Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-09-26
DEATH OF SECRETARY FOLGER.

His Last Illness Attributed to Worry and
Overwork in His Official Positton-He
Dies at His Home in Geneva =. A.-A
Brief Biographical Sketch.
GENEVA. N. Y, Sept 5.-Secretafy
Folger died here at 1853 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. The only persons present were
Mrs. Hart, his deceased wife's sister, DR..
Knapp, law associates, his family physician,
DIR. A. B. Smith, and his colored servant,
James. DIR. Smith and Captain J. S. Lewis
had left him but a few minutes previously.
Dr. III. Foster, who had been here two or
three times as a consulting physician, ar
rived here on the 4:45 O'Clock train and
was conveyed to the FOlger man
sion by d.. Smith. Mrs. Ernst, the Secre-
tary's sister, arrived by the same train. AT.
ter the three entered the room the dying
man gasped, and all was over. Secretary
Folger's two daughters are in the Adiron-
dacks, the elder in very feeble health. His
son, Captain Charles w. Folger. IS at AL
exandria, Va. All had been written to
come to Geneva, the telegraph not being
earlier resorted to, as so sudden a termina-
ton of the fathers malady was not appre-
hended. Captain Folger will arrive to-day.
The Secretary returned for the last time
to Geneva on Wednesday evening, August
20. He called his family physician the
next morning, who gives the following d-
agnosis of the case: Great feebleneSs Of
the hearts action, congestion of the middle
lobe of the right lung, and capillary conges-
ton of the bronchial tubes; torpor of the
liver, and albuminous discharge OF the
urine, showing disease of the kidneys.
The doctor was informed that the Secre-
tary had had hemorrhage of the lungs three
times of late, before his return. The first
time was while out yachting with friends at
| New York, on which occasion lie discharged
about a pint of blood. Secretary Folger
rode out daily until and including August
90, since Which time he has kept his room,
but did not wholly abandon his
official work. He continued to
answer important letters and tele-
grams up to yesterday, and seemed re-
luctant to give up: yet he was by no means
unconscious Of his critical condition.. lie
intrusted to his personal friend, Captain
Lewis, his final messages to his family
and other directions of a confidential nature.
Within a few moments after the Secre-
tary expired, kilograms announcing the sad
event were dispatched to President Arthur,
at Newport; Assistant Treasurer Coon,
Frank Sperry, his private secretary; Hon.
Thomas C.. Acton, Assistant Treasurer at
| New York, and Judge Andrews, of SYRIA
cuse.
General gloom pervades the people of
Geneva over the sudden removal of their
| beloved townsman. Men OF all parties and
all conditions in life alike are joining in en-
pressions of sorrow. The first emblems of
mourning displayed were above the entrance
to the quarters of the Saith separate COM
pany, Folger corps, National Guards, State
ofNew York, at the Geneva National Bank.
and upon a large Cleveland and Hendricks
hon,nr c,c,onla1 anroSc SaOpro StrnQt fHbn
Secretary will be inferred in Geneva by the
| side of his wife, who died seven years ago.
Charles James Folger was born at Nam
tucket, Mass, April 16, 1918, II livei
there until 1880, when his parents removed
to Geneva, N, Y, which he made his home
for the rest OF his life. After completing
his college course he studied law, and was
admitted TO the bar in 1889. In 1874 he
was appointed Judge of the Court of Com
mon Pleas. At that time he was a Silas
Wright Democrat or Charm BURNER" as it
was then termed. He still sided with that
wing of the party in 1S4S, when the Presi-
were %extinguisheL In 1851 he was chosen
County Judge of Ontario County as a
Democrat, and held the Office four years.
The Republican party was formed in the
State in 1856, and Judge Folger went over
to the new organization in company with
many other Democrats, among whom were
General James S. Wadsworth and Judge
Ward Hunt, Five years later, in 1861, he
was elected State Senator from the
Ontario-Seneca District, which lie repre-
scented continuously for eight years. In
1869 President Grant appointed him AS
sistant United States Treasurer for New
York City. In 1870 he was elected Judge
of the Court of Appeals (the highest
CnDrt in tim Sfafa nf Nnw NOrl-1 and NJ,
the death OF Chief Judge Church. in 1880,
he was appointed to fill the vacancy, and in
the following November was elected to the
place for the full term of fourteen years.
In November, 1881, he resigned his seat on
the bench to accept the position Of Secre-
tary of the Treasury, which was rendered
to him by President Arthur. In 1882 he
was nominated by the Republicans for
Governor of New York but was defeated
by a heavy majority.
BIOGRAPHICAL"
Judge FOlger was a man OF handsome
and striking appearance, who would be
expressive and mobile, and benevolence
beamed from his kindly eye. His
appearance was undoubtedly the most
aristocratic Of any member of the
Cabinet, not even excepting the Presi-
dent himself. Owing to recent domestic
affections he lived quietly, and has
not entertained since his residence in
Washington. He was a widower, and his
only companion aside from his private sec
rotary was his invalid daughter. His hab-
its and tastes were SIMPLE and inexpensive.
His principal enjoyment or relaxation was
horseback riding, which he INDUCED in at
all hours and seasons.
II PRESIDENT GREATLY AFFECTED.
NEWPORT. Il. L., Sept 5.-President
Arthur dined last evening with Mr.. and
Mrs. j. w. Ellis, at Fair Lawn. There
were about sixteen other guests. The
President received a telegram announcing
the death of Secretary Eolger at five o'clock,
and was greatly affected by the news.
He will attend the funeral, and hopes to
be able to attend that of Senator
Anthony also. lie has telegraphed his con-
dolence to the father OF Secretary Folger,
and ordered that the flags on the Govern
ment vessels and buildings in the vicinity
and at Port Adams be placed at half-mast
until after the funeral. The President had
intended giving a dinner to the English Adj
miral Saturday, but that will probably he
indefinitely postponed.
TIE NEWS AT THE CAPITAL.
Sent. 5,-Ihe first naws