The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-03
v. c. WHITNEY, FORMER
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,
DIES AFTER OPERATION
Peritonitis and Blood Poisoning
Follow an Attempt to Allie
viate Appendicitis.
HIS DEATH A SURPRISE
End Comes While Under Influence
of Ether, Preparatory to
Second Operation.
TRIBUTES TO THE DEAD
Grover Cleveland and Senator
German Give Praise-Brief
Sketch OF His Life.

NEW YORK. Feb. 2-William Collins
Whitney former secretary OF the navy. died
few minutes after clock this afternoon
at his home. Su Fifth avenue. He died
while under the influence OF ether adminis-
tered preparatory 10 a second operation for
appendicitis. BY his bedside were his sen.
Harry Payne Whitney, and his daughter.
Dorothy Whitney. as well as Dr. William
7. Bull, the chief surgeon in attendance.
Mr.. Whitney was taken I'll on Friday
night at the performance of "Rigoletto' at
Metropolitan Opera House and had 10 leave
before the opera ended. DR.. Walter b.
James. the Whitney family physician.
summoned and found the condition OF the
patient was such that after consultation an
operation was decided on and was per-
formed by DR.. Bull. The patient rallied so
well that it was fully believed he would re-
cover. Mr.. Whitney's condition was very
grave, however on Sunday and Monday.
and at a consultation held this afternoon
the conclusion was reached that the only
hope for the patient lay in a second op-
Grafton.
A bulletin issued in the morning stated
that there had been a slight improvement
i'm the patients condition, but shortly be-
fore o'clock alarming symptoms were
noted and hurried preparations were made
for a second operation. Mr.. Whitney was
placed under the influence OF ether, but
whether the operation was proceeded with
or not is unknown.
When the physicians perceived that the
patient In danger of death Harry
Payne Whitney and Miss Dorothy Whitney
were Immediately notified. They hastened
TO the side of their father and in few
minutes he had breathed his last. Oxygen
was used and all the skill of the physicians
and surgeons brought into play 10 save the
life of the DISTINGUISHED patient. but 20 no
fact of his death was made public.
FAMILY'S STATEMENT.
Later the following statement was issued:
''Mr. Whitney died at o'clock Of perltonitis
for appendicitis. Tie interment will be at
Woodlawn. at a date 10 be hereafter fixed.
in the family plot, where are the remains
of Mrs. Flora Payne Whitney, Olive Whit
ney and Mr.. Whitneys grandchild. Flora
Payne Pagett. Mr.. Whtney's children, Mr..
Harry Payne and Miss Dorothy Whitney.
were with him when he died. The funeral
services will be held at Grace Church,
where Mr.. Whitney was pewhOlder. The
full list of pallbearers viii be given later"
Soon after the death visitors began to
Cornelius Vanderbilt and ex-Secretary OF
War Elihu Root.
Mr. and Mrs. Payne whitney were in
Thomasville. Ga. when Mr.. Whitney's con-
dition became critical, but they left FOR
New York Immediately on a special train
A cahlegram was sent Saturday TO Mrs.
Almerich Paget Mr.. Whitney's daughter
in London and il is believed that she is
on her way home.
The board Of governors. of the Democratic
Club. of which Mr.. Whitney was mem
ber postponed an entertainment the club
was to have had tonight.