The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-04-24
Death of Hon. william orion.


NEW YORK, April 22.-Hon. William Orton,
president of the Western Union telegraph
company, died this morning. The immediate
cause of the death of Mr.. ORION was apopleXy,
with which he was stricken at ii o'clock last
night. Last week Mr. Orion, on returning
home of evenings, complained of being very
tired. Yesterday he attended church with has
family, and during the day while not COM
planning feeling i'll he stated that he was very
much fatigued, an6 last night at ii o'clock he
was stricken down with apoplexy. a physi-
clan was summoned and the friends OF the
family called in, all OF whom remained with
William orion was born in Cuba, Allegheny
county, New York on June ii, ls26, and at the
time of his deatu was still comparatively a
late rebellion Mr.. Orton was connected with
the book lade, and was member of promi-
nent firm in this city. Ia 1852 he was appoint
ed collector of internal revenue for the sixth
district of this city, and in 1865 was appointed
commissioner OF internal revenue at WASH
ington. This office he conducted with signal
ability, and upon his retirement received from
Mr.. McCullOch, secretary of the treasury, a
graceful acknowledgement OF his dfstin-
guished services. The occasion OF this
retirement from the government office
was the tender of the position of
telegraph company unanimously voted by its
board of directors. Mr.. orion remained at the
mead OF TINS Institution until It's consolidation
with the western Union telegraph company,
a union which he himself was mainly instru-
mental IN accomplishing, when he was chosen
vice president OF the companies thus united.
Two years later. in 1865, Mr. orion was unani-
mOuSly elected preSid Mt of the Western Union
telegraph company, an Office which he con-
care of Mr.. orion since becoming the mead of
this vast combination of telegraph interests
is well knoan to the public; He was
controlled them with conspicuous energy and
ability. TIE consolidation of the Atlantic
and Pacific telegraph company with the West
ern Union last year chiefly due TO Mr..
Orton's efforts. In December. 1867, he estab-
lished the Journal of The Telegraph. He
which were likely to interfere with his devo-
ton to his especial duties, but served as COM
missioner 10 select the site of the new post
Office, and was one OF the commission TO assess
damages to property by the elevated railroad.
He had long oeen prominent member of
the union league club.
Mr.. Urton leaves wife and eight children,
to whom he was devOtsdly attached. Al
though not remarkably wealthy, he had ac-
years had heavily insured his life. The
tot an cunt OF the policies ulUn
IS reported to be from so60S to sso665p Tbe
Evening Post says: "Mr. Orion appeared in
good health yesterday, and In the morning at
was vestryman of this church and had taken
much Interest in its affairs. A collection was
taken mp after church yesterday, and Mr.. Or
ton examined the receipts expressing pleasure
that so large an amount had been obtained
On returning to his home he ate with good
appetite, then went to drive in Central park
and went TO bed at an early hour. He awoke
soon after, feeling sick, and V mited. AT IL
O'Clock he was seized with a fit of apoplexy,
and his right side appeared to be completely
paralyzed. 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 strangula-
ton or paralysis OF the nerves OF respiration.
DR. Norvin Green, vice president OF the West
ern Union telegraph company, was called TO
Mr.. Ortons bedside at 2:S1 this morning, AID
remained until after his death. During the
last year Mr.. Orion has appeared TO be in
unusually good health. He has been fire.
quently warned, however, that he was in
danger of overwotlSing himself AT meeting
of the directors of this company last Thursday
he complained OF fatigue, and frequently put
his hand TO his head, as was his habit when
tired. On Saturday be was at his Office until
O'Clock in the evening, and seemed TO be not
only well, but in es ecially good spirits Mr..
Orion was fortunate in the possession OF active
and cooperating lieutenants. General and
Vice President Arson stayed in the west, Gen.
eral John &. Hinchman in the eastern and
middle states, General John Vanhorn in the
south and James Gamble on the Pacific coast"