The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-03-31
OIL MAGNATES
ARE SUFFERING
William Rockefeller lnCurabIy
III with Cancer Of the
Stomach.
H. H. ROGERS LOSING MEMORY
Speculative Member Of Great Com.
bination Faces Death, Business
Head Is in Decline, and Founder
Retired, Concern Loses Power.

New York. March 20 Private ad.
vices received IN this city said that
William Rockefeller. who has been
in Europe since early last fall, has
cancer OF the stomach and that his
malady Is incurable.
The illness or William Rockefeller
IS a blow OF stupeqdous proportions
to th1 Standard OH group. John d.
Rockefeller has ceased To be an nc
tual factor IN the manifold undertake
ings Of the group for many months.
With William Rockefeller incurably
m and John d. Rockefeller Ia semi
retirement. the two great geniuses Of
the Standard oil are practically elm
mated.
All the burdens OF the combination
which heretofore were divided are
now being borne by Henry IL. Rogers.
who is Ga years old. and. according 20
men who know him well, not as able
and as capable as he was a few years
ago. Those who have dealings with
him say that his memory has failed
materially IN the last year. They also
| declare his judgment Is not as keen
nor as accurate as formerly.
Has Passed It's Zenith.
Summed up. II rs the opinion OF
| thoughtful men In the financial dis
trict that the Standard oil giant has
seen fits greatest days and that from
now on n will decline IN power and
skill. This does not mean that any
OF the present wealth viii shrink or
be disslpated, but that ms an agrees
sive force capable OF having its will
obeyed IN any venture Il undertakes
II has come 10 a standstill.
All OF the skill OF the Standard oil
In its most secret undertakings has
been employed TO keep the true ma
| tire OF William ROckefellcr's Illness
from becoming known. He IS 81 years
old. and has lived under a tremendous
nervous strain for forty years. lie
has been the speculative member OF
the Standard group Of capitalists. and
has engineered all OF the vast deals
OF that combination In the stock mar
ket. Next 10 his elder brother. John
ID. Rockefeller. probably he is the
richest man in the United States.
Has Ineurable Disease.
The malady which ahiicts william
Rockefeller Is said TO be identical with
that which caused the death or the late
William r Harper. president OF the
| Chicago university the institution 10
which John D. Rockefeller has given
n great many millions. Although the
best medical skill fin the world was
| employed 10 treat President Harper
and though he submitted TO heroic op-
erations. the disease conquered In the
end. Cancer OF the stomach is re-
garded as absolutely incurable even
| by the most modern and daring sur
geons.
William Rockefeller has spent most
Of the winter in Italy, making his
headquarters at Rome As in the case
OF President Harper. his illness per
mits him to travel about. and he has
made FREQUENT motor trips 10 and from
Naples and other points.
Hold vital" Meeting.
There was gathering Monday Of
the Standard on officials and friends
| or Mr.. Rockefeller az the Office OF his
son. John d. Rockefeller, Jr., room
1909. % broadway. which may have
resulted In some important changes
in the management OF the great cor
poratlon.
This meeting was described by n
man IN Mr. Rockefellcr's Office as "ono
OF Vital Importance" II was freely
admitted that the meeting had been
called In an emergency. and II was
said at the Offices that John ID. Rookie.
Teller. Jr.. had attended under great
pressure.
"IIe never would have been pres
emit" one OF the attendants explained,
had II not been urgent" Then with
shrug Of the shoulders he added,
In fact, had Il not been vital"
II Is known that the Illness Of Mrs.
John ID. Rockefeller. Jr.. has caused
him 10 remain closely at home for
some time lie went home as soon
as he could get away from the meet.
Ing. Al his house. AZ West Efty.
fourth street MIR. Rockefeller said
that he would NOT make any State