that he would not ride.
NJ. lie Gall. his secretary, on learning
of this. hurried to the President, whom
he found in his dressing room about 6:4o
IA. IN. NJ. Faure said: Il do not feel Ill
but | prefer TO abstain from fatlgulng
exercises to-day" Otherwise the PresI-
dent worked as usual and received the
official documents and dispatches as
was his custom, in order to prepare him
self to preside at the council which as
sembled at 8 a. m.
NJ Faure presided with his usual abili-
ty, and on their taking leave the Minis
tiers could not have imagined that they
were pressing his hand for the last time.
He took his luncheon as usual at noon,
returned to his study at =. and spent
the afternoon seated III fayorlte arm
chair by the fire. conversing with Nj.
lie Gal-Who, about ) O'Clock was accord
I'd permissfau TO depart. At o'clock
NJ. lie Gall retNped and Immediately re-
ported himself toNthe President, who
was then signing decxees presented by
General Bailloud, according to his daily
custom. The work of signing was then
about over and soon ended. General
Railloud had gone but few minutes
when the President called NJ. lie Gall.
saying: Come quickly; ] feel ILL.,"
When Nj. Legal reached him the
President was rubbing his forehead and
saying: Il do not feel WELL"
NJ. lie Gall asked where he felt pain.
and the President replied: Il feel a
general weakness. / am fainting."