The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

MIR. A J. Cassatt. president of the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad. died suddenly
Of heart disease at 1 p. m. today. The
symptoms were those known to the
profession as the Stokes-Adams syn
cope. and as is often the case. under
these circumstances, death was instan-
taneous"
AiIing Since September.
Mr.. Cassatt died in his city residence
surrounded by the members OF the fam
ily He had been ailing ever since he
returned last September from his sum-
mer home a I Bar HarbOr. where he con-
tracted wncoping cough from his grand
children This attack left him weak
ened and he did not go to his office for
several weeks, but remained at his
country home at Haverford.
Early in October Mr.. Cassatt felt
much better and came regularly to his
office for several weeks when he was
again attacked by illness. this time
With d heavy cold. His exact condition
was not publicly known and this gave
rise to many runners OF serious Illness
and sudden death. He recovered suff1-
cienty. however. to resume his duties
and was at Broad street station regu-
larly until December s. his birthday.
That was the last day he was at his
office. Since that time he spent much
Of his time driving and at his home.
transacting only the most important
business brought to his attention. He
was out driving as late as last Mon
day While not feeling as we'll as he
had been Mr. Cassatt rose from his bed
today Dut Clio not leave his room. The
family was not alarmed as he seemed
10 be I'm good spirits and no one had
The slightest thought Of his death
The Final Attack
About I O'Clock while sitting on
chair the final attack came. He was
instantly rendered unconscious and
when his attending physician arrived
he found him dead.
The news Of President Cassatt's death
came as a great shock to people at
Philadelphia
Few a first credited the report The
best information the public had here
was that he had slight cold and was
rapidly improving This information
was given ont last Monday. Nothing
further could be learned of his condi-
tion until shortly before o'clock to-
Cay when telephone message was
sent from his private office to the As
sCciated Press announcing his sudden
death
sketch OF His Life.
A J. Cassatt has been president or
the Pennsylvania railroad since June,
1899. He was born at Pittsburg on
Dec. S. 1899. and was therefore a
tTifie over 6 I years Of age at the time
OF his death. He was educated at the
University of Heidelberg and Renssel-
aer Polytechnic institute
MT. Cassatt was married to Louise
18th president Of the United States
He was engaged in locating q rail-
way in Georgia from 1859 to 1851 He
then entered the service OF the Penn
sylrania railway as rodman in 1861
Was appointed assistant engineer o.
the Philadelphia and Trenton in 1863:
resident engineer Philadelphia and
Erie 1863. superintendent motive pow
and machinery Of the Pennsylvania
railroad in 1867; general superinten-
dent Of the Pennsylvania 1870: gener-
Al manager lines east OF Pittsburg
1S71-4; third vice president 1s74-sO:
first vice president 1902: resigned
vice president Sept 80. 1882; elected
director Sep -, 1883; elected presi-
dent June. 1893
Mr. Cassatt was the owner of Ches-
terbrook farm near Phila delphia. and
was known as one of the best stock
and horse breeders in the United
States. his entries at the various stock
and horse shows taking many prizes