The Death of Rutherford B. Hayes

On January 17, 1893, Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth President of the United States, died of a heart attack. As president, Hayes' held strong views on civil service reform which he fully supported. He also set down a policy that a canal in Central America could only be under American control as the French were attempting to create one during his administration. This would eventually lead to the development of the Panama Canal.