The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-03-13
The Great Erratic Leader Dies
Suddenly from Apo.
pIexy.
HE DIED IN THE HARNESS
Stricken Mt the Close Of a Great
Speech Appealing for Aid
for BOer Women
and Children.

JOLIET. Ill. March l2.--Ex- Gov
ernor John P. Altgeld was stricken
with apoplexy late last night and died
at 7:09 this morning at the Hotel
Monroe. He was unconscious at 4
o'clock this morning and four physi-
clans who had been summoned in con-
sultatlon had diagnosed the case as
apoplexy 1t was the opinion that he
probably could not live until daylight.
Mr. Al'geld was in one Of the rooms
on the top floor OF the hotel and
strict orders were given that no one
other than the doctors attending him
be allowed In the suite
Judge Altgeld was stricken at the
close Of an address delivered at the
opera house in behalf OF the Boer wo-
men and children in the concentration
camps OF South Africa.
While Rev. j A. ]. Whipple was ad-
dressing the crowd Mr.. Altgeid arose
from his seat on the stage and walked
hurriedly to the wings. Reaching
there he fell In dead faint to the
floor and did not recover Conscious
ness until nearly O'Clock fter he had
been removed to the Monroe Hotel
across the street.
At midnight. Mr.. Altgeld had lost
consciousness again and as late as 4
o'clock this morning there was not the
slightest indication OF his improve
ment
Though Mr. Altgeld was not in view
of the assemblage when he fell to the
floor. the incident created great en-
citement in the theater. AS he walk
ed across the stage his sudden palor
attracted attention and Immediately
afterward Rev. Mr.. whipple's address
was interrupted while ,equest for
physicians in, the audience to come
forward was made. As none of the
local physicians was in the audience.
owing to a banquet OF the Joliet Med
ical Society. It was several minutes
before medical attention could he Sc
cured.
In his speech Mr.. Altgeld made a
forcible plea for the Boer women and
children in the concentration camps
in South Africa. In his Introductory
remarks he declared that all friends of
humanity owed debt of gratitude to
Governor Yates for issuing a procla-
nation soliciting assistance for the
Boer women and children in the con-
centration camps which the British are
maintaining in South Africa.
The speaker said that the people Of
America had raised large sum OF
money with which to relieve the dis
tress of the Boer women and children,
but We're unable to send 1t to them be-
cause Lord Pauncefote, British ambas-
sador at Washington. objected TO it.
He further charged that Lord Paunce-
fote had for years meddled in Amer
lean affairs,
There were eighteen counts and
specific charges in Governor Altgeld's
indictment. He said in substance:
Just before the beginning of the
Spanish war, Lord Pauneefote' repre-
senting the aristocracy, meddled in
our affirs and tried to unite the gov
ernments Of Europe in making joint
protest against Americas interference
in behalf Of Cuba But when the
American people asserted themselves
our government was compelled to go
to the rescue of Cuba, England issued
a strong neutrality proclamation, for
biding all Of her subjects everywhere
from furnishing us any aid or doing
that would in any way he
violation Of the strie,es raaty"
The meeting was arranged under the
of the Chicago branch. of the
American Transvaal League. The
German. Swiss. italian and Irish So