Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-27
Sleeps for Several Hours Immediately Pre-
ceding the End,
CAUSE OF DEATH is HEART FAILURE
DR., Jameson and Brother of Deceased at
the Bedside.
END ANTICIPATED FOR SEVERAL DAYS
sketch of Career of Man who Was
Central Figure in Politics and De-
veIopment of south
Africa.

CAPETOwN, March 26-Cecil Rhodes
died peacefully at 5:57 p. m.
He slept during the afternoon, but his
breathing became more dificult and his
strength perceptibly diminished until he
passed away.
Mr.. Rhodes was conscious until . :55 p. m,
when he muttered a few words and sank
quickly. The immediate cause of his death |
was two successive attacks of heart failure.
At his bedside were DR.. Jameson, DR.. J. |
w. Smart, the commissioner OF public |
works; Colonel Elmhurst Rhodes, director
of signalling in South Africa field force.
and Mr.. Walton, member Of the assembly of |
Port Elizabeth. Mr.. Rhodes last words |
were the names OF his brother and some Of |
the others present, which were meant to be
good-byes.
The only person who attended him during |
his illness and who was not present at his |
dsathbed was DR.. Stevenson, all the others,
his boys and personal servants we're ad- |
mitted at the last.
The body will be taken to Grooteschuur, |
the residence OF the deceased, near Cape |
town, on a special train tomorrow. There
It probably will lie in state for a day or |
two and the public will be admitted to
view the remains 1t has not been deter |
mined where he will be buried. 1t was the |
wish OF MIR. Rhodes to be inferred at
Matoppo Hills. Rhodesia. Certain of his
friends will proceed to Matoppo Hills to de-
termlne whether 1t is practicable to carry
out this wish. The features of the dead
man are placid and a death mask Of them
will be taken.
VIII Have n Public Funeral.
The government has decided to give Cecil
Rhodes a public funeral. His remains will
be brought here from Grotescuquer. The
body will, after services in the cathedral,
be taken back to his former home, and
finally inferred at Matoppo Hills.
Since Mr.. Rhodes took to his bed three
weeks ago, his friends had been most
anxious that he should recover sufficiently
TO be taken to England.
The cottage where he died was a simple
seaside cabin. small and close to the rail-
road. Z was III fitted to be a sick chamber,
although the utmost was done 20 Improve
the ventilation and make 1t more comfort-
able. Dr. Stevenson slept by his patient
every night, that he might be In readiness
10 administer oxygen, which practically
kept Mr.. Rhodes alive. Last Sunday he
lost all interest in everything.
His rally from the crisis of Tuesday left
but the fantest hopes for his ultimate re-
covery. These were entirely abandoned
with the renewed attack at noon today.
The news Of his death spread through
and caused profound grief. All places OF
amusement were Immediately closed. An
open air concert was Immediately stopped
and the audience uncovered while the
band played the Dead March," The peo-
pie then silently dispersed
LONDON, March 26.-The death of Cecil
Rhodes came as no great surprise to those
few who saw anything of him on his last
visit to London during the winter. Whether
1t was due to his experiences during the
long siege OF Kimberley or the accumulated
Rnxieties regarding the war In South Africa,
with an accompanying change OF public
feeling in England toward him, there is no
doubt his health was almost completely
broken down within the last two years.
Radical Changes by Disease.
Even his appearance changed His once
hnely ehiseled face had become bloated and
his always huge frame filled out until he be-
came stout as to make walking a mat
ter OF dificulty. He was frequently at.
tackled with severe heart troubles. during
which he exhibited the stoicism which
marked his extraordinary career.
Nor did he allow his bodily ailments TO
Interfere with business. Among his asso-
ciates in the city he never mentioned them
nor did he permit them to be mentioned TO
him.
Up to the last Mr.. Rhodes kept a firm
grip on all those vast South African in
terests created and controlled by him. Ex-
cept that he was more irritable and more
dictatorial there was no outward change
IN his method of handling men. millions
and empires. Toward the social side Of
life, however, he soured visibly. Once his
days work at the of1ces of the British
Chartered South Africa company was over
he shut himself up from the curious in an
unfrequented London hotel where he ut
terly denied himself to all except half a
dozen favored intimates.
DR.. Jameson was his constant companion.
Indeed. none Of DR.. Jameson's indiscre-
tions ever affected the warm friendship ex-
listing between the two men. They could be
seen in the park in the morning. taking
solitary rides on horses. never breaking out
from a walk. the cynosure OF all eyes, yet
severely unobservant OF the hundreds of
London's political and social leaders who
had the right to a bowing acquaintance
ship.
shuns Government Leaders.
More especially did Mr.. Rhodes shun the
present government leaders. He bitterly
expressed his contempt OF British army
methods in South Africa. and probably
never quite forgave Mr.. Chamberlain and
Lord Miner for not consulting him or en-
deavOring TO utilize the powerful financial
political machine which Mr.. Rhodes un-
doubtedly manipulated over the whole Of
South Africa.
With increasing irascibility. which he aid
not hesitate to vent on duke or plebian who
crossed his path. he grew more and more
restless as the end OF his life drew near
He was never eontented TO stay long in one
place. His closing days devolyed into al
unoeasing. purposeless quest Of change o.
scene. During his recent trip TO Egypt thil
was particularly noticeable. He rusheC
from place TO place. as n with the only
object Of upsetting his own plans. Then b.
suddenly returned TO England.
Financial Eject Discounted.
Financially. Mr.. Rhodes death is no