The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-06
End Came Suddenly, for Two Hours
Previously the Physicians Had
Reported No Change.
KING EDWARD WAS AT C0WES
RECEIVED NEWS OF HIS SISTERS
DEATH WHILE on HIS YACHT.
Flags Half-Nasted i'm Germany and
England - Premature Announce
ment at Homburg and London.

CRONBERG, Aug 5.-The Dowager En-
press Frederick, mother of the Emperor OF
Germany, Oldest daughter of the late Queen
of England and sister of King Edward.
died this evening at els o'clock.
Emperor William arrived at Homburg
at 3:15 this morning and drove to the HON.
burg castle. Thence, accompanied by the
Empress and Crown Prince Frederick Will
liam, he proceeded to Friedrichshof, which
he reached at $40 o'clock.
The death of the Dowager Empress was
somewhat sudden. At o'clock her physi-
clans reported no change in her condition.
Emperor William and her Majestys other
children and the Empress Frederick Au-
gusta were in the sickroom- most of the
day. They were all around the bedside
as the Empress Dowager passed away
quietly. Professors Renvers and Spiel
hagen were also in her room. The flag on
the castle was Immediately half-masted.
At s o'clock this evening Emperor Will
liam conducted the members of the Dow
ager Empresss household into the death
chamber. and led them. one by one. past
the bedside, to take the last farwell of
their mistress
Closely following the announcement Of
the death from the castle the church bells
were tolled and the flags half-masted Wis
itors TO the castle began inscribing their
names in book placed for the purpose in
the hall. 1t is said the cause OF death was
dropsy accompanying cancer. The remark
able vitality of the Dowager Empress as
tonished her PHYSICIANS. She retained con-
sciousness TO the end. The castle grounds
are now surrounded by soldiers and pa
trolled by hussars and mounted police
PURCHASED CREPE. TOO SOON.
a premature statement that the Dowager
Empress was dead was given out officially
at Homburg Castle shortly after noon.
Copies posted in half the shop win
dows of the town. The blinds were down
in the windows of many residences and all
flags were half-mast At little later the
principal street of Homburg was filed
with shoppers buying black. Then came
word that the news was false. There seems
little doubt that the message came from
Friedrichshof, although who sent IL no
one seems 10 know. Count Marshal Haupt,
who gave out the inaccurate announcement.
has been summoned TO Cronburg- me
false news was teegraphed widely and
many German cities displayed signs of
mourning When the official contradiction
was sent this was scarcely believed. Some
of the mourning emblems in Cronburg
were allowed to remain. These were greatly
multiplied when the flag on Frledrichshof
fluttered down TO half-mast. One by one
the little shops brought out flag poles bear
above and below. Even the cottages were
decked with a scrap of black.
Soon after nightfall Emperor William, ac-
companied by the Empress and the crown
prince. drove back to Homburg. Whether
the body will lie in state has not yet been
determined. The details for its removal 10
be Inferred by the side of the remains of
Emperor Frederick win be discussed in
Homburg tomorrow.
The Dowager Empress knew her days
were few. She had said farewell TO most
of her servants. IL is understood she has
arranged for the future of nearly every one
Of them. She had expressed desire that
not much should be known by the public
concerning her disease lest some might be
saddened by the knowledge of her suffer-
ings.
There was much reluctance in summoning
King Edward, as 1T was not desired that
he should have a long wait.
Tonight the children OF the deceased
placed floral tributes around the body. The
face bears a singularly peaceful expression,
almost childlike, having shrunken 10 its
normal size.
In the course of the evening several te!e-
grams of coincidence arrived from Euro
pean sovereigns addressed to Emperor VIII
liam.