New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-08
RUTH CLEVELAND DEAD.
Er-PreSidentS Eldest Child Sue
cunlbS to Heart Disease.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


Princeton N j. Jan. THE homo Of ex-
President Cleveland was plunged in sorrow this
morning by the sudden death of the eldest child,
Ruth The family had spent the holidays to-
gether at their home, Wesuands. and had hardly
settled down after the Christmas festivities
when the shadow OF death came.
on New Years Day Ruth went out skating
with some friends. and contracted bad cold.
but otherwise seemed in good health DR.. J. H.
Wikoff, the family physician in Princeton was
summoned after a few days. and put the child
into bed but did not regard the case as In any
way alarming. Yesterday it was discovered.
however, that Ruth was suffering from diph-
iberia, and IN the afternoon antitoxin was In
jected. But even then 1t was regarded as mild
case Early this morning Mrs. Cleveland. who
was sitting up with the child. became alarmed
at the symptoms. and Dr. WikoH was hurriedly
called, to find the child dying the result OF
heart trouble. She died about O'Clock this
morning.
The unexpected turn Of the case surprised the
attending physicians who thought the attack
so mild that a trained nurse had not been sum-
moned. and DR.. Bryant, the family physician
from New York who is always on hand IN
cases Of severe sickness in the Cleveland family.
did not arrive until after the death
President John H. Finley OF the College Of the
City of New-York who has been personal
friend OF Mr.. Cleveland for years, came down
to make all the funeral arrangements. and an
nounCed that the funeral would be held at the
home in Bayard Lane, at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning, after brief service conducted by the
Rev. Maitland V. Bartlett. EX-President Cieve-
land Dean Andrew F. West, President FINLEY
end a few other intimate friends will accompany
the body to the Princeton Cemetery. MRS.
Cleveland will not be well enough to go. The
public will not be invited owing to the con-
tagiOuS nature OF the disease.
DIT. Bryant says that none OF the other chill
dren show any symptoms Of diphtherta yet
Ali day long messages OF sympathy have been
coming In from all over the country. The whole
town has been affected by the sorrow OF the
family, and the girls death has been the chief
topic OF conversation everywhere.
Ruth Cleveland had been known ever since her
birth as Baby Ruth" She was born IN this city
on October 8. 1891. Her father at that time
talked of for Il denomination and she was the
object of much interest to the public.
When her father returned TO the White House
In 1893 the little girl became well known figure
In Washington. It is said that for a few days
before each OF her birthdays there were strings
Of express wagons waiting to deliver the pres
ents sent to her from all parts CT the world.
Soon after the return to the White House a
rumor went abroad that some Western des-
peradoes had formed plot 10 kidnap Baby
Ruth" She and her nurse were guarded by
Secret Service for some time. Nothing
came OF the supposed plot
Ruth is described by one who saw her recent
" as "a quiet, motherly little woman. greatly
concerned with the care Of her younger sisters
when her mother was not about" She impressed
one as u child OF decided character. She had
her mothers blue eyes and chestnut hair and
her fathers forehead and something OF his ex-
preston
Size was a great favorite at the private schoo!
OF Miss May Fine. IN Mercer-st.. where the chill
dren OF the Rev. DR.. Henry Dyke. President
Woodrow Wilson. Dean Harry Fine and Dean
Andrew West attend. She had a quiet but sunny
disposition. and was one OF the brightest girls
at the school
Ruth leaves two sisters and two brothers. Es-
Their was born on September o. 1893, the first
child born in the White House: Marion came
next on July :, 1895. When Richard Folsom.
the elder son. was born, IN October OF 1897 the
Princeton students met on the campus and
cheered the newcomer The following announce
ment appeared the bulletin board that day:
Grover Cleveland, jr.. arrived to-day at Il
O'Clock; viii enter Princeton with the class OF
1916. and viii play centre rush on the cham
Iionshp football teams of 10 Il. rs and 10.
Francis Grover. the youngest child. was born
at Buzzard's Bay last June.