Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-05
part, although the strain of the past seven
days has been extreme
At His Desk a Week Ago.

part. although the strain of the past seven
days has been extreme.
At His Desk Week Ago.
Postmaster General Payne attended the
meeting of the Cabinet week ago yester-
day. and afterward saying to those near at
hand that he did not feel we'll, went to his
nome and did not return to the office in the
afternoon. His condition improved to such
an extent that he again went to his office
wednesday morning, but did not return af-
ter luncheon, and. in fact. that was his last
appearance at his post of duty. His abb
sence was explained by his private secre-
tary, Francis H. Whitney as due to a cold
from which he had been suffering since his
return from the west a fortnight ago, but
those who knew the Postmaster General
felt that there was more behind it than a
slight cold such a trivial illness being in
sufficient to keep him from his duties. He
mad not been well since last spring, when
ne was attacked with govt, from which he
never fully recovered, and which even a
long sea voyage. to Galveston and return
failed to thoroughly eradicate from his sys-
tenn. Since his return from trip to Mil
Waukee and back by way of his old home In
Massachusetts he had never felt as well as
for the few months preceding that time
and his work at the Office demanded so
much OF his personal attention that he con-
hned himself there more than was believed
to be good for his health.
~ASSA " Lay w DIX ASIDE.
1t is now known that it was during this
time that the disease which finally killed
MIN was rapidly encroaching upon his ply
sical strength. and, although his mind was
unlmpalred until within few hours of the
end' ana only then by Inconsistencies, that
he was undermining what little yfeor re-
manned with him to act as a comha tive
agent Friends told him he was doing him.
selI an injury by paying such strict atten-
tlon 10 mis- duties, and insisted that he Law
more OF the work upon the shoulders of his
subordinates. That, however. did NOT an
peal 10 Mr Payne. He had for years been
In the habit of attending to his own work
ana little thing like pain or a cold was
not likely to deter him at this time when
he had the most important duties ne he
life to perform. -
On last Wednesday afternoon he stopped
at lhe white House on his way home to
luncheon. and after that meal he felt 60 ~,
that he went to bed for the last time Madi
cal assistance was summoned that evening
put ne grew worse, and DIR. Magruder on
IeaVing the sick room Thursday evening
announced the serious character of the i'll
ness, stating that recently decided symp-
toms OF heart trouble had developed.
Relatives Informed.
DR.. Rixey. surgeon general of the navy.
was called in and kilograms were sent to
relatives. announcing the gravity of the
the following day his condition remained
extremely grave. and twice the end seemed
near. Heroic remedies in moderate doses
were resorted to with gratifying results Dr.
Z. L. Grayson, naval surgeon, was called
into the case. and later in the day DIR. Will
lam Osler, the heart specialist and dag
nostician of Baltimore, was called into CON
sultatfon. Friday the sinking spells began
and a bulletin was issued announcing that
the feeble action of the heart was the cause
n oil ar,1 1a@o
he had had a number of sinking spells. That
night he gained more rest than on any
night since he had been stricken, but early
Saturday morning there was a recurrence
of the sinking spells. He rallied with the
application of StimulantS and restOratives,
but soon grew weaker again.
No Hope Encouraged.
Thus from the beginning the friends of
Mr.. Payne had cause for the gravest APP
prehension, and practically not ray of
hope was held out for his recovery.
Saturday night was severe tax on the
remaining vitality of the patient. and dur
ing Sunday afternoon his condition became
SO critical that the relatives were hurried y
summoned to the bedside. Mr. Payne, how
ever. rallied under vigorous treatment and
he was able 40 take nourishment, to con-
verse with the doctors and to speak to Mrs.
Payne. An unusual degree of Improvement
was reported by the doctors.
sunday was a uay OIL SIldTp contrasts. IN
the forenoon and early afternoon he suf-
fered a succession of sinking spells. and
at one time the relatives were summoned
to the sick chamber, and at Mrs Paynes
side rally followed. and later in the
day the doctors announced a decided i'm
provement.
Serious Relapse Monday.
This condition continued throughout Sun
day night until 3 o'clock Monday morning.
when one of the most serious of the re-
lapses occurred. The serious relapse of
Monday morning was severe strain on the
already weakened constitution of the
patient. During the afternoon the informa-
ton came from his room that he was rapid
ly losing ground. that life was being sus-
tained artihcia1ly and that he was believed
then to be near deaths door The official
bulletin issued at q pm. summing up the
situation for the day, stated that there had
been no Improvement during the day. and
that the hearts action was kept up by the
repeated use of arterial stimulants.
Monday night Mr. Payne suffered one of
the worst sinking spells Of his illness. The
relatives were summoned to the bedside at
midnight, and remained there two hours,
momentarily expecting death, but shortly
after o'clock there was slight rally.
The physicians regarded this, however. as
merely a prelude to dissolution, and re-
garded 1t as remarkable that the sick man
was alive when Tuesday morning dawned.
For a short time during the early morning
hours his pulse grew little steadier, and
there was a feeble rally, but weakness
again became marked. and there was q
steady diminution of strength throughout
the forenoon followed by lapse into I'M
consciousness around the noon hour from
which the sick man never emerged.
Widespread Anxiety.
During the Illness kilograms poured into
the Arlington annex. where Mr.. Payne
made his home while In Washington. by
the hundreds They came from almost