Daily globe., 1878-04-23
DEATHS DOINGS.
Hon. VIM. Orton Stricken With Apoplexy
Sunday Night. Dies Yesterday Morning.

Sunday Night. Dies Yesterday Morning.
New YoRK, April 22.-Hon. VIM. Orton,
president of the Western Union telegraph
company, died this morning. The immedi-
ate cause of the death of Mr.. Orion was
apoplexy, with which be was stricken at II
o'clock last night
Last week Mr.. Orton, on returning home
evenings, complained of being very tired.
Yesterday he attended church with his FAM
lily, and during the day, while not complain
ing of feeling i'll, he stated he was very
much fatigued. Last night at II o'clock he
was stricken down with apople1y. A ply
sician was summoned and some friends of
the family called in, all of whom remained
until his death.
The career of Mr.. Orion since becoming
the head of the vast combination of tele-
graphic interest is we'll known to the public.
He was master of all its branches and con-
trolled them with conspicuous energy and
ability. The consolidation of the Atlantic
& Pacific Telegraph company with the West
ern Union, last year, was chiefly due to Mr..
Orton's efforts. In December, 1867, he es-
tablished the journal Of the Telegraph. He
spurned connection with private institutions
which were likely to interfere with devotion
to his especial duties, but he served as COM
missioner to select the site of new post Of
fee, and was one of the commission TO asses
damages to property to elevated railroads.
He had long been prominent member of
the Union League club.
Mr.. Orton leaves wife and eight children
to whom he was devotedly attached. Al
though not remarkably wealthy, he had ac-
quired competence. During the last few
years he had heavily insured his life. The
total amount of policies on his life in various
companies is represented to be from $5O, 900
to $6O,OOO.
The Eyening Post says: MIR. Orton ap-
peared in good health yesterday, and in the
morning attended the church of the Holy
Apostle. He was avestryman in this church,
and had taken much interest in it's affairs.
A collection was taken up after service yes
terday and Mr.. Orton examined the receipts,
expressing pleasure that SO large an amount
had been obtained. On retsrning to
his home, he ate dinner with a
good appetite and then went to drive
in Central park. After supper he complained
of feeling tired and went to bed at an early
hour. He awoke soon after, feeling sick,
and vomited. At II o'clock he was seized
with fit of apoplexy and his right side ap-
peared to be completely paralyzed. DR..
Banning was summoned and bleeding was
tried without effect. Mr.. Orton lay in a
comatose condition from the time of the at
tack until his death. He breathed very
heavily and apparently died from strangula-
ton or paralysis of the nerves of respiration.
DR.. Green, vice president of the Northwest
ern Union Telegraph company, was called
to Mr.. Orton's bedside at half past
two this morning, and remained till after his
death. During the last year Mr.. Orton has
appeared to be in unusually good health. He
had been frequently warned, however, that
he was in danger of over working himself.
At a meeting Of directors of his company last
Thursday he complained of fatigue, and fire.
quently put his hand to his head, as was his
habit when tired. On Saturday he was in
his Office till O'Clock in the evening, and
seemed to be not only well, but in especially
good spirits.
Mr.. Orton was fortunate in the posses
sion of active and cooperating ieutenants.
General and vice president Anson Stager in
the West, Gen. John c.. Hinchman in the
Eastern and Middle States, General Van
Horne in the South, and Jas. Gamble on the
Pacific coast.