The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-07
INDIANA AND ILLINOISNEWS
General Newell Gleason Killed by an
Accidental Fall on a Stairway.
4 Dying Wife-Murderer Strongly Guarded
Against Lynchers by Deputy Sheriffs-
Escape of HOrse-Thief- Gleanings.


Gen. Newell Gleason, OF LaPorte, Killed by
an Accidental Fan on Stairway.
Special to the Iniianspolis Journal.
LAPoRTE, July 6.-About o'clock this morn
ing. while going down the cellar stairs at his
home in this city, Gen. Newell Gleason fell to
the bottom, and when his wife reached him life
was extinct, his skull being crushed and shout
der broken. General Gleason one Of La
Porte's old and most honored citizens, and his
tragic end has deeply shocked this community
General Gleason was born in Wardsboro,
Windham county, Vermont, Aug. IL. 1924; was
raised on farm until eighteen years of age; his
early education was obtained in the common
schools of his native county. and the
academy at Swanzey, N. H., completing
his studies at the Norwich University,
Vermont, where he graduated in the
scientific department. and began teaching select
school soon after in Jamaica, VT in 1850 he
went to Bath county, Kentucky. and engaged in
teaching in the mathematical department of
the high-school. and in the following year came
to Jeffersonville, Ind. as civil engineer, max
ing preliminary survey of the Jacksonville
railroad. which survey was afterward completed.
In 1852 he was employed as assistant engineer
moved to Pickaway, and had charge of the con-
etruction, of that road. He was appointed chief
engineer of the Cincinnati, Peru & Chi
eago in 1853, his term expiring in
1906. The following. year ne was
engaged on the Dubuque e. Webster railroad at
Dubuque, where he remained until 1858, when
he went to Chicago to complete a contract with
the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne road This COM
pleted, he turned his attention to real-estate
transactions. He was commissioned lieutenant
al nf r. - Id Vel,
teers Sept. z, 1862. After seven months service
IN the field he was promoted colonel
of the regiment. He was in command
OF the regiment in the campaign AGAINST
nooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge
and Atlanta: and June q. 1864, assumed com
mand of the brigade, and held that position until
the end OF the war; closing his military
record on the march to the sea
with Sherman through the Carolinas to Colum-
brigadier general On his return homo he was
selected to serve an especial term in the LeRisla-
ture of 1866, and, at the close Of this service,
as chief engineer, he located and surveyed the
Iowa e Lansing railroad. He also surveyed and
relocated what is now part of the Peru 81 In
danapolis railway In 1869 he was chief sur
veyor of the Grand River Valley railroad. and
the following year filled the same duty for the
Grand Rapids 81 Lake Shore railroad. Com
pletiug this he was made chief engineer Of the
Ohio & Michigan road. In 1873 he filled the
same position for the Danville & Vincennes road
His health failing him in 1878 he retired from
the active duties of his profession.
General Gleason was married in 1855 to Miss
Nancy E. daughter of Judge NJ. G. Mitchell of
/ Ohio Politically General Gleason was strong
Republican. having been so since the organiza-
ton of that party. He was member of the
Civil Engineers Club of the Northwest. of the I.
o. o. F. and of Patton Post, G. A. r. He
leaves widow and only daughter, Mrs.
Childs of Des Moines, la.
The funeral will occur on Thursday morning
under the auspices of Patton Post, G. A. r., and
the /. o. o. F.