People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1893 — THE END COMES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE END COMES.

James G. Blaine Succumbs to the Great Destroyer—His Death Occurs at Washington—President Harrison Issues a Proclamation Expressive of the Nation’s Grief. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28.— James G. Blaine is dead. The end came shortly before 11 a. m. Friday. It was preceded by a sudden relapse. Death came peacefully. As the end drew near the members of the family drew around the bedside and there they staid until all was over. Drs. Hyatt and Johnston came out of the red house a few minutes after the death and gave the news to the death watch. To a correspondent Dr. Hyatt said: "The end was peaceful as any I have seen. We thought at 9:30 that he sould not live through the day. He had at that time suffered the relapse and although we administered the most powerful restoratives they failed to produce the slightest appreciable effect. On the contrary, he continued to sink; but as the end approached his old-time clearness of mind came back and his mental strength seemed to increase. At the same time he did not speak. The members of the family were all summoned and gathering around the bed watched with anxious eyes for some signs of revival. We continued to apply the restorative remedies, but they had no more effect than water. He seemed conscious of his condition, but he did not speak. I doubt if he could speak. At half past 10 it was plain to see that he had but a few minutes longer to live. We could do nothing more. And as he showed no signs of pain we merely watched and waited. His eye grew brighter and it seemed at times as if he were about to speak. But his lips did not move. His breathing became fainter and fainter, and at just a minute or two before 11 he took one look around the room, peered into every face, closed his eyes and,without a cry of pain, or aught that would indicate he was doing more than falling into a peaceful sleep, he died.” At 11:25 President Harrison, accompanied by Private Secretary Halford and Dr. Parker, walked over to the

Blaine mansion. The president showed marked signs of grief. Postmaster General Wanamaker followed the footsteps of the president. The president has issued the following proclamation: EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 27,1893.—1t is my painful duty to announce to the public of the United States the death of James Gillespie Blaine, which occurred in this city to-day at 11 o’clock. For a full generation this eminent citizen has occupied a conspicuous and influential position in the nation. His first public service was in the legislature of his state Afterwards for fourteen years he was a member of the national house of representatives, and was three times chosen its speaker. In 1876 he was elected to the senate. He resigned his seat in that body in 1881 to accept the position of secretary of state in the cabinet of President Garfield. After tragic death of his chief, he resigned from the cabinet and devoted himself to literary work, gave to the public in his “Twenty Years of Congress” a most valuable and enduring contribution to our political literature. In March, 1889, he again became secretary of state, and continued to exercise this office until June, 1892. His devotion to the public interests, his marked ability and his exalted patriotism haye won for him the gratitude and affection of his countrymen and the admiration of the world. In the varied pursuits of legislation, diplomacy and literature his genius has added new luster to American citizenship. As a suitable expression of the national approbation of his great public services and of the general sorrow caused by his death, I direct that on the day of his funeral all the departments of the executive branch of the government at Washington be closed and that on all public buildings throughout the United States the national flag be displayed at half staff; and that for a period of thirty days the department of state be draped in mourning. BENJAMIN HARRISON. By the President: [BENJAMIN HARRISON] JOHN W. FOSTER, Secretary of State. The doctors authorize this announcement of the cause of death: “Chronic interstitial nephritis (a form of chronic Bright’s disease) due to, and associated with, general changes in the arteries of the body and with dilatation of the heart. This condition was complicated with disease of the lungs of a tubercular nature. The immediate cause of his death was connected with the heart.” The following additional statement was given out Friday night: ‘‘The beginning of Mr. Blaine’s illness dates back some years. The earliest signs of ill health were associated with and no doubt due to a gouty tendency, which manifested itself in subacute attacks of gout, disturbances of digestion, and progressive innutrition and anaemia. “Subsequent events prove that at this time changes were going on in the arteries of the body which resulted later in symptoms of obliteration of vessels and chronic disease of the kidneys. “In December signs of lung complication appeared which were no doubt connected with the general disease, but as tuber bacilli were found in the sputa it is probable that there was some tubercular infection as wall. Much of the distress which Mr. Blaine suffered was associated with this disease of the lungs and his death was certainly hastened by it. For three days before Mr. Blaine’s death there was no marked change in his condition, and on the night before his death he did not seem to be in any immediate danger. Towards the morning of the 27th his pulse was observed to be very feeble and his breathing became much embarrassed. As a result of the heart failing action oedema of the lungs occurred, and he died without much suffering at 11 o’clock. "Drs. Janeway and Loomis, of New York, were called in consultation and rendered important service by their advice. “WILLIAM JOHNSTON, M. D. “FRANK HYATT, M. D.”

JAMES G. BLAINE.