The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-02-05


New York, Feb. 2.-Wilham c.
Whitney, former secretary of the
navy, and one of the most prominent
Iy known financiers in the country,
died at his home, S71 Fifth avenue, at
o'clock this afternoon while under
the influence of ether.
Early in the afternoon the physi-
clans had decided that second opera
tion for appendicitis must be perform
ed to save his life, but little hope
being held out to the family. At $3.50
the ether was administered, Mr.. Whit
ney, who had been told he might not
live through the operation, bidding
his son, Harry Payne Whitney, his
daughter, Miss Dorothy Whitney,
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and the lat
ters little daughter Gladys, good
bye.
His condition was now found to be
SO low that the operation was put off
and the end came peacefully half an
hour later. William c. Whitney was
best known to his fellow citizens as
member of President Cleveland's cab
met AS secretary OF the navy he
is credited with having inaugurated
our modern navy. When Secretary
Whitney returned to private life in
1889 at the close of Mr.. Cleveland's
term, there were in the navy thirteen
modern ships OF war that had either
been contracted for or completed dur
ing his term.
In later years Mr.. Whitney branched
out as a street car magnate, and with
Messrs. Widener Elkins and Dolan,
of Philadelphia he secured control of
tho Metropolitan Street railway here
and the street cars of Philadelphia.
Six years ago Mr.. Whitney became
prominent on the running turf, both
here and in England. his vast fortune
permitting him to indulge in this
sport of kings" With his usual
vigor and the unlimited funds at his
command he soon gathered one of the
best stables in the world. His turf
triumps have been numerous, but
those that brought him the most
pleasure were the victory of Volod
zovski in the English Derby OF 1901
and the winning Of the Futurity in
1900 by Ballyhoo Bey. Within a few
years Nj. Whitney obtained control
of the Saratoga race track and his
efforts 10 make il one of the finest in
the world have met with signal sue.
cess.
Mr.. Whitney was born in Conway,
Mass, July Is, 1871. His father was
BIigadier General James Scolay
Whitney, prominent inancier and
founder of railroad and steamship
lines. Mr. Whitney graduated from
Yale and from the Harvard law school
ard then camc to this city to study
in the law Offices of Abraham r. Law
renee. 1t was here that he first be-
camo Interested in politics. In 1871
he organized a Young Mems Demo
cratic club and a year later he be-
came leader OF the County Democra-
cy. His appointment OF corporation
counsel followed, an Office which he
resigned in 1882
Mr. Whitney ended mis- career in
public Office at tho close OF Mr.. Cleve- !
lands first term. although he did not
announce his retirement from politics
until several years later. He remain
ed an important figuro in Democratic
eounsels until the advents of William
J. Bryan.
Mr.. Whitney was married twice
Tho first Mrs Whitney was Miss
Flora rayne, daughter of United
States Senator Payne, of Ohio. She
died in 1893, leaving four children:
Pauline. who is now Mrs. Almcric
Hugh Paget; Harry Payne Whitney,
Payne Whitney and Dorothy Whitney.
The secfnd wife of Mr.. Whitney
was Mrs. Edith s. Randolph, widow
Of an English military officer. The
marriage took place in Bar Harbor in
1896 The bride was daughter of
DIR. william May OF Baltimore and
was sister, OF Fred May.
Two years later, while Mrs. Whit.
ney was riding TO hounds at Aiken, s.
G., she received an injury which re-
suited in her death year later.
Mr.. Whitney was rated among the
Liulti-millionaires.
The following Is the official state
ment given out this evening at the
home OF Mr.. William c. Whitney
"Mr. Whitney died at o'clock, of
peritonltis, blood poisoning, following
an operation for appendicitis. The In.
terment will be at Woodlawn ceme-
terry at q date to be hereafter fixed,
IN tho family plot where are the re-
mains of Mrs. Flora Payne Whitney,
Olive Whitney and Mr. Whitney's
grandchlld, Flora Paget.
Mr.. Whitney's children, Harry
Payne and Miss Dorothy, were with
him when he died. The funeral serv'
. ices will be held at Grace church,
/. whore Mr.. Whitney was pew holder.
"The arrangements for the funeral
Ne in charge of Mr., II. Partridge,