The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-04
POSTMASTER. GENERAL DYING.
AN DAY YESTERDAY HIS LIFE
HtNG IN THE BALANCE.
Heart Action Kept Up BY Repeated Use
OF stlmulants-A Series OF sinking
spells During Day and Night, Last or
Which La ExnaCled TO Prove Eaial

which Is Expected to- Prove Fatal.
eral Payne is believed to have only short
time to live He had a severe sinking spell
about midnight, which Is expected to prove
fatal. His family has been summoned
and is now at the bedside.
Throughout the day the life OF the Post
master-General hung in the balance. Early
this morning the physicians reported that
the latter part of the night had witnessed
much loss Of ground and dangerous sinking
spells. A rally occurred at about clock
and it was maintained the greater part Of
the forenoon. Even then it was admitted
that the life OF the patient was slowly ebbing
away, and that the end was only matter
OF hours. About noon, however, the
physicians announced an improvement.
Within an hour this was followed by a sink
ing spell and members of the family were
convinced that the end was not far away.
Another rally came and DR., Magruder
reported that the symptoms were more
favorable, although Mr.. Payne was still
restless. At @ o'clock it was admitted in a
bulletin signed by Surgeon General Rixey
Of the navy and Drs. Magr,der and Gray
son that there had been no improvement
during the day; that heart action had been
kept up by the repeated use Of arterial
stimulants, to which the patient responded
1t was manifest during the day that
Mr. Payne's condition was becoming more
grave, as he continued to lose strength
necessitating more constant use of stimu-
lants. In fact, it is stated that at one time
his extremities were cold One OF the
attending physicians said before 3 o'clock
that while MIR PAYNE might hold on to life
several hours, his condition was 80 grave
that he was in danger Of passing away at
any moment.
Between 3 and o'clock this morning the
Postmast ter General had a series of sink
ing spells. DR.. Osler arrived from Bslti-
more a little before 0 o'clock, remaining
more than half an hour in consultation
with Drs. RiNey, Magruder and GraySon.
At $40 the following bulletin was issued:
"Since 3 O'Clock this morning he has not
been as well The hearts action is again
weaker, Condition not SO favorable.
Another bulletin was issued as follows
There has been some Improvement since
the morning consultations. Retains all
nourishment. Now resting quietly"
This was signed by Drs. Magruder and
Grayson.
President Roosevelt called few minutes
after noon. He spent twenty minutes
with the family and physicians. When he
emerged from the hotel he said in reply
TO questions that while the condition Of
Mr.. Payne was less favorable than on the
previous morning there was still room for
hope. All the visitors to the house during
the day We're impressed with the idea that
the condition of Mr. Payne vas becoming
hourly more critical and that It was only
question of how long his marvellous
vitality could withstand the ravages of
disease.
Mrs. Payne and the other members OF
the family became convinced this afternoon
of the hopelessness Of the case. In this
they had the support OF some OF the physi-
clans. although the more optimistic Of Mr..
Payne's attendants refused to utter a
word. except along lines Of hope, and ex-
pressing the opinion that It was still pos
sible for him to retain sufficient strength
for another and even more favorable rally
than that Of yesterday.
This bulletin was issued at Q O'Clock:
No improvement during the day. Heart
action kept up by repeated use OF arterial
stimulants. He continues to respond to
them"
Soon after this bulletin was issued DR..
Magrlder conferred over the telephone
with DR.. Osler. who said that every hour
the patient was kept alive the more hope
there was OF possible ultimate recovery.
The callers were more numerous at the
Payne apartments to-day than at any
time since the illness OF the Postmaster
General. In addition to the President,
Secretaries Wilson and Hitchcock called,
as we'll as First Assistant Postmaster
General Wynne. President Needham of
the George Washingt University, former
Senator Henderson and Gen. Gillespie Of
the Engineer Corps OF the Navy Miss
Belle Hagner brought over bunch OF
roses from Mrs. Roosevelt, Secretary
Barnes Of the White House STAFF called
about o'clock at the request Of the Presi-
dent. TIE President cancelled theatre
engagement tonight on account OF the
illness Of the Postmaster-General.
Mrs. Winfield Fl. Cam eron Of Milwaukee,,
a niece Of Postmaster General Payne, ar
rived tonight. This completes the family
crcl" at the bedside.
The bulletin issued at $50 p. NJ. says.
Mr.. Payne continues to respond well to
remedies; is now sleeping quietly; some
Improvement
Private Secretary Whitney gave out the
following: bulletin:
AT II o'clock the Postmaster General
was resting quietly and the attending
physicians and the family have retired"
Half an hour later the patients condition
tooltian unfavorable turn and the physicians
and family ware hastily summoned to his