New-York tribune., 1908-10-31
MRS. WILLIAM ASTOR
DIES AT HOME HERE
HER END VAS PEACEFUL;
RELATIVES BY HER.
Leader Of Society Sinks Under Old
Heart affection, Not Regain
ing Consciousness.

Mrs. William Astor. for thirtyodd years the
acknowledged leader of society in this country.
died last night at her home, No. S42 Fifth ave-
nue.. Though she had been i'll for some time
her death a shock, for few even If her
most intimate friends knew of her serious con-
dition until they read the bulletin issued on
Thursday by DR.. Austin Flint jr.. in which he
said that Mrs. Astor had suffered another at
tack of heart affection of which she has been
a victim for several years. Even then they did
not expect her death, for DR.. Flint gave en-
Coura cement in his bulletin when he salo mat
Mrs Astor resting quietly.
Though heart stimuants used. Mrs. AS
tor dropped into sinking condition early in the
day and never rallied again death coming at
7:3O o'clock last evening.
Besides DR. Flint there were in attendance on
Mrs. Astor DR.. John s. Billings, ir. of No. 81
East 53d street: Dr. J. F. Nagel, of No. 90 West
51st street and several nurses All through the
day oxygen was administered but Mrs. Astors
heart failed to respond to the treatment. The
doctors said that Mrs. Astor was unconscious
at the end and that her death was peacefu!
At the bedside when death came were Mrs
NJ. Orme Wilson. her oldest daughter VINO mas
been in closest attendance on her mother ever
since her condition became serious, more thah
a month ago, and her son. Colonel John Jacoo
Astor 1vhoes home adjoins that of his mother.
ing to her relatives in Newport and England.
Mrs. George Ogvie Haig, Mrs Astor's third
daughter is on the BIucher which is due here
on Monday Wireless reports regarding her
mothers condition were sent to her on Thurs
dav. and last night she informed OF her
mothers death.
Before her marriage to William Astor, son Of
William Backhouse Astor nearly sixty years
ago Mrs. Astor Miss Caroline Webster
schermerhorn. youngest daughter Of Abraham
SchermerhOrn Because Of her advanced age
and her serious illness in Boston in September,
1906. grave doubts were entertained for her re-
coverv Two wears ago it was said that she
troubled with a. heart affection. That fall Mrs.
Astor went abroad and consulted some Of the
greatest foreign specialists.
When Mrs. Astor returned to America her
health failed rapidly and she dropped the active
leadership Of society. Though she had been &C
customed to entertain IavishIy each summer at
her villa. Beechwood, at Newport she was
forced TO abandon her hosptalities in the sum-
mer of 1907. Mrs Astor brought To her
Fifth avenue home and occasionally she vas
seen driving in the a. anue, but always with an
attendant She lived in comparative secluson.
During this time Or. Flint, who became her
physician before her first serious illness. had
Mrs Astor under closest surveillance and di-
rected all her movements.
After the summer Of 1907 Mrs Astor's name
seldom appeared in print, and although formerly
she had entertained every stranger -Of mark who
visited these shores. from that time On it was
impossible for her to extend her former hospi-
talities
An interview with Mrs Astor is published in
a periodical issued this month in which she gave
her views of society. In this article she said
she could speak with authority for she had
known the young people of to-day ever since
they were children. Il am not vain enough to
think New York will not be able to get along
without me" Mrs. Astor was quoted as saying.
evidently believing that her end was not far of.
Many friends called at the Astor home last
night after Mrs. hstor's death became known,
but no one was admitted. kilograms and cable
messages of coincidence began to pour in few
hours after her death was made public. No
arrangements for the funeral have yet been
made.
For an account Of Astor's life see page :.