The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-16
Death of Major Fitzgerald u.


We some days ago announced the death
of our former townsman, Major Fitzgerald,
and we are permitted by friend to make
the following extracts from letter, giving
the particulars of his death and burial
Los Angeles, CAL, Jan. ID, 1860.
Major Fitzgerald died at 8 o'clock P M.
on the 9th instant, and was buried in the
Catholic Cemetery, at that place on Thurs
day the 18th instant. His remains were es-
corted to the church and to the grave with
great honor, the population turning out en-
",asse, and all the places of business being
closed during the passage of the funeral cor
deceased was stationed here some years ago.
He then became known to the citizens and
established among them great respect fer
his character. Indeed, gratitude in the
breast of some, for past services, was anoth.
er bond that brought out the population to
honor his remains. at one time when the
espectable citizens and the courts of Justice
their sessions, were menaced and braved
| by band OF outlaws who ruled the town
and country without resistance, Major Fitx.
| gerald was called upon with his troops to
protect the citizens and sustain the law. He
did both, and it was believed, actually saved
| the town from assault and sack. The chief
| of the outlaws afterwards attempted to in
| timidate him, but so signally failed that be
| was no longer feared.
| Our poor friend died in peace, and did not
| apparently suffer much pain. His physician
| DIR. j. s. Griffin, informed me til at he was
| conscious, land conversed with him two hours
| before his death. The "Sisters' in the hos.
pital attended him to the last, and to his fu-
neral He had their warmest sympathy and
their unhagging attentions. DR. Griffin was
an old friend OF his, and felt for him the
strongest ties of friendship.
A squadron of LIST Dragons, commanded
by Captain j W Davidson, LIST Dragons, an
old friend of the deceased, came from Fort
Lyons, distance of los miles, through snow
part of the way, in order to be present at
the funeral and to give military honor to his
remains. The command was ordered here
for the purpose by Lieut. Cobb l. Beal, LIST
Dragons, commanding that Regiment.
| 1t was known some time before his death
that it was approaching. This enabled me to
take such steps that the information reached
| Col Beall in ten hours thereafter. The dra-
| goons arrived here the evening previous to
| the funeral.
Major Fitzgerald knew that he was diving
some time before the event occurred, and
spoke of his approaching end without fear
or hesitation. He bade his friends an affec
tionate fare well, and made such memorable
as would, he thought, cause his wishes to be
carried out.
I be deceased had received the last rites of
the church preparatory to.his death. His
remains were buried by the Catholic church
being escorted to the grave by the military.
Major Fitzgerald was of the fraternity of
Masons-the church would not permit that
that society should take part in the funeral
sequies, as fraternity. This information
was conveyed by me, at the request of the
deceased, to those of that order having iuris-
diction here. That only prevented their ap.
pearance with their insignia As it was they
appeared as citizens in the funeral process
sion.
Captain Geenwell, of the U. s. Coast Sur
| vey, was present as mourner, aud the off
| GERS not on duty with the escort, and ten
| old soldiers who had long served with the
| deceased:
| served in the sixth Infantry with the
Major from 1874 until lS4S, and knew hi II
well. 1t was pleasing Office therefore to
nae to act the friends part to him here before
his death, and to see afterwards that all due
| honor was paid to his remains