Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1904 — HENRY C. PAYNE DEAD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HENRY C. PAYNE DEAD

POBTMASTER GENERAL EXPIREB AFTER BRAVE FIGHT, Wisconsin Man Has Lons Been Leader in Politics—Was Born in Massachusetts in 1843 and Came of Btnrdy Puritan Stock.

After -an illness of less than one week Henry 0. Payue, Postmaster General of the United States, died at

at 6:10 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in his apartment* at the Arlington Hotel, Washington. Tfhe end was peaceful. Within ten minutes a bulletin was issued, signed Iby Dr. P. M. Rixey, Dr. G. Lloyd Magruder and Dr. C. T. Grayson. It read: “Tife „ Postmaster General died at

6:10 p. m. He died peacefully, without a struggle. Cause of death, disease of mitral valve and dilatation of the heart.” At the bedside when the end came were Mrs. Payne, Rev. Dr. Dunlap of town, N. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Winfield St John’s Episcopal Church, Major and Mrs. W. S. Cameron of Jamestown, N. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Cameron of Milwaukee; Charles L. and Miss Louise Jones, relatives; Private Secretary Whitney, Miss Marie Barbiere, and Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Mason of Washington, old-time friends of Mrs. Payne, and the aged negro messenger of the department of the Postmaster General. President Roosevelt was the last official caller at the Payne apartments. He was preceded a few moments by Secretary of State Hay. Neither entered the sick room, and the President scarcely had left the hotel when Mr. Payne breathed his last. Funeral services were announced for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, to be followed by further obsequies Sunday in All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, aud interment in Forest Home Cemetery. The Postmaster General was stricken with heart failure, shortly after his return from a trip on which it was believed he had recovered his strength, undermined by overwork. The ensuing days witnessed a brave fight for life, in which several times the end was thought imminent. George Bruce Cortelyou, chairman of the Republican National Committee, it is believed, will be appointed to fill the vacancy as soon as he can be spared from work in the campaign. For more than two decades Mr. Payne had been a conspicuous character in State and national politics. In business as well as in politics he always maintained the confidence and trust of men dealing with large affairs. He was born in Ashfield, Mass., Nov. 23, 1843, and received a home training calculated to develop habits of industry and to fit him for a life of usefulness. His ancestors were Puritans, his father haring been the desceu4a»t of an Englishman who “ settled in Braintree, Mass., in 1630. Young Payne was educated in the Shelburne Falls Academy, graduating in 1859. lie removed to Milwaukee iu 1863, and for four years was a clerk in a dry goods store. He speedily forged to the front, however, possessing a surplus energy that enabled him to take a leading part in public movements. In 1867 lie married Lydia W. Yan Dyke, aud that event he always considered as the date from which he reckoned his rise to fame and prosperity. In 1872 he first became noted in politics. Almost Instantly he sprang Into prominence, being selected as the representative of Wisconsin on the Republican National Committee. Then sos ten years he was postmaster in Milwaukee, retiring in 1886. The political success of Mr. Payne is considered to have beeu remarkable. He knew intimately men ai\d conditions, and he was always pacific in his methods. The rank and file were taken into his confidence, and apparently he never forgot that party interests should always be above individual Interests. It is said of him that when difficulties arose he disarmed personal opposition by tolerance and overcame difficulties by tactful concessions. He was assertive, but rarely dogmatic, and few men possessed greater ability to make and retain friends. In his private life Mr. Payne was liberal in his charities, broad In his Interest In public affairs and civic progress, and generous in his sympathies. Ills kindly nature was proverbial. This was shown especially Iu his treatment of his invalid wife. Since Mr. Payne’s appointment as Tostmaster General, on Jan. 8, 1902, he had become. If that were possible, a more busy man than he had previously been. But he dearly loved to play wlilst, and often engaged old friends In his favorite pastime. He was a communicant of the Eplscopnl Church, to which he was deeply attached and to which he was a lll>orn! but unostentatious contributor. He leaves no children. »

H. C. PAYNE.