The age-herald., 1902-05-05
POTTER PALMER
 DIES SUDDENLY Chicago Millionaire Passes Away After Short Illness WAS WORTH $25,0OO,OOO Was In Business During Civil War and Reaped Immense Profits from Every Advance - Gov.
 .rnment His Debtor.
WAS WORTH $25,0OO,OOO

Chicago, May 4.-Potter Palmer, for nearly half a century one of Chicago most prominent business men. died this afternoon at his residence on Lake Shore drive. The exact cause of MT. Palmer's s death has not yet been determined. He had been suffering for several weeks from a nervous disorder, but as he was able to be about the house, his condition was not thought to be serious. When he re- tired last night he was feeling, if any thing, better than for several years. Dur ing the night however, he seemed to loose all his energy, and this morning was unable to leave his room. He grad ually grew weaker during the day. and at $40 o'clock this afternoon he suffered sudden collapse, from which he expired. The physicians who have been attending MT. Palmer are at a loss to account for | the direct cause Of his death. Apparently he had no organic trouble. Mrs Palmer and their two sons, Honore and Potter, Jr, were with MT. Palmer when he died In all probability he will be buried in Chicago, where he accumulated his for tune.
 | Sunered from Fever.
 | MT. Palmer's condition had not been regarded as extremely serious even by the family physician, pr. H. B. Eavill. Saturday night he suffered from a fever. His temperature rose then to 100, and by this morning was 101, but Dr. Favill, while unable to account for the presence of this lever, did not feel that 1t indi- | taA Palmer noticed symptoms of sinking in MT. Palmer, and became much alarmed. Dr. Favill could not be found and pr. Marquis was called in.
 He reached the Palmer residence at 4 o'clock, and after brief compilation ol the patient advised Mir. Palmer that he could hold out hope. MT. Palmer seemed to fall into sleep at 3 o'clock, although it was fatal inconsistencies, and so he remained until the end.
 pr. Marquis made a vain effort to hold the wavering spark of life of the patient by administering oxygen, but 1t was without avail
 Potter Palmer was born in 1926, in Pot ters Hollow. Albany County, New York He received a common school education and at the age of 16 engaged as clerk In store at Durham, N. r., where he remained three years. When he became oI age ne opened a store or nlS own at Oneida, N. Y.. and conoucted 1t for two years. He afterwards spent one year at | Lockport, N. Y., and then removed to Chicago. where he established dry goods firm. This firm afterward became Field Palmer & Letter, and which has beer succeeded by the firm of Marshall, Field & Co.
 Reaped Immense Gains.
 The sharp advance in the price of goods after the beginning of the civil war found the firm prepared with a large stock and It reaped immense gains from every advance. MT. Palmer retired from mer- cantie life in 1866 and so liberal had been his policy in meeting public requirements during the war, that the government was indebted to him to the extent of three quarters of a million dollars.
 His real estate holdings increased in value until today his fortune Is estimated at $25, ,000 900.
 MT. Palmer was married in 1871 to Miss Bertha M. Honore, daughter of H. H. Honore. a Chicago capitalist of that day, In politics MT. Palmer was a Democrat.