Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-04
W. {. WHITNEY DEAD
The Ex-Secrstary q the Navy Dies
Soon Altar a Operation.


II 4F0& fM nv 3A H, rs N yts 8s8 \
Ths Msws Of Arr. Whitnsy'1 Death Dsspi
| Moves ne. Clsvtlaea. DnAeF whom Il
| tho Former Hsld CAbi-
nst Once.
| New York, Feb. 3.--William Collin
Whitney, former secretary OF the navy
died few minutes after four o'clccl
yesterday afternoon at his home, 81
Fifth avenue. He died while tindel
the influence Of ether administered
preparatory to q second operation foi
appendicitis. BY his bedside were hii
son, Harry Payne Whitney, and his
daughter, Dorothy Whitney, as well a.
DR.. William 7. Bull, the chief surgeon
in attendance. He was in his sixty
fourth year
Mr.. Whitney was taken III Friday
night at the performance OF Rigoletto
at the Metropolitan opera house and
had to leave before the opera ended.
DR.. Walter B. James, the Whitney
family physician, was summoned and
found that the condition Of the pa
tent was such that, after consulta-
ton, an operation was decided upon
and was performed by DR.. Bull The
patient rallied 30 well that It was fully
believed he would recover.
Mr.. Whitney's condition was very
grave, however, on Sunday and Monday
and at consultation held yesterday.
afternoon the conclusion was reached
that the only hope for the patient lay
In second operation. A bulletin is
sued In the morning stated that there
had been slight Improvement in the
patients condition, but shortly before
three o'clock alarming symptoms were
noted and hurried preparations were
made for q second operation. Mr..
Whitney was placed under the infu-
ence of ether, but whether the opera
ton was proceeded with or not Is un-
known. When the physicians per-
ceived that the patient was III danger
of death Harry Payne Whitney and
Miss Dorothy Whitney were immedi-
ately notified. They FASTENED to the
side Of their father and in a few min
utes he had breathed his last. Oxygen
was used and all the skill Of the physi-
clans and surgeons brought into play
to save the life Of the distinguished
patient. but to no avail.
It was five o'clock before the simple
fact Of his death was made public.
Later the following statement was is
sued: "Mr. Whitney died at four |
o'clock oflperitonitis and blood poison
Ing following an operation for appendi-
nitis."
Mr.. and Mrs. Payne whitney were in
rhomasville, Ga, when Mr.. Whitney's
became critical, but they left
Sor New York Immediately on d special
rain. A cablegram was sent Saturday
% Mrs. Almerich Paget. Mr.. Whitney's
laughter In London. and It Is believed
hat she IL now on her way home.
Ex-Prssideat Cleveiand's tribute. |
Princeton, N. r., Feb. 3.--Mr. Cleve-
and was deeply moved when he
earned Of Mr.. Whitney's death. To
IN Associated press representative he
aid:
THE news Of Mr.. Whitney's death
las greatly shocked me. AS I think Of |
i'm, my mind, passing beyond recent
ears, dwells upon the days Of my as
ociation with him In high official
uty and recalls the time when | had
be opportunity to enjoy his unre-
erved intimacy and friendly compan-
,nship. Our relations have never
hanged, but the exigencies Of life have
,rbidden recent close intercourse.
"Mr. Whitney had more calm, force
II efficiency than any man | ever
new. In work that interested him
. actually seemed to court difficulties
nd to ilnd pleasure and exhilaration
overcoming them. His conquest
yer the obstacles he encountered in
to build up our navy az
,rded him greater delight than the
Of the great results he
chieved In his department Of the gov
His Judgment was quick,
ear and astonishingly accurate; and, !,
hen Il was called into action, his
ental poise was so complete that !
sither passion nor irritation could !
ed 1t astray.
while I remember all this with adj :
iration and affection, I recall with !
ore tender sentiment Mr.. whitney's :
,votion to his friends, his extreme
'nsideration for all with whom he !
me In contact, his thoughtfulness for !.
70 ease and comfort Of others and his
ady impulse to help those who need
help. mourn the death Of q friend /,
whom Il can be truthfully said that !
bis character were combined mental 4
ats Of high order and loving quail +
IS OF heart that grappIed him to his q
lends with hooks OF steel"