The San Francisco call., 1906-12-29

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2S.-Alexander
Johnston Cassatt, president of the
Pennsylvania Railway Company and
one of the foremost men and finan-
ciers in the country, died suddenly at
his residence in this city today of
heart disease, aged 81 years. He was
a victim of an attack known pro-
fessionally as the "Stokes-Adams
syncope."
Though death was unexpected, Cas-
satt had been in i'll health for nearly
year. His condition was aggravated by
an attack of whooping cough, which
he contracted from his grandchildren
while at Bar Harbor in September.
He never entirely recovered from this
attack, and when he returned to Phila-
delphia he remained for several weeks
al his country home in Haverford
He was much improved by the rest,
and early in October resumed going
regularly to his offices. Shortly after
ward he was again stricken, having
contracted 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. During November he was
sufficiently recovered to resume his
work and he continued attending to
important matters until his birthday,
December 8. Again 1T was reported
that he was seriously ill, but this was
denied
NO ALARM WAS FELT
Cassatt spent much of his time driv-
ing, and he was out as late as Monday.
subsequently he was known to have
been confined to bed, but even then his
condition was not considered as alarm
ing. While not feeling entirely we'll.
Cassatt arose from his bed this morn
ing, but remained in the room. He
appeared to be 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
an acute heart attack and became un-
conscious. His wife and his daughter,
Mrs. W. III. Lunkett Stewart were with
him and a physician was summoned,
but he was dead when the physician
arrived. The latter said that death had
been almost instantaneous.
The news of Cassatt's death was at
once telephoned to Broad-street station,
and was flashed to the financial and
business sections of the city. The eff
feet upon the local stock market was
not as great as might have been cx-
pected. Pennsylvania was quoted at
1891 when the news was received
and the stock dropped only q.
In the executive offices of the
was practically suspended. Cas-
salts condition had not been thought
such as to suggest any change in the
presidency. The board of directors
will not meet until after the funeral.
for which arrangements have not yet
been announced.
WORKED TOO HARD
Some months ago Cassatt made
changes in the organization of the COM
pany which put new duties on some of
the higher officials. Among these was
Samuel Rea, third vice president, and
1T was suggested at the time that the
act was equivalent to placing Rea in
line for promotion. Pending the cleo
tion of successor, First Vice Presi-
dent Green will assume charge of the
railroad company.
The operation of the railroad in the
last year is said to have had much to
do with the breaking of Cassatt's
health. He was in Europe when SEN
sational developments in the Inter-
state Commerce Commission investi-
cation of rebates brought him home.
Deprived Of his rest abroad, he plunged
into routine work until he went to Bar
Harbor.
Aside from being the head of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, Cassatt was
president of six other companies and
a director in twenty-three concerns,
principally transportation companies,
banks and trust companies. His wealth
is estimated at between $50, 600. 900 and
$75, ,000, 900.
NEW YORK. Dec. 2s-Alexander j.
Cassatt was born in Pittsburg in 1889,
and was educated in Germany and at
the Troy Polytechnic Institute. He
entered the service of the Pennsyl-
yania Railroad Company in 1861 as a
rodman. In 1867 he became superin-
tendent Of motive power and machin-
cry and in 1878 became general super
intendent Of the Pennsylvania system.
From this time his rise was rapid,