Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-29
CASSAT IS DEAD.
President Of The Pennsv|-
vania Passes Away
Suddenly Friday at His Home
in Philadelphia.
Heart Disease Is Given as Cause Of
Sudden Taking Off.

|
| Philadelphia, Dec. 2S.-hleXandcr
Johnston Cassatt, president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, ana one Of the
| foremost railroad men ana financiers in
the country, died suddenly at his resi-
dencc in this city today. Mr.. Cassatt
who was a little more than u years of
age, was stricken with heart disease
| shortly before / o'clock and died be-
fore assistance could be given him. He
was /; victim of acute heart attacks
known professionally as 1.-The Stokes
ADMINISTRATIONS"
/ Though Mr. Cassatt's death was en-
tircly unexpected, he had been in i'll
| health for nearly 4 year. His condition
was aggravated by an attack OF WhoOp-
ing cough, which he contracted from
| his grandchildren while at Bar Harbor
| in September. H. never entirely re~ov-
| cred from tie effects Of this and when
he returned to Philadelphia, lie remained
| for several weeks at his country home
IL Havcrford before he resumed his du-
| ties in connection with the manage
ment Ct the railroad and its allied in
| tercstS.
| He was much improved by the rest
ana early in October H. began going
= regularly to his Office. but shortly af-
tcrWaTd he was again stricken, having
contracted 4 heavy cold At that time
it WAS denied that his condition was
serious and there Was 10 intimation
that he was suffering from any heart
affection.
During NoVcinbor he was sufficiently
recovered from his illness to Resume
his visits to Broad street station ANA
he continued attending to important
matters Until his birthday, Dec. s. on
hat day he WAS 81 years Of age and Gel
eDrated the event with mis- family. He
never returned to the railroad Office.
Again il was rcIn rtod that he was III
Il serious condition. but il was d@niel
ana X was stated that he was suffering
.r,ln Il Slight cold and was giving AZ
tcltipn IL only such important business
matt: IL a.. we're brought t. his "tirn-
ton.
Nj. C;:seltt spont much Of his tim"
driving and he VAS nlit as !;!t" as last
Mont.a:.. SubseGu' ItiT +" W"S known
t. have been confined to tn" bed at his
residences. No. 902 Yves: Rittcnhpuse
s,tuare. but even tncn his condition was
not regarded as alarming. While not
feeling entirely well, Mr.. Cassatt arose
from his bed this morning. but re
NAMED in his room. He seemed to b"
ii good spirits. and his family had no
thought Of his death. Shortly before
o'clock, while sitting in Il chair i'll his
apartnl1rts, he suffered an acute heart
L.
wife and his daughter. Mrs. Plumkctt
Stewart, We're with him and his private
rbvsician arrived DR.. Musser said that
death had been almost Instantaneous.
The news Of Mr.. Cassatt'S death was at
once tclcphOncd to broad street station
ana WIS flashed through the flnancial
and business sections Of the city. cauS-
ing much establishment. since the pub
lie ard even his close business ASSOC
ciates were given to understand that
he was not seriously i'll.
The announcement Of Mr.. 'aSsatts
death caused grief to every Official an"
emr,love in the Pennsylvania Railroad
offices with whom he was most l'"pu-
lar. The effect Of his death upon IN" To-
cal stock market was not as great as
might have been expected. Ptnh5ElFa-
MIA was quoted at 1854 when the news
y,e received and the stock dropped on
" >, on the report.
Tho death caused q great shock ~
thc executive offices Of The Pennsylva-
ia Railroad and for a time business
,vac practically suspended. His condl-
ton had not been thought such as l"
c,,oocst any definite arrangements Tor
the succession to the presidency ana
| the heard of directors Will not meet
70 transact official business until AFTER
| the funeral for which arrangements
have not vet been announced
Some months ago Mr.. Clsaatt made
| changes in the org; niZation Of the com
pauy which put new duties on some OF
| the higher officials. Among tines" was
Sanucl Rea, the third vice president.
ana il vas suggested at the time tEa'
the act was equivalent to placing Mir.
Rca in line for promotion, but there Is
no official authority 20 sustain such ah
inference. and pending the election of .
successor, First Vice President Green
will assume charge of the affairs oil
the railroad company.
The oncration of the railroad in the
last year Is Sdlu 10 IldNt Ils'd mum ~
do with the breaking Of Mr. Cassatt's
ncalth He had just gone to Europe Tor
q rest when the sensational develops
l:lcnts in the Interstate Commerce
Commission investigation Of rebates
brought him home and he then plunged
INTO the breach and tried to bring about
settiementof the question at issue.
Aside from being the head of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, Mr.. Cassatt
was president OF six other companies
and Il director in % concerns. principal
ly transportation companies, banks and
trust companies.
His wealth is estimated at between
so, 900 600 and $4,000, 600.