Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-12-20

ing to London-continued At His
Post, Despite Illness, Until Thurs
day-Long Been Before the Public.
LONDON, Dec. 16.--Whitelaw Reid
the American Ambassador to Gerat
Britain sine 1905, died at his London
residence, Dorchester House, shortly
after noon Sunday, from pulmonary
sedema. The end was quite peaceful
Mrs. Reid and their daughter Mrs.
John Hubert Ward, were at the bed
side.
The Ambassador had been uncon-
scious since 8 o'clock i'll the morning.
and at intervals during the previous
"a hours he had been slightly delir
ious as a result of the drugs admins
tered to him to induce sleep.
Sir Thmoas Barlow, physician to
the King, who was called in last
week when Mr.. Reds illness became
acute and his regular physician, Dr.
William Hale White, issued the fol
lowing bulletin as to the cause of
death:
"a fortnight ago the American
Ambassador had a slight bronchial at
tack, similar to others from which he
had suffered at considerable inter
walls. On Wednesday last asthma SUI
pervened and the asthmatic paroxy-
SINS became very severe, leading to
extreme exhaustion. 1t was hoped
that he might rally. as no pneumonia
symptoms had appeared. With din.
Guilty the paroxysms of asthma We're
got under control, but Sunday morn
ing the exhaustion became extreme,
and he died from pulmonary sedema
at 1910 p. M"
Royalty's Condolences Prompt.
The Honorable John Hubert Ward
who with his wife had been at Dor
chester House continually since the
Ambassadors condition became ser
ious, Notified the staff of the Embas sy
when the patient began to sink, and
when death came he sent word to the
King and Queen at Buckingham Pal
ace, the Queen-Mother Alexandra at
Sandringham, and the officials at
court.
Almost Immediately the King sent
his oquerry, Sir Harry Legge, to ex-
press the coincidence of himself and
the Queen. During the afternoon mes
sages conveying the warmest SYM
patty were received from the Queen
Mother Alexandra and other mem
bers of the Government and of the
various Embassies and Legations,
while many who Had learned of the
news of the Ambassadors death or
who had seen the flags at half-mast
on Dorchester House, rallied at the
Embassy.
A wireless message was also sent
to Ogden Reid, son of the Ambassa-
dor, who left New York yesterday in
the hope of reaching his fathers bed
side before death.
King Offers Royal Chapel.
II has been stated that King George
who telegraphed his condolences to
Mrs. Reid early in the afternoon, in.
timated that the chapel Royal at St
posal of the family for the service,
but in view of the late Ambassadors
exceptionally wide circle of friends
and of the position he held in London
the chapel Royal would be made.
quate, it is thought, for such cere-
monial.
Coincidence to Widow.
To Mrs. Reid the President rabled
Mrs. Taft and / extend to you our
deepest sympathy in your great sor-
row. This country has lost a most
able and loyal public servant. Mr.
Reid's death ends one of the most
notable of the careers of the great
men who have represented this Ba-
ton in London.
lie has exercised a personal in
fiuence that was exceptional in main
tanning the close friendship of the
two countries, and he has been sue
cessful ma remarkable degree in the
two very heavy branches of his duty
the one of pure diplomacy, and the
other the Offering to the thousands of
Americans, who have frequented Lon.
den during his ineumbency, friend.
ly hospitality that made all of them
feel at home.
We hope that the thought of the
great name he leaves will in time miti
gate your grief.
Sketch Of His Life.
For the past two years Mr. Reid
had suffered serious attacks of inau.
enza, ali Of which, it was said had uI,
dermined his health. His last attack
f1'om this source came on December
.. and Immediately after he was plac-
ed in bed in his London home.
lie had made no public appearance
since. His illness caused a postpon.
ment OF a reception he had planned
To giye at his country house at Wrest
Park, Silsoe. Bedfordshire, one OF the
most beautiful estates Of England for
which ne paid almost $4,000 year
rent, in honor of Prince and Princess
Alexander of Teck