Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-09

Stockholm, Dec. Oscar II, king Of
Sweden, died at $40 o'clock yesterday
morning. The death of the venerable
monarch occurred in the royal apart
ments Of the palace, where surround
ed by members OF his family, including
the aged Queen Sophia and the crown
prince, Oscar Gustav and nigh minis
ters Of state, the inevitable end had
been awaited, while outside the palace
great crowds stood with bowed heads
and fearful eyes long after the an
nouncement came of the death Of their
well beloved sovereign.
The whole country is bowed with
grief for King Oscar was something
more than ruler of his people and
had endeared himself to them as an
intimate and personal friend. When the
flag on the palace was dipped toshalf
mast there was a moan of anguish
from the assembled multitude and
many Of them cried 'our dear old king
lis dead"
In room near the death chamber,
the first marshal Of the court read to
the cabinet draft of the new kings
proclamation to the Swedish people. In
an ante chamber high officials and
officers discussed the probable policy
Of the new king. One by one the ships
in the harbor and the build.Ass thru
out the city displayed the flag at half
mast and the people soon crowded the
streets and open places near the pal,
ace, but all spoke in whispers, bear
ing witness to the kindness of him
who had departed and to the love they
bore for him.
The succession to the throne of
Sweden now passes to Oscar Gustav
Adolphe, duke of Vermland, the Oldest
son of the late king. At a meeting of
the council of state this afternoon the
new king took the oath Of allegience
under the title Of Gustav v. and
adopted the motto, with the people
for the fatherland." The princes then
took the oath of allegiance and the
new monarch accepted the homage of
the state 'officials.
The last hours of the expiring mon
arch were passed in Inconsistencies,
and up to the end he gave no sign of
recognizing those about him. The
queen was grief stricken because he
could not bid her farewell. All thru
yesterday the king had remained in
q comatose condition. At times there
were faint signs of conscious percep-
tions as the attending physicians
brought some temporary relief to the
patient sufferer.
Gustave v. has published a proc
Iamation addressed to the admins
trative and ecclesiastical authorities,
informing them of his accession to the
throne and further proclamation adj
dressed to the people of Sweden in
which he refers in eulogistic terms
to their late sovereign. The procla-
nation refers briefly to the material
progress Of Sweden under Oscars
reign.
King Oscar had been in failing
health for several years and frequent
ly was unable to perform his duties.
When, therefore, it was announced on
Wednesday last that the crown prince
again had been appointed regent it did
not cause great uneasiness especially
as the report of the physicians who
were in attendance on the king inti-
mated that altho his strength was
decreased on account of lack
store the king to health was COM
plete rest for a time. The kings at |
tendants resorted to heroic measures |
in order to relieve him. The efforts |
met with some measure of success, but |
each recurring attack left the king
weaker and on Friday night he lapsed |
into unconsciousness at intervals. The
abandoned hope and devot
ed their efforts from that time on to
prolonging life by artificial means.
On Saturday the members of his
family arrived and there was a brief
period of consciousness and the king |
to recognize them as each
came to the bedside. The chief ec-
clesiastic of the Swedish church was
also summoned and he administered
the last sacrament.
Poet Kings Reign Notable.
Oscar II ruled the destinies of Sweden
and Norway from 1872 until 1905 and
Sweden alone from the latter year to
the day of his abdication, early in
December 1907. He was king for
thirty five years.
Oscar Berandotte was more than a
king. He was scholar. poet.
historian, a scientist, and
In orator. He was probably the most