Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-09
KING OSCAR OF SWEDEN
PASSES away ON SUNDAY.
Long Known as the Ab|est Ruler Of the 18th
Century, ..SuCCeeded by Prince Custae Who
Takes the Title Of King Custave Y.

Stockholm, Dec. Oscar, II, king
of Sweden, died at 90 o'clock this
morning in the royal apartment of the
palace. There. surrounded by the men-
berS Of his family. including the aged
Queen Sophia and the crown prince.
Oscar GuStaVe. and high ministers of
state the inevitable end had been await
ed. Outside the palace great crowds
stood with bowed heads and fearful
eyes, long after the announcement OF
the death OF their Well-loyrd sovereign.
The whole country is bowed with frlef.
for King Oscar was something mare
than q ruler Of his people and had en-
daared himself to the mass as an init
mate and personal friend. When the flag
on the palace was lowered to haif-mast
there was moan Of anguish from the
multitude. and many of them cried:
Our dear old king is dead The death
certificate was worded as follows:
I'VE declare upon oath that His
Majesty. King Oscar II expired peace
fully at go o'clock this morning in the
castle at Stockholm ut the age of IS
wears, 3 months and Il days, as tie
result Of Qualification of the cerebral
and cardiac blood vessels.
(Signed BERG,
"EDGREN,
"FLENSDCRG."
Tho succession to the throne of Swed-
en-, now passes to Oscar Gustave
AGolrhe duke Of Vermland, the oldt st
son Of the late king. AT meeting OF
the council of state this afternoon, the
new King took the oath of allegiance
under the title of Gustave Y and adopt
ed the motto with the people, for
the fatherland."
The princess then took the oath of
allegiance and the new monarch accept
ed tho. homage of the state officials.
The last hours OF the expiring mon
arch were passed in Inconsistencies
and III to the end he gave no sign Of
recognizing those about him. me
Ouner was grief stricken because he
could not bid her>farewell. All yester-
day the King remained in comatose
condition at times there were FAINT
signs Of conscious perception as
attending physicians hcous t some
Temporary relief to the patient SUI
| ferer.
But their administrations We're with
out avail and they held out no hope
| last night beyond a promise 10 Keep
| the spark of life burning for yet few
hours. Believing that death would not
| occur until morning the members OF
| the roval family and the cabinet mini
| listers withdrew and the physicians left
their patient in the hands of the
nurses soon after midnight
Within an hour or two the doctors
were called again to the sick room ana
administered further stimulants. but
at SIS the gentlemen of the King :
court were aroused and ordered to ap-
near in the bed chamber. The premier
| and the foreign minister and The high
est court officials together With all the
members of the Kings FAMILY as
semblcd there and remained at his side
| until the end came.
In the palace court yard in the din'
cold gray mist of the morning stood i
crowd of schoolboys. King Oscar
devoted friends. Here they had stood
for hours. blue and shivering. watch
ing the palace Flagstaff. There aiSC
gathered many old men and women
such as the King had always stopped
to comfort with mild words and gen
erous aims when he met them IN tht
parks or streets. the faces tear-Stainet
because their beloved King and benc'
factor was dying.
Suddenly the flag dropped to hal
mast and a wall Of misery and sorrow
rose The country folks clasped thei
hands and prayed and wept aloud ant
the schoolboys' lamentings were pitifu
. to hear.
In a room near the death chamber
the first marshal of the court read t.
the cabinet a draft Of the new king
proclamation TO the Swedish people
one by one the ships in the harbor am
the buildings throughout the city dis
played the flag at half mast and tn
reopIe soon crowded the streets AM
open places near the palace. but al
spoke in whispers. bearing witness I
the kindness of him who had departs,
I and to the love they bore him.
In the death chamber l;nelt the heart
l broken Queen. and gathered about he
her children. grandchildren and great
grandchildren, praying for strength t
bear their great affiiction. The Churc
bells began to toll, and the minute gun
I doomed All Sweden mourned its grta
/ loss
At o'clock in the afternoon King Gus
tave v took the oath of Office before tn
cabinet and court assembled in the gran
gallery The oath was administered b
Minister Lindman. Then the princes {
the blood swore allegiance to the KIM
who embraced and kissed them. glVln
his favorite brother. the 81 mt Carl,
hearty slap on the back.
This ceremony being concluded. II
cabinet resigned, but the King beggt
1 the ministers to remain at their posts ar
assist him as they had so ably assist'
his father. They acceded TO his re1ue
u nnd tnni, the nath Of office.