The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-17
PRESIDENT FAURE
OF FRANCE DEAD
Death Came Suddenly After
Three Hours Illness.
ATTACK OF HEART FAILURE
Presided Over the Council in
the Morning.
FELT ILL AT 6 O'CLOCK
And Called NJ. Legal, Telling Him
He Was Weak.
DIED WITH THE HARNESS ON
Body Now Lies in Study Where He
Signed So Many DEGREES and
Laws With Nun on
Either Side.
And Called NJ. Legal, Telling Him
He Was Weak.
DIED WITH THE HARNESS OF

Paris February 16.-M. Felix Faure,
president of the Republic of France, died
at 10 o'clock tonight after an illness of
three hours.
1t had been known for some time that his
heart was weak, but the first intimation
that he was sick was given out at 6:30 this
evening, when a message was dispatched
to the premier, NJ. Dupuy, announcing that
the president was i'll. M. Dupuy immed-
lately repaired to the Elysse.
All medical efforts proved futile and the
president died on the stroke of 10.
The flag over the Elysee was immediate
ly lowered to half mast and the news was
dispatched to all the officers and the MEM
bers of the cabinet. General Zurlinden,
military governor of Paris; the grand
chancellor of the Legion of Honor, the
prefect of the Seine; the prefect of the
police of Paris, and the presidents of the
senate and chamber of deputies, promptly
arrived at the Elysse.
The report spread rapidly through the
city, and the large crowds soon assembled
In the vicinity of the palace.
About O'Clock M. Faure, who was then
in his study, went to the door of the room
of M. Legal, his private secretary, which
is contiguous to the study and said:
'I don't feel WELL Come to me-
M. Legal imediately went to the presi-
dents aid, led him to a sofa and called
General Bailloud general secretary of the
presidents household; M. Blonde, under
private secretary, and DR.. Humbert, who
happened to be at the Elysse. attending a
relative.
The presidents condition did not appear
dangerous, but DR.. Humbert, on perceiv-
ing that he was rapidly getting worse, tele-
phoned for DR.. Lanne-Iongue and Dr.
Cheurtet, who arrived with M. Dupuy and
were Joined later by DR.. Bergerey.
Surrounded by Family
Though M. Faure still retained conscious
ness, the doctors soon recognized that the
case was hopeless, but 1t was not until
nearly o'clock that the members of the
family were informed of the real state of
affairs. They then came to the sofa where
the president lay. Soon afterwards he be-
gan to lose consciousness, and, despite all
efforts, expired at 10 o'clock in the presence
of the family and M. Dupuy.
M. Dupuy communicated the sad intelli-
gence to M. Loubet, president of the sem
ate, the president of the chamber of depu-
ties, the members of the cabinet and other
dressed the following dispatch to all pro-
fects and subprefects in France:
IT have the sad task to announce to you
the death of the president, which occurred
at 10 o'clock this evenink, as the result of
an apoplectic stroke. Kindly take measures
to inform the population Immediately of
the mourning which has fallen upon the
republic. The government counts upon
your active vigilance at this painful juno
ture"
1t was not until II o'clock that the news
began to become generally known to the
general public in Paris. From that time
began a continuous arrival of policemen.
Strict orders, however, were issued and
only members of the cabinet were admitted
to the Elysees.
The president of the council and the min
lister of the interior, M Dupuy, has request
ed all projects and subprefects not to leave
their posts and directed all those who are
absent to return Immediately.
Worked Until the Last
Z Nothing could have given the idea of ap-
preaching DEATH Up till the very last NJ
Faure indulged in his customary habits of
work and even in his equestrian rides. He
ate well and slept regularly. Nevertheless,
several times recently he has been heard to
excaim:
''How weak my legs are!" and "I can
scarcely stand,'' or to make some such re-
mark.
He left his study about the usual hour, at
z o'clock, last evening wednesday,, re-
marking that he would ride on horseback
on the following morning CThursday). He
then retired to his private apartments,
dined with his family, went to bed at 10
o'clock got up this morning at and in
formed his valet that he would not ride.
M. Legal secretary, on learning this,
hurried to the president, whom he found in
his dressing room, about 6:45 a. m. M.
Faure said:
"I don't feel ILL., but prefer to abstain
from fatiguing exercises today"
Otherwise the president worked as usual
and received the official documents and
dispatches with the newspapers as was his
custom in order to prepare himself to
preside at the council, which assembled at
a. m. NJ Faure presided with his usual
ability, and upon Their taking leave. the
ministers could not have realized that they
were pressing his hand for the last time.
He took his luncheon as usual at noon. re-
turned to his study at 2. and spent the af-
ternoon seated in favorite armchair by