Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-02-15
- W IT,
DEATH OF EX-GOVExSOR JOHN
w. GEART.


DEATH OF Ex-GOvEHSOR JOHN
w. GEARy.
HARRrsBuRe, February S.-~The city
was thrown into great excitement this
morning by the announcement that eX
Governor John W. Geary had died while
at the breakfast liable in his private resi-
dence. Yesterday afternoon ut ( O'Clock
the deceased returned from New York,
where he had been for several days attend
ing to private business. In the evening
number of visitors called and remained in
pleasant conversation for several hours,
and after they departed the deceased and
Mrs. Geary retired, the family all retiring
also for the night. ......
Nothing unusual was noticed in the APP
pearaucG or bearing of the Ex-Governor.
lie was in fine spirits, ,conversed freely will
his visitors, and when he laid his head
upon his pillow was in comparatively rs
good health as he ever was in his life. At
the usual hour the family rose. Governor
Geary was in the parlor with the children,
reading the morning papers, and in pleas
ant conversation with the whole family,
until breakfast was announced AT the
Breakfast table the Governor occupied one
end and Mrs. Geary the other end of the
table, the children being ranged on both
sides. While Mrs. Gcary was engaged i'll
! helping the children nearest herself, the
Governor occupied himself in doing the
! same with those near him, and just as he
was in the act of handing some butter to
one Of them his head fell heavily on his bo-
, som, which Mrs. Gcary immediately no.
ticCd and rose to assist him, one of the ell
der children starting for physician living
next door. In the meantime the servants
came to the assistance, and when the doc
tor arrived, which was not more than three
minutes from the time OF the attack, the
pulse of the man had ceased to beat, and
life was extinct. He uttered but one deep
and heavy sigh, after his head fell upon his
bosom, and died seemingly without acute
pain.
In very short time the news Of this sad
event spread to all parts of the city, and
soou the streets were filled with anxious
inquirers, seeking either for denial or cor
roboration of the bewildering announce
ment. The confederation speedily came
in the tolliug of the bells of the city, the
firing Of signal guns from she arsenal, and
black streamer hoe;iag from the flag
staff on the dome of The Capitol.
Mrs. r. w. LambertOn was the first of
the neighbors to 20 to the assistance of the
! bereaved family, and when she entered the
dining room she discovered the PROSTATE
form OF the Governor on the tloor, he hav-
ing fallen from the chair, and Mrs. Geary
giving orders with great presence Of mind
and GOODNESS to panic-strlCken servants and
the older children. She refused to have
/ the corpse taken up stairs aud directed itn
removal to the parlor, for the reason that
/ the Ex-Governor was large in form, and
. hnr IN h.. inI fn bn
! second floor. Other neighbors entered and
/ bore the liteless form to the parlOr. Ms.
! Geary soon after broke down with the load
| of her aftliction, aud was taken to her
chamber.
I Among the first to call at the residence
| so suddenly filled with mourning, was
I Governor Ilartrauft, who offered every pos
I sible service and warm coincidence TO the
| sadly overwhelmed family. and was fol-
! lowed by Mrs. Ilartranit, who devoted her
! self in tendcrly cousoiing Mrs. Geary. Col.
! Jordan, late Secretary Of State, ana Mrs.
/ Jordan, were also speedily present, and
! were assiduOus in their attentions. Mrs.
. General Russell and many other ladies,
! and great number Of the personal friends
! of the deceased, called TO express their
/ sympathy and tender whatever service they
| corld.
| AN OFFICIAL ORDER FROM GOVERNOR
HARTRANFT
immediately after Governor Hartranft
( was informed Of the death, he issued the
/ following order:
! EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. s, 1872. I
| With profound regret the aunouncemrnt
is made to the people of the Commonwealth
that ex-Governor John w. Geary died sud
denly at his home in Harrisburg this moru-
ing.
In the midst Of the sadness and gloom
prevailing at the Capital, brietmention can
only be made at this time Of the eminent
service of the deceased as a civil officer in
early life in CalitoInia and Kansas, as a
brave and disciplined officer OF the army in
the Mexican war and during the entire re-
belliou, and his faithful performance of the
arduous duties of the Chief Executive o
this State for six years.
In this sudden removal of one occupying
high position in the land, and who looked
forward to years Of usefulness and the ell
joymont Of rest after n long life of public
service, from which he had SO lately re-
tired, we are again reminded that death il
no respeeter of persons. In respect to his
memory the following orders are hereby is
sued:
FrA-Upon receipt of this order, the
Adjutant- General win cause fifteen minute
guns TO be fired a. meredian of this day
and on the day of the funeral halfhou
guns will be fired from sunrise to the tim,
} of the moving of the funeral procession.
Secona-~The Capitol buildings to b.
draped and flags to be displayed at hall
mast.
Third The public offices will be suita
bly, draped in mourning, and will be closeC
on the day OF the fuperaL
JouN Il. HARTRANFT.
GENERAL JOHN W. GEARY, EX-GoYER
NOR OF PENNSYLVANIA.
= John w. Geary was born December 80
1919, near Mount Pleasant, in Westmore
! land county, Pennsylvania. After enjoy
ing such school facilities as existed al tina
early day, he completed his education a
/, Jefferson College, in Canonsburg, Wash
irgton county, On leaving college be de
cided 10 adopt the law as profession, au'
; was in due time admitted TO practice. iii
8 love of study also led him to master tn