Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-12-23
BELG|UN'S king
HAS PASSED away
Death Unexpected by tho Physicians
in Attendance.
THOUGHT TO BE RECOVERING
There 10 no Direct Heir and Crown
VIII Pass to His Brothers
Son Prince
Albert.

Brussels, Dec. liking Leopold
died at 1885 o'clock this morning. The
collapse came suddenly and at
moment when the doctors seemingly
had the greatest hopes for his re
covery.
Throughout yesterday bulletins Is
sued from the sickroom indicated pro
gressive improvement. The bulletin
posted at $3.50 O'Clock gave the kings
temperature, pulse and respiration as
practically normal. Apparently the
drainage of the wound was perfect, as
no fever was present during the day;
the king had been able to take nour'
ishment.
The public at large was satisfied the
king was on the road to recovery, but
within the pavilion, where the king lay.
there was feeling of anxiety, chiefly
because Of Leopold's great age. After
restful day the patient was able to
sleep for a brief period early in the
night, and the night passed quietly.
But toward 2 o'clock alarming symp'
toms appeared. Suddenly the king
turned and. called to DR.. Thiriar;
"J'etouffe, docteur, j'etouffs" choke
doctor, choke.
DR.. DePage was summoned and the
two physicians did everything possible
to prolong life, but without avail. The
end came quickly and peacefully.
Baron Coffinet, the kings secretary
started Immediately for Brussels to
notify the members of the royal fam.
lily. As he was entering his motor car.
he exclaimed: ITO think that only
yesterday we were full Of confidence,
and now the king is dead"
1t appears that the doctors were al
together unprepared fer a fatal termi'
nation. A nun, acting as nurse. first
noticed the heavy breathing of the
king. She called DR.. Thirier to the
bedside. Both DR.. Thirier and DR..
DePage resorted to injections Of NOR
phine, but these had no effect.
Soon after the end had come the
ministers were notified. The first
official to arrive at the death chamber
was the royal chaplain. The ministers
remained in the chamber for a CON
siderable time, discussing in subdued
tones the death and matters Of state.
The kings GOODNESS and courage in
his illness won the admiration Of all,
for at no time did he seem to fear the
result. When Cofflnet emerged from
the high walls Of the gardens his pale
face startled the newspaper CORE.
spondents who were huddled together
outside. He paused for moment and
said solemnly:
THE king is dead"
Leopold II was the son Of the late
King Leopold /, upon whose death, in
1866, he succeeded to the throne. He
was born in Brussels, April 8, 1887.
His father was the former Prince Of
Saxe-C oburg-Gotha and his mother,
Princess Louise, was daughter Of
King Louis Philippe of France.
August %, 1853, King Leopold mar
ried Archduchess Marie Henrietta,
daughter of. Archduke Joseph of Aus.
tria. She died September 10, 1902.
There were three daughters born Of
this union-Loulse. Stephanie and
! Clementine. The two older prlncesses
have been estranged from their father,
but Clementine remained in his affec.
lions.
There is no direct hereditary heir,
hence the crown will pass to Prince
Albert, the only son Of Leopold's broth
er, the late Philippe, Count Of Fland.
ers. The new monarch was born
April 8, 1875, and October 2, 1900, he
married Elizabeth Of Bavaria. They
have three children-Prince Leopold,
s years old; Prince Charles, years
old, and Princess Marie Jose, years