New-York tribune., 1901-06-24
MIR. HAYS BRIEF CAREER.
HIS EFFICIENCY AT PRETORIA-WAS TO
BE PRESIDENTS SECRETARY.
InY rrLrfRArm TO THE TnIRrxE.I ]

TBY TEIE iRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. June 23-Oficial Washington has
manifested the deepest sympathy to-day for the
terrible affection that has visited the Secretary
of State in the loss of his distinguished young
son. who, barely twenty-five years old. had in
the last years the praise of his own country
and of British and Boer alike by his remarkable
display of mature Judgment and superior diplo-
matte tact in the trying r~-ition he occupied at
Pretoria. His modesty. vigorous :lanliness and
accomplishments had made him -xceedingly
popular in Washington during the very brief
period he had resided the capital since he left
college and returned from South Africa. and tie
suddenness of the inexplicable calamity that be-
fell him last night has profoundly grieved his
fathers numerous friend.
No promising career is recalled than
that upon which Del" Hay. he was called
by his family and his friends. had successfully
embarked little year ago. He had
previously had some experience in government
service for several months in 1898 as private
secretary to the Ambassador in London. but
upon his notable achievements as the inter-
mediary between Briton and Boer in the Trans
vaaI his fame will chiefly stand.
PROMINENT IN COLLEGE LIFE.
He left Washington May 30 with his
mother and two sisters for their summer home
ago to go to New-Haven 10 attend the trienniaI
reunion of the class of 9S at Yale. OF which
he was a prominent member during his college
days. He leader in the social and secret
society life of the campus. ranked we'll in his
studies. and in athletics was particularly In
terested in rowing and football. for which his
six feet Of height and splendid physique
especially fitted him.
Adebert Hay was born IN Cleveland in 1876.
After his boyhood school work completed
he went 10 St Paurs. at Concord. y. H. where
he prepared for Yale. He entered freshman
at New Haven rooming with r. r. Hit. Of
Congressman Hit in Vanderbilt Hail. At Yale
he was known as hard student, quiet. reserved.
vet approachable. devoid Of small vices.
ever and always of frank. honest character. At
the conclusion Of his college course he went to
London returning TO Washington when his
father was called to the Cabinet and in Decem-
ber. 1899 he appointed United States Con-
sui to Pretoria. succeeding Macrum, of Ohio. at
that post when II regarded as the most i'm
portant consular office maintained by the United
States He returned from Pretoria last Novem-
ber staying for while at London on his home
ward journey.
PRAISED BY BRITON AND BOER.
The expenses of livelihood in Pretoria were
far in excess Of the salary of the consulate. so
that he who took the place served his country
at a personal loss. The Beers received him
with suspicion knowing Of his former residence
in England when his father was Ambassador.
but this he soon dispelled. and in the end the
Beers learned to trust him. and showed their
gratitude for the many kindly offices Mr. Hay
performed for their sick and wounded comrades
on the other side Of the lines.
On the other hand the British prisoners who
filed the Boer places of detention in the early
stages OF the war owed many necessities and
many little luxuries to the American Consul.
Fever was epidemic in Pretoria. too. and the
work of the consulate was eXhausting. but not
until the of war had passed over the place
and the city was again safe and quiet did Mr..
Hay feel that he could leave his post. Long
before he actually started away from Pretoria
he had received permission from the State De-
partmert TO return 10 the United States on leave
of absence.
Soon after reaching Washington he rendered
his resignation as consul at Pretoria. II had
been for him expensive employment In
year he had spent his fathers salary and his
own OF course much of this disbursement
In the way of private charity, the calls of which
in the siege and afterward We're simply ire
sistible. Since his resignation Mr. Hay had en-
tered into no regular employment. though he
had devoted himself In part to assisting In the
conduct OF his fathers personal business His
place at Pretoria has not been filled.
PROMISING CAREER CUT SHORT.
However. by the irony of fate. there had just
come to him one of those golden opportunities
that he had seized upon gratefully. and
about to apply himself to it. when his untouard
end came II had been the proudest recollection
of John Hays life that he had served Abraham
Lincoln as his assistant private secretary. So
it was to be the lot of Adelbert Hay TO serve
William Mckinley in like capacity To him
had been offered and he had accepted the post
of assistant secretary to the President, a place
now held by Major Pruden. The latter after
many years service at the White House. has
been made a paymaster in the United States
army He under orders to report TO the
Paymaster-General for service July l next
when Mr.. Hay was TO have succeeded him.