Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-29
ALEXANDRIA CASSATT DEAD
dead Of Pennsylvania Railroad Company
Expires Suddenly of Heart Disease
IN Ill HEALTH FOR NEARLY A YEAR
He Was Much Better and He Resumed
Work at once and His Death
Was Entirely Unex-
pected.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8.-Alexander
Johnston Cassatt president OF the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad company, and one of the
foremost railroad men and financiers in
the country, died suddenly at his resi-
dence in this city today of heart disease.
He was victim of an attack known pro-
fessionally as the "Stokes-Adams syncope."
Mr. Cassatt was 81 years old.
Though Mr.. Cassatts death was unex-
pected he had been in i'll health for nearly
year His condition was aggravated by
an attack of whooping cough which he
contracted from his grand children while at
Bar Harbor in September He never en-
tirely recovered from this attack, and when
he returned to Philadelphia he remained
for several weeks at his country home in
Haverford.
He was much improved by the rest and
carly in October began going regularly to
his office. Shortly afterward he was again
stricken. having contracted a heavy cold.
At that time it was denied that his condi-
ton was serious and there was no intima-
ton that he was suffering from any heart
affection. During November he was suffi-
GENTLY recovered to resume his work and
| he continued attending to important mat
tiers until his birthday. December 8, Again
II was reported that he was seriously Ill,
| but this was denied.
Mr.. Cassatt spent much OF his time driv-
| ing and was out as late as Monday. Sub
| sequently he was known to have been con-
| fined to his bed. hut even then his condi-
ton was not regarded as alarming. While
not feeling entirely WELL Mr. Cassatt arose
from his bed this morning, but remained
In his room. He seemed in good spirits
and his family was not alarmed about his
condition and had no thought OF his death
Shortly before l o'clock he suffered ar
acute heart attack and became unconscious
His wife and his daughter. Mrs. w. II
! Lunkett Stewart, were with him and q
physician was summoned, but he was deaC
when the physician arrived. The lattei
said that death had been almost instan
taneous.
Prominent Scientists Present.
The news of Mr.. Cassatrs death was a
once telephoned to Broad Street station
and was flashed to the financial and bust
ness sections of the city. The effect upol
the local stock market was not as great a
might have been expected. Pennsylvania
was quoted at 1881 when the news wa
reached and the stock dropped only three
fourths-
| Al NiAt tAtGuNlNN bhANtS VI inc ld4AlO
for time business was practically sus
pended His condition had not been though
such as to suggest any definite arrange
ments for the succession to the presidency
and the Board Of Directors will not NEE
until after the funeral. for which arrange
ments have not been announced.
Some months ago Mr.. Cassatt made
change In the organization OF the CON
pany, which put new duties on some of tn
higher officials. Among these was Samu'
Rea, the third vice president, and il wa
suggested at the time that the act wa
equivalent 10 placing Mr.. Rea in line 10
promotion. Pending the election Of a sue
cessor First Vice President Green will a;
sumo charge OF the railroad company.
The operation Of the railroad in the Las
year is said 10 have had much 10 do wit
, the breaking OF Mr.. Cassatt's health. II
was In Europe when sensational deYeloI
ments In the Interstate Commerce con
mission investigation Of rebates brougt
him home. Deprived Of his rest abroaS