National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-25

serious Illness Of MIR. " lillian A. Gordon.
Mr.. william A. Gordon, Of the Quartermaster
Generals ONCE, who for the past three weeks
has been sojourning at "Dcer Park" a beautiful
mountain retreat, about forty miles beyond
| Cumberland, Md, with the hope OF restoring
| his impaired health, returned to his residence,
| No. 9G Gay street, Georgetown, on Wednesday
night. in a condition Of great physical debility,
eleary indicating that the sands OF life were fast
running out, and that his dissolution might be
expected at any moment.
When Mr.. Gordon's serious illness became
known to his relatives and friends In this Dis.
trict Hon. A. Il. Shepherd at once requested
Major George $. Koontz, Of the Baltimore and
Ohio road, 10 place Pullman car at the service
| OF the respected invalid and one OF his sons,
who accompanied hun, which was promptly and
obligingly done, and when, on Wednesday night,
the tram reached q point At the intersection OF
X street, where carriage was IN waiting. the
car was detached, aud MI. Gordon, accompanied
| by his two sons and n few intimate personal
fiiends, was carefully removed 10 his residence,
as above stated, thus avoiding the noise and
confusion that always prevail at the depot on
Last evening, although somewhat easier, Mr..
Gordon was still very much prostgated, and no
hopes were entertained OF his recovery by Drs.
Tyler and Riley, the physicians IN attendance.
Ii Is not AZ all improbable, therefore, that be-
fore these lines are read this morning the suffer-
ing invalid Will have passed away 70 the spirit
land.
Mr. Gordon was born In Baltimore In 1903, and
Is consequently In his seventeen year. when
eighteen years OF age, having received liberal
education near Pltts6urg, Pa, he was appointed
from Maryland q cadet IN the Military Academy
at West Point After remaining there about
two years he came TO this city, and on the 20Ih
OF August, 1894, was appointed by Gen. Jessup
principal clerk OF the QuaItcfmaster Generate
once, being the FIRST civilian clerk appointed In
that military bureau. llefe-tuIing period OF
forty mine years-he has continued TO serve with
.l4...N aaI lA1tHE Hu In
cOrruptble integrity, the confidence Of success
sive distinguished chiefs, and winning, by hls
aiiable manners, the rePpect OF all who had per-
sOnal or oflicial intercourse with him.
At the outbreak Of the rebellion Mr.. Gordon
was invited by the rebel authorities to accept
the position Of quaTteilnaster general under the
Coniederacy, but he unhesitatingy declined,
patrioticay remarking that he had been edu.
Gated by the Government OF the United States,
had been supported by that Government, and
would stand by 1t Us long rs there was HE In hn
In consequence OF advanced age and his long
and arIuous service, the health OF Mr.. Gordon
became quite feeble some two years since, and
II was deemed expedlent, upon the creation OF
the ONCE OF chief clerk Of the Quartermaster
Generals Bureau, by the act OF Congress OF July
l, 1871, to entrust the heavy and responsible du-
ties OF the position to younger and more ener-
getic hands; and thereupon Mr.. George Finckel,
a comparatively young gentleman, but an expe-
rienCed Official, was appointed chief clerk. But
the Quarternaster General, highly approaching
the past services OF Mr.. Gordon, retained him
In the ONCE, and assigned him 10 the discharge
Of impOrtant but lighter duties, at the highest
rate OF clerical compensation allowed In the
bureau.
When Mr.. Gordons health began perceptibly
to decline his sons desired him to resign, prom
lsing, with true nllal devotion, TO amply provide
for him so long as he lived; but, with the spirit
his conduct, while deeply moved by the gener-
Gus prOlfer of his dutlful children, the old gen.
tleman replied that as long as he could WELD the
pen he would never eat the bread OF idleness.
Mt. Gordon, before stated. has two AOQA- |