, 1884-02-21
collector Norris ncad.

" I'M e. aitr-FF lI''flh w 1 iAi-'.A4NA' s--'
drccaSe of or old friend. Collector
Morris. Of Alaska. who was carried
hayouI the realm of mortal life January
81, ISL. at Sitka, Alaska The schooner
Leo, which arrived here yesterday, 17th
inst. six days from Sitka, brought the
sud news that viii carry shock to the
hearts of hundreds of Major Morris
warm personal friends. His sickness
was brief, lasting but few days. Bright's
disease, we learn, ended his life.
William Gouyerneur Morris was
/ grandson of Lewis Gouverneur Morris,
one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. He departed this life at
the age of u years, after having received
continuous honors in way of positions of
public trust for thirty years. His father,
William Walter Morris, was graduate
of West Point He was himself gradu
ate of Harvard University, and in carly
life practiced law for Il number of years
IN California. He entered public life at
the age of u, and ever aftcrward served
the people with faithful zeal and fidelity.
When the great rebellion burst upon our
fair land, threatening the dismember-
ment of the Union, young Morris re-
iDquished his law practice and answered
his country's call, going 10 the front and
giving the best efforts of his life in the
brave, loyal work of vanquishing the
foes of freedom. For his bravery and
effective service he was brevetted Major
of volunteers. After the close of the
war he served many years with great
acceptabihty rs U. S. Marshal of Cali
fornia. He also served as clerk of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
Later on he was appointed Special
Agent Of the U. s. Treasury Depart
ment. which position he held several
years with great credit to himself and
acGeptability to the public. While act
ing IN this capacity ON the northern
coast, his attention was attracted par
ticularly to Alaska. During his official
visits TO that northern frontier he col
ieeted large amount of valuable data
which was published with his official
reports, and did more than anything
else TO bring that part of our domain into
Alaska had been greatly slandered and
misunderstood. Personal knowledge
proved to him that it had far more ad-
vantages that it had ever been popularIy
Eol 5oH Il .
have its needs supplied prompted him to
make great self-sacrifcing effort in its
behalf About four years ago he was
appointed Collector of Customs of Alaska,
which position he held till the day of his
death. He lived to witness the civil
government bill for Alaska promising
final success for the years of effort to get
that neglected part of our country prop
erly protected. Had he lived he would
doubtless have been Alaska's first COVER
nor-as he had fairly earned it. He left
q wife, but no children. The lady who
had so long shared the joys and sorrows
of the illustrious subject of this sketch
will be here on the next steamer from
the north. TO her Is extended the sym
pathy of very many friends who have
learned to respect and appreciate the
valuable life work of her husband.
Deceased was member of the Society
of the Loyal Legion, the Society of the
Cincinnatus, Masonic and other orders
A private letter to the writer hereof
states that the funeral took place Febru-
ary I'd, with imposing ceremonies and
| full military and naval honors. The
town of Sitka was deserted Oh the day of
the funeral, everybody attending. The
procession was in the following order:
Drum and fife, draped flag, company of
/ marines from q. S. S. Adams, company
of blue jackets from same vessel, hearse,
twelve pail bearers, mourners, Mrs.
Morris brother John Games, Esq, and
E. N. Brown, Deputy Collector, Com
mander J. G.. Ooghlan and officers, and
citizens. The funeral took place from
the custom house, Rev. A. e. Austin, of
the Presbyterian mission, reading the
Episcopal burial service. Mr.. E. II.
Brown, Deputy Collector, has taken
official charge of the district as acting
Collector, and will SO act until the late
Collectors successor, Mr.. French, ar
| rives.
Major Morris was man of positive
convictions, fearless to act as he deemed
| his duty led, and of course made some
bitter enemies, as all positive men do;
but his long official record is without a
stain, and the fame of his long ancestral
line of ilIustrious military and naval
heroes was preserved by him untarnish-
ed. Requiescdt IN pace.