The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-23
Hey York.

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/ New York.
/ DEATH OF WILLIAM oRTON, PRESIDENT OF TN,
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH cOMPASY-uI
LAST HoURs-IETEREsT1NG SKETCH OF TEL
DECEASED. ~ !
/ NEW, YoRg, April 22.--Hon. William or
| ton, president Of the Western Union Tele
graph Company, expired this morning at {
O'Clock, OF apopIexy. with which he was
struck at II O'Clock astfnight.
Last week Mr.. Orion, on returning home,
complained of being very tired. Yester.
day he attended church with bis family, and
during the day, while not complaining OF
feeling iii, he stated he was very much ia
tieued. Last night at II O'Clock he was
stricken down with apopleSy. A physi-
clan was Immediately summoned and some
friends OF the family called in, all OF whom
remained with Mr. Orion until he died.
Mr.. Orion YVES born in Cuba, ALLEGHENY
county, N. Y, June Ia, 1926, and at the time
OF his death was still, comparatively, a
young man. From 1916 to the beginning
OF the rebellion Mr.. Orion was connected
with the book-trade, and member of q
prominent firm in this city. In 1862 he was
appointed collector Of internal revenue for
the: Sixth district of this city, and in 1866 he
was appointed commissioner Of internal
revenue at Washington. This office he con.
Quoted with signal ability, and upon his re.
tirement received from Secretary H-the-
Treasury McCullock graceful acknow edg-
ment OF his distinguished services. The
occasion for his retirement from the
Government Office was the tender Of the
position OF president Of the United States
Telegraph Company, unanimously voted
by its Board of Directors. Mr.. Orion re-
NAMED at the head Of this concern until its
consolidation with the Western Union Tele-
graph Company-a union which he himself
was mainly instrumental in accomplishing
when he was chosen vice-president OF the
companies thus united. Two years later
in 1S67-Mr. Orion was unanimously elect
ed president OF the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, which office he continued
to hold until his death.
The career OF Mr.. Orion since becoming
the head of the vast combination OF teIe:
graphic interests is we'll known to the pub
lie. He was master OF all its branches, and
controlled them with conspicuous energy
and ability. The consolidation OF the AT
lantic and Pacific Telegraph Company with
the Western Union last year was chiefly
due to Mr.. Orton's efforts. In December,
1867 he established the Journal OF the Iele-
graph. He Stunned connection with p1l-
yate institutions which were likely to
interfere with his devotion to his special
duties, but he served as commissioner to
select the site Of the new post-office here,
and was one Of the commissioners to assess
damages to property by the elevated rail-
road He had long been prominent men,
Der OF the Union League Club. Mr.. Orion
leaves q wife and eight children, to whom
he was devotedly attached. Although rot
remarkably wealthy, he bad acquired a
competence. During the last few years he
had heavily insured his life. The total
amount of the policies upon his life in va
rious companies is reported to be from
$4,000 to 100000.
The Evening Pos! says: Mr.. Orion APP
pcared in good health yesterday. In the
morning he attended the Church Of the
Holy Apostle. He was vestryman OF this
church and had taken much interest in its
affairs. 4 collection was taken up after the
service yesterday. and Mr.. Orion examined
the receipts, expressing pleasure that so
large an amount had been obtained. On re-
turning to- his home he ate dinner with a
good appetite. and then went to drive in
Central Park. Aitersupper he complained
OF feeling tired and went TO bed at an early
hour. He awoke soon after. feeling sick,
and vomited. At IL O'Clock he was seized
with a fit OF apoplexy, and his right side
appeared to be completely paraIyzed. DR..
Banning was summoned, and bleeding was
tried, without effect. Mr.. orion lay in a
comatose condition from the time OF the
attack until his death. He breathed
very heavily, and apparently died from
strangulation or paralysis Of the nerves
of respiration. Dr.. V. Green, vice
president OF the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, was called to Dlr.
Orton's bedside at half-past 2 O'Clock
this morning and renamed until after his
death. Mr.. Borden, friend OF Mr.. Orion,
was also present. During the last year Mr..
Orion has appeared to be in unusually good
health He had been frequently warned,
however. that he was i'll danger OF over
working himself. At 4 meeting OF the di-
rectors OF his company last Thursday he
complained of fatigue and frequently put
his hand to his head, us was his habit when
tired. He left the room before the meeting
was over. On Saturday he was Mt his office
till 6 O'Clock in the evening, and seemed to
be not only well but in especially good
spirits.
Mr.. Orion was recently elected director
OF the Northwestern Life Insurance Com.
pany, OF Milwaukee, Wis, to scrvefor four
wears from January last. He had an insu-
rance on bis life for 100000 in said company
for the benefit OF his family.
IMPORTATION OF SILVER.
New YORK, April 22.-The steamship
Britannia, which arrived to-day, brought