Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-17

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and two physicians did everything
possible to prolong life, but without
avail. The end cine quickly and after
spell of weakness, peacefully. Prince
Albert arrived at the death bed about
25 minutes later. He was accompanied
by Princess Clementine. Albert kissed
the dead King and left the chamber
weeping. Baron Goffinet, the Kings
secretary, started Immediately for
Brussels to notify the members of the
royal family. AS he was entering his
motor car he exclaimed '"To think
that only yesterday We We're still full of
confidence and now the King is dead"
1t appears that the doctors were to-
tally unprepared for such a fatal ter
nlination. 1t was a nun acting as nurse
who first noticed the heavy breathing
OF the King. She called DR.. Thiriar to
the bedside. Both Drs. Thiriar and De-
page resorted to injection Of morphine
but these had no effect
Shortly after the end had come the
ministers were notified, the first Off
cial to arrive in the death chamber be-
ing the royal chaplain. The ministers
remained in the chamber for a consid-
cradle time, discussing the sudden
death and matters of state in subdued
tones.
The Kings GOODNESS and courage
during the heroic struggle won the adj
miration of all, for at no time did he
no
is dead it is believed that he was able
to survive so long by the sheer force
of his mentality.
Within Gofinet emerged from the high
walls of the royal gardens his pale
face startled the newspaper corre-
spondents who We're huddled together
outside He paused for moment and
said solemnly:
1.-The King is dead"
The Kings death it was announced
by DR.. Depage, was due to embolism,
a small blood clot probably being car
ried to the heart.
Leopold II, King of the Belgians,
son of the late King Leopold I, upon
whose death, which occurred Dec. ~
1865, he succeeded to the throne, was
born at Brussels April 3, 1888. his
father was the former Prince OF SAKE
Coburg- Gotha and his mother Princess
Louise. daughter of King Louis Phil
lippe of France. On Aug. %, 1858, he
married the Archduchess Marie Hen
riett. daughter Of Archduke Joseph of
Austria. She died Sept. 10, 1902. Three
daughters were born of this union,
Louise Stephane and Clementine. The
two elder princesses have been
estranged from their father, but Glenn
entine remained in his affections.
There being no direct heir the crown
passes to Prince Albert, the only son
of Leopolds brother, the late Philippe.
Count of Flanders. The new monarch
was born April 8, 1875, and on Oct. 2.
1900, married Princess Elizabeth of
Bavaria. They have three children,
Prince Leopold, eight years of age,
Prince Charles, six years old and
Princess Marie Jose, who was born
Aug. 4, 1906.
Prince Albert is one of the most
popular members of the reigning house
of Belgium. His wife is equally popu-
lar, their home life being such as to
attract the admiration and love of the
people. Prince Albert has travelled eX-
tensively and is a man of affairs. In
appearance he is strikingly like the
late King, but their dispositions and
temperaments have always been in
marked contrast Prince Albert has
been great student of politics and
economies and has frequently lectured
on these subjects in public. To broad
l., IL
he visited the United States and other
countries. always studying and al
ways adding to his store OF knowledge
and philosophy.
There is another side to the new King
which appeals to popular fancy. He
dearly loves clean and healthy sports.
He is an accomplished horseman, en-
joys motoring and has taken a flight
or two in a dirigible balloon. In his
intercourse with others he is most gra-
cious. His frank, good natured face be-
speaks intelligence and invites conf
dence. Democratic in his tastes and
| manners, he is. nevertheless, a man of
firm decision and kingly dignity.
While always conspicuous before the
public on account of the nature of his
private life, particularly in recent
years. King Leopold latterly had much
of the world against him on account OF
his attitude towards the Congo indie
pendent State His greatest interest
lay in the development of that country,
for he was practically the founder OF
it and was it's ruling sovereign. The
Congo Free State in western Africa
wac racopniZed and defined nv the con
ference of European powers at Berlin
in 1885. 1t was the successor of the In
ternational African Association, estab-
lished by Leopold and organized by
Stanley. In that year Leopold was con-
stituted it's ruler. By will, dated Aug
| 2, 1889, he bequeathed to Belgium the
right to annex the Congo State after a
period of 10 years. The conduct of the
government of that state resulted in a
fierce dispute of worldwide dimen-