New-York tribune., 1906-12-29
A. J. CASSATT DEAD.
VTCTIlf OF HEART DISEASE
President of Pennsylvania Railroad
E.rpircS Suddenly.

Philadelphia Dec 2S-AleKander Johnston
ssssatt, president Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
company and one OF the foremost railroad men
end snanciers in the country. died suddenly at
tis home in this city to-day. Mr.. Cassatt. who
-ss little more than sixty-seven years old. was
stricken with heart disease shortly before l
o'clock and died before assistance could be given
bjrn. lie was victim Of acute heart attack
known professionally as the Stokes Adams
syndrome."
Though MI Cassat1's death was entirely unex-
rected, he had been in I'll health for nearly a
year. His condition was aggravated by an at
tack OF whooping cough. which he contracted
from HIS grandchildren while at Bar Harbor in
september. He never entirely recovered from
the effects Of the attack. and when he returned
- Philadelphia he remained for several weeks
~ his country home in Haverford before he re-
suned his duties IN connection with the man.
aEement Of the railroad and its allied interests
He was much improved by the rest and early
in October he began going regularly 30 his office
hut shortly sfterward he again stricken.
having contracted q heavy cold. At that time it
was denied that HIS condition was serious. and
there was no intimation that he was suffering
from any heart affection.
In November he was sufficiently recovered 10
resume his visits to the Broad Street Station,
and he continued attending TO important mat
iers until his birthday. December s. after which
hc never returned 10 his duties at the railroad
Offices. Again it was reported that he was in
serious condition. bu, this was denied. and it
was said that he suffering from slight
cold and giving attention Ia only such in-
portant business matters as were absolutely
necessary.
DEAD WHEN PHYSICIAN ARRIVED.
Mr Cassatt spent much Of his time driving.
and be was out as late as last Monday. Subse-
oaenly he was confined to bed at his home. at
No 202 West Rittenhouse Square. but even
-hea his condition not regarded alarm
ing While not feeling entirely well. Mr.. Cassatt
arose from his bed this morning. but remained
in his room. He seemed TO he in good spirits.
and his family was not alarmed about his con-
diton aud had 10 thought of his death. Short
~ before o'clock while sitting in a chair in his
apartments. he suffered an acute heart attack
end became unconscious. His wife and his
daughter Mrs. W. Plunkett Stewart. We're with
him. and his private physician. DR.. J. II. Musser.
was summoned. hut he was dead when the ply
sician arrived. DR.. NIusser said that death had
been almost instantaneous.
The news of Mr.. Cassatt's death was az once
telephoned 20 the Broad Street Station and vas
flashed through the financial ard business parts
a. the city. causing much astonishment. since
the public and even his closest business asso-
ciates understood that ne was not seriously III.
The announcement Of Mir. Cassatts death
caused grief 10 every Official and employe in the
Observation-Disclosures offices. with whom he was
most popular. The effect OF his death upon the
local stock market vas not as great might
have been expected. Pennsylvania was quoted
st 1884, when the news received, and
dropped only g ON the report:
In the executive Offices business was practi-
Cslly suspended for time. President Cassatts
rendition had not been thought such as 10 sug-
gest any definite arrangements for the success
sion 20 the presidency. and the board OF direc-
tors VIII not meet TO transact official business
until after the funeral. for which arrangements
have not yet been announced.
Some months ago Mr. Cassatt MADE changes
IN the organization of the company which put
new duties on some Of the higher officials
Among these was Samuel Rea, the third vice
president and 81 was suggested at the time that
the act was equivalent TO placing Mr.. Rea In
line for promotion, but there IS no official au-
thority 10 sustain such an inference and pend
snr tbe election Of a successor First Vice-Presi-
dent Green will assume charge OF the AFFAIRS or
the company.
The operation Of the railroad I'm the last year
IS said n have had much to do with the break
.ng Of Mr Cassatt's health. He had gone TO Eu-
rope Cor rest "neh tle seI'sati'iioi W
rneuts Ia the Interstate Commerce COMMISSION
Investigation Of rebates brought him nome, ana
Re threw himself into tne breach in an ehort 10
bring about an smicabe settlement OF the
questions AT issue Deprived Of his rest ABROAD
he plunged into routine work until ne went 10
Par Harhor. where in his overworked state he
contracted whooping cough
Aside from being the head Of the Pennsyi-
vania Railroad, Mr. Cassatt was president OF
six other companies and director in twenty
,hree concerns. principally transportation COM
psrjes hanks and trust companies His wealth
IS estima,ed az between $Jo.ooo"S and S'9'-
Ge00ea